Talking to others with different ideologies is harder than ever in these polarized times. If it’s difficult for us, how do we even begin to help students engage thoughtfully with ideas and people they disagree with? And how do we respond to spontaneous discussions of controversial issues in the classroom?

Dr. John Zachman spent his sabbatical last spring investigating these tough questions and developing practical answers. He will join us at our Nov. 7 Friday Forum to share his research in his presentation, Democratic Deliberation in the College Classroom: Practical Approaches to Promoting Rigorous Analysis of Controversial Issues. Topics covered in his talk will include:

• Current obstacles to engaging in deliberation with others.
• The importance of developing in our students the ability to rationally analyze controversial issues. 
• Why engaging students in thoughtful analyses of key issues is essential to the health of our political society, as well as to their own personal autonomy.
• A sampling of pedagogical approaches that will help to overcome the obstacles our students face in engaging with ideas that they see as hostile to their beliefs and their identities.

While John’s research is centered in his discipline of political science, he will also offer insights on strategies for guiding discussions of controversial topics that arise organically. For instructors in the technical fields, he will offer suggestions for guiding discussions around ethical issues. Even if none of these situations apply, John says his presentation will be relevant to all faculty who are interested in “the broader liberal arts mission of colleges and universities.” We wholeheartedly agree!

 We hope you will join us Nov. 7 in Osterlin 205 for lunch at 12:30 followed by John’s presentation at 1.