Join Us for a Democratic Pedagogy Institute on October 11th

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Barre, Betsy

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Sep 24, 2024, 1:54:48 PM9/24/24
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September 24, 2024

Democratic Pedagogy Institute, October 11, 2024, 10:00AM - 3:00 PM, Benson 401D, Image of five people in conversation with different color thought bubbles over their heads

Coffee, Fruit, & Pastries

10:00 AM - 10:30 AM   |   Welcome Breakfast

Teaching for Democracy: Cultivating Civic Outcomes in an Election Year

10:30 AM - 11:45 PM   |   Morning Workshop

In this workshop, we will explore the opportunities an election year provides for developing the virtues of democratic citizenship. We’ll begin by identifying the knowledge, skills, and dispositions democracy demands and consider how these align with our course goals. We’ll then develop practical strategies for integrating these outcomes into our teaching both before and after the election. As we close, we will acknowledge potential challenges and concerns, setting the stage for the institute's later sessions.

The Challenge of Pluralism: Balancing Free Expression and Equal Respect

12:00 PM - 1:30 PM   |   Lunch Presentation

The success of both liberal democracy and higher education depends on balancing two core values: free expression and equal respect. Yet, pluralism—diverse worldviews, experiences, and identities—often pulls these values into conflict, as one person's expression of ideas can erode another's sense of being respected as an equal. We should aim to deliberate in ways that avoid these tensions, but when they do arise, we face a moral dilemma about how to prioritize competing values. In this presentation, we will share three different philosophical approaches to balancing these values in the classroom. Participants will then reflect on the merits of each approach and why reasonable people might disagree about the appropriate balance. In doing so, we’ll practice the kind of democratic deliberation we aim to foster in our classrooms—where active disagreement can lead to deeper reflection and shared growth.

"What Do I Say Now?" Strategies for Facilitating Democratic Deliberation

1:45 PM - 3:00 PM   |   Afternoon Workshop

In this session, we will reflect on hypothetical classroom scenarios that test our ability to balance candid, growth-oriented discussions with the need to support students who may feel harmed. We will review a collection of case studies, select those relevant to our specific concerns, and work with colleagues to develop strategies that help us prepare for these moments. We’ll also propose in-the-moment language to use when challenges arise, modeling a form of deliberation that balances the right to free expression with the right to be respected as an equal participant in the course.

Save the Date 04/29/24 University Teaching Conference
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Keynote Speaker:
James Lang

We are in the early phases of planning, but we know Jim will join us for two days of events starting on the 28th and running through the entire reading day of April 29th. He will discuss his newly published book, Write Like You Teach, and lead sessions on Distracted, Cheating Lessons, Small Teaching, and more!

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Advancing passionate, reflective, and evidence-informed teaching that prepares all students to live examined, purposeful lives.

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