John D. Inazu
Sally D. Danforth Distinguished Professor of Law and Religion
John D. Inazu is the Sally D. Danforth Distinguished Professor of Law and Religion at Washington University in St. Louis, where he also holds a courtesy appointment in Political Science. His scholarship focuses on the First Amendment freedoms of speech, assembly, and religion, and he is one of the leading voices on pluralism and civil discourse in American public life. He holds a Ph.D. in Political Science in addition to his J.D. and has authored several widely read books, including Confident Pluralism and Learning to Disagree. He is the founder of The Carver Project, a nonprofit that connects university, church, and society.
Teaching Style
Professor Inazu creates a classroom atmosphere that models the civil discourse he champions in his scholarship. He uses the Socratic method to explore sensitive topics around religion, speech, and assembly with intellectual rigor and genuine respect for diverse viewpoints. His cold calls encourage students to articulate and defend positions they may not personally hold, pushing them to understand multiple perspectives on contested constitutional questions. Classes are thoughtful and deliberate, with an emphasis on careful reasoning about deeply held values.
Cold Call Tips
- 1Be prepared to engage respectfully with perspectives you disagree with, as Professor Inazu models and expects civil discourse
- 2Understand the historical development of First Amendment freedoms, especially the often-overlooked freedom of assembly
- 3Read the relevant constitutional text carefully and be ready to discuss textual versus purposive approaches to the First Amendment
- 4Think about how legal pluralism operates in practice and how the law mediates deep moral disagreements
Areas of Expertise
Education
- Ph.D. in Political Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- J.D., Duke University School of Law
- B.S.E. in Civil Engineering, Duke University
Notable Publications
- Liberty's Refuge: The Forgotten Freedom of Assembly (Yale University Press, 2012)
- Confident Pluralism: Surviving and Thriving Through Deep Difference (University of Chicago Press, 2016)
- Learning to Disagree: The Surprising Path to Navigating Differences with Empathy and Respect (Zondervan, 2024)