Do you want to be able to engage students in thoughtful, intentional conversations about critical events and issues impacting our world, such as the upcoming U.S. presidential election or the Israel-Palestine conflict? This workshop, facilitated by experienced JMU leaders in dialogue, deliberation, and collaboration, will help you gain confidence in guiding and shaping productive class conversations about difficult topics.

Approaches addressed will include

1. Intentionally designing your course and assignments
2. Co-creating class discussion agreements with students
3. Encouraging curious perspective sharing
4. Developing deliberative questions for exploring complex issues
5. Making difficult conversations approachable

Pair this session with any of the five “BYO Lunch and Learn Series: Facilitating Better Conversations in the Classroom” sessions to dive deeper and increase your impact. Faculty can attend any or all of the BYO Lunch and Learn series sessions.

Partnered with the Institute for Constructive Advocacy and Dialogue (ICAD)

Dates, Times & Locations

• Thursday, 9/19, from 1:00 - 2:00 PM
  • Madison Union Taylor 204
• Wednesday, 10/2, from 2:30 - 3:30 PM
  • Online via Zoom (The Zoom link will be provided either with the email registration confirmation and by email with the program reminder the day before the event.)
• Friday, 11/15, from 12:30 - 1:30 PM
  • Madison Union Taylor 206

Facilitators

• Rob Alexander, ICAD & CAL
• Lori Britt, ICAD & CAL
• Kara Dillard, Madison Center for Civic Engagement & CAL

Genre: Workshop

Identifying strategies for shaping and guiding difficult conversations in class

Our programs are intended for JMU faculty or staff only! If you are a student or administrator and would like to attend, please email cfi@jmu.edu with your request. Refer to the CFI Programs & Events webpage for detailed information and an instructional video on how to use the registration portal!

LOG IN: If this is your first time visiting the registration page, your account will be created automatically when you sign in with your JMU e-ID and password (DUO required). Be sure to clear your browser cache/cookies upon each visit to the registration page.

• Complete your profile information:
  • Update your college/division and department (use the search feature and/or select from the dropdown) and enter your Mail Stop Code (MSC) for your department on-campus mail.
  • Add comments about your dietary & accommodation needs at the bottom of the profile form. (This information is collected and stored with your online account for all future programs you may attend.)
• Once your profile is complete, you should see a status update as complete on your Dashboard (an overview of your account).

Register by 11:59 PM, two days prior to the respective program date.

If you find that you are unable to attend a scheduled event prior to the registration deadline, please return to your CFI Program Account and cancel your registration. If it is after the event registration deadline email cfi@jmu.edu as early as possible.

CFI programs will be canceled automatically if JMU is closed for inclement weather.

We want this program to be welcoming, accessible, and inclusive for all of our participants. Please describe any considerations or accommodations (e.g., dietary, disability, wellness, cultural, etc.) you want us to know about in your account profile. You may also reach out to us at cfi@jmu.edu or (540) 568-4846.