This section offers a framework for connecting course content to a real-world policy concerns, and for facilitating a deliberative dialogue discussion where students explore their stance on a critical civic issue. The resources offer tools to facilitate discussions that can be customized for courses across the fine arts, humanities, social sciences, and STEM. The goal of the discussion is to empower students to see the connections between their stances on discipline-specific issues that affect them and the importance of voting.
This resource page contains:
This resource page contains:
- How to Facilitate a Discussion Guide
- Choosing a Topic for Discussion List
- Sample PowerPoint Presentations
- Additional Facilitator Resources
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Provides an overview of facilitating a deliberative dialogue discussion and a template for choosing a topic. The facilitator should allow at least 15 minutes for the discussion section. This activity can be used independently and ideally in conjunction with topics on the syllabus. Click here for the resource. |
Provides a list of discipline specific discussion topics/issue suggestions based on input from faculty and provides recommendations for additional materials. The list is alphabetical by topic. In order to search the document, please press CTRL+F and type the keyword. Click here to download the resource. |
SAMPLE POWERPOINTS
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What is deliberative dialogue? In an essay by Scott London (Kettering Foundation) titled Deliberative Dialogue, The Power of Thinking Together, he explains: “the purpose [of deliberative dialogue discussion] is not so much to solve a problem or resolve an issue as to explore the most promising avenues for action. Deliberative dialogue differs from other forms of public discourse — such as debate, negotiation, brainstorming, consensus-building — because the objective is not so much to talk together as to think together...In this spirit, deliberative dialogue among a group of people is aimed at establishing a framework for mutual understanding and a common purpose that transcends mere ideas and opinions. While it may not produce consensus, it can produce collective insight and judgment reflecting the thinking of the group as a whole — personal disagreements notwithstanding."
Additional Facilitator Resources:
Why facilitate a deliberative dialogue discussion in class? This is a critical time for our democracy and it is particularly vital that our students understand their role in making a difference in society, which begins with voting. In the recently released 2020 Election Imperatives report, the Institute for Democracy & Higher Education offers twelve recommendations for Faculty, Chief Academic Officers, Provosts, Deans, and Chairs to “the cause of promoting political learning and electoral participation.” Three recommendations are to “carve out classroom time to teach students how to vote,” “build and maintain community and social cohesion within your classroom and department, ” and “teach the policy questions for each field. Every discipline has public relevance.” We are pleased that these modules directly respond to the recommendations.
This work builds on the successes of the Turn Up Turnout Workshops at the University of Michigan with Democracy Works. Analysis of the workshop’s evaluations showed evidence that these discussions provide a great benefit to students. It empowered them to see the connections between the issues that affect them, their elected officials, and the importance of voting.
Additional Facilitator Resources:
- National Issues Forums Institute's With the People provides:
- Voting Issue Advisory: a guide designed to help students deliberate about what to do to keep the election system fair, honest, and secure
- The National Coalition for Dialogue and Deliberation offers a myriad of techniques and resources.
- Carnegie Mellon University’s Eberly Center for Teaching Excellence: Ground Rules expectations for classroom behavior.
- Tufts University’s Institute for Democracy & Higher Education: 2020 Election Imperatives recommends:
- Facilitating Political Discussions
- Our Common Purpose: a non-partisan report on democracy
- Project Implicit: Implicit Biases Tests for Faculty and Students
- Tufts University’s Institute for Democracy & Higher Education: 2018 Election Imperatives recommends:
- Living Room Conversations: Conversation Guide
- Diversity & Democracy, Student and Institutional Engagement in Political Life. Vol. 18, No. 4, Fall 2015 : Student Engagement Guide
- National Issues Forums: Forum Guides
- Campus Election Engagement Project's Voter Education offers:
- Talking About Elections In Your Classrooms: a guide on why election-related conversations in your classroom matter and suggestions on conducting them
- Incorporating Election Engagement into Your Courses: classroom approaches to help students participate as informed voters
- Student Newspapers: a guide on how campus newspapers can cover elections
Why facilitate a deliberative dialogue discussion in class? This is a critical time for our democracy and it is particularly vital that our students understand their role in making a difference in society, which begins with voting. In the recently released 2020 Election Imperatives report, the Institute for Democracy & Higher Education offers twelve recommendations for Faculty, Chief Academic Officers, Provosts, Deans, and Chairs to “the cause of promoting political learning and electoral participation.” Three recommendations are to “carve out classroom time to teach students how to vote,” “build and maintain community and social cohesion within your classroom and department, ” and “teach the policy questions for each field. Every discipline has public relevance.” We are pleased that these modules directly respond to the recommendations.
This work builds on the successes of the Turn Up Turnout Workshops at the University of Michigan with Democracy Works. Analysis of the workshop’s evaluations showed evidence that these discussions provide a great benefit to students. It empowered them to see the connections between the issues that affect them, their elected officials, and the importance of voting.
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