Benson Center for the Study of Western Civilization

Benson Center for the Study of Western Civilization This is the official page of the University of Colorado Boulder Bruce D. Benson Center for the Study of Westernn Civilization.

This page is intended to provide information about the CU Boulder Bruce D. Benson Center for the Study of Western Civilization (the "Benson Center.") While we encourage you to share comments and interact with us, we will review all content and comments and remove any that contain threats, obscenity, duplicate posts, illegal suggestions, advertisements/SPAM/solicitation, or do not relate to the CU Boulder Benson Center. The University of Colorado Boulder Benson Center's page abides by Facebook’s Statement of Rights and Responsibilities and asks you to do the same. In particular, please do not “post unauthorized commercial solicitations (such as spam)”; “bully, intimidate, or harass any user”; “post content that is hateful, threatening, pornographic, or that contains nudity or graphic or gratuitous violence”; or “do anything unlawful, misleading, malicious, or discriminatory” on the University of Colorado Boulder Benson Center page. Facebook encourages all users to utilize the “Report” links when they find content that violates Facebook policy. The University of Colorado Boulder Benson Center page is not the place to discuss academic advising, individual academic progress or report criminal activity. Users are expected to abide by applicable laws, regulations, rules and policies including the University’s Student Code of conduct, the University's Discrimination and Harassment Policy, and other regulations and policies concerning public communications. Comments, images and other content posted to this page do not necessarily represent the opinions of the University. By participating on this page you acknowledge this policy and agree to the terms above.

Mark your calendars! In one week, on Thursday, October 15th, Hollis Robins, Professor of English at the University of Ut...
10/08/2026

Mark your calendars! In one week, on Thursday, October 15th, Hollis Robins, Professor of English at the University of Utah, is coming to CU Boulder to discuss AI's effects on universities.

Students are already using AI. The real question is whether universities will teach them to master it or let it master them.

More on this event in the coming days!

THEY SAID IT FIRST:Every new technology gets accused of making us think less. The first written accusation is 2,400 year...
10/05/2026

THEY SAID IT FIRST:

Every new technology gets accused of making us think less. The first written accusation is 2,400 years old.

In Plato's Phaedrus, an Egyptian king warns that the new invention of writing will make people forgetful. They'll look wise without actually being wise.

This exact issue is happening in our society today. AI is being accused of ruining memory and critical thinking skills. Proving that some debates never change.

10/01/2026

Paul Carrese shares his view on what recent acts of political violence say about higher education and civic culture in America.

This past weekend the Benson Center's had great discussions at our Adam Smith Forum! Always grateful for the opportunity...
09/30/2026

This past weekend the Benson Center's had great discussions at our Adam Smith Forum! Always grateful for the opportunity to learn from each other!

Thank you to everyone who attended!

The Benson Center had an amazing afternoon exploring the kleroterion, an ancient Athenian device used to randomly select...
09/25/2026

The Benson Center had an amazing afternoon exploring the kleroterion, an ancient Athenian device used to randomly select jurors!

Thank you to our speaker, Justin Blessinger, for sharing his knowledge about the device and generously donating the kleroterion to the Benson Center! We are so grateful to have this device to continue sharing its history with our community!

Thank you for everyone who joined us for this afternoon of history and discussion!

Thank you to everyone who joined us on Monday for Western Civilization Trivia Night! 📚The theme of the trivia was Colora...
09/23/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us on Monday for Western Civilization Trivia Night! 📚

The theme of the trivia was Colorado’s sesquicentennial and the United State’s semiquincentennial.

Congratulations to our winning team! 🏆

Have you ever wondered how ancient Athens selected jurors?Join the Benson Center at our Athenian Kleroterion event this ...
09/22/2026

Have you ever wondered how ancient Athens selected jurors?

Join the Benson Center at our Athenian Kleroterion event this upcoming Thursday, September 24th, in Norlin M549 from 12-1:30 PM! We'll be taking a look at the kleroterion, an ancient Athenian device used to randomly select jurors!

Justin Blessinger, a professor of English at Dakota South University and a scholar, will talk about his experience studying the kleroterion and demonstrate how it accurately creates random selection.

Following the demonstration, Benson Center's Visiting Scholar Joseph Bottum will discuss the political theory of sortition and random selection.

We can't wait to see all of you there this Thursday!

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Constitution Day event! 🇺🇸We are grateful for Dr. Paul Carrese for leading a...
09/21/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Constitution Day event! 🇺🇸

We are grateful for Dr. Paul Carrese for leading an engaging talk and sharing his insights at the event!

This event was a meaningful way to celebrate the ideas and principles that shape our nation!

09/17/2026

Benji Backer speaks on Donald Trumps attitude and tone shift involving climate change.

Talk from 2024.

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY:On September 17, 1787, 39 delegates came together to sign the United States Constitution. Nearly ...
09/17/2026

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY:

On September 17, 1787, 39 delegates came together to sign the United States Constitution. Nearly 240 years later, the Constitution is still one of the most important documents in Western history. It helped establish separation of powers, individual liberties, and limited government.

This Constitution Day, the Benson Center welcomes you to reflect on these principles. What clause of the Constitution do you think matters most right now?

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2480 Kittredge Loop Rd.
Boulder, CO
80309

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