Civil Discourse Initiative

The Civil Discourse Initiative was created by the Office of the Provost and the Division of Student Affairs as a proactive response to address concerns about trends in national discourse in the context of events both national and international. Across the country, in the context of the presidential election, we are seeing a great deal of disrespectful language in the media and, unfortunately, sometimes at family gatherings. 

A group of faculty and administrators have joined together to run several events to help members of our community grow strategies to participate in respectful discourse on contentious issues and to help move disrespectful conversations into civil conversation.  More information regarding these events is below.

In addition, resources for faculty that may be helpful to keep class discussions respectful and civil are located here.  These resources include some that which are more relevant to proactive approaches (before a difficult discussion occurs), while others are more relevant as reactive approaches (when students have already entered into a heated discussion).  

It cannot be emphasized enough the fact that as an institution of higher education, we cannot and must not eschew difficult conversations about contentious matters.  Rather, we must engage in those conversations with our students, as relevant to our courses and disciplines, in ways that model respectful discourse, academic rigor, and intellectual curiosity. This approach provides our students not only with skills for today’s polarized society, but skills they will use their whole lives long. 

Civil Discourse Initiative Events:

Upcoming Events: 

The Other Son (2012) tells the story of complex repercussions that face two families-one Israeli, one Palestinian-after learning that their 18 year old sons were accidentally switched at birth.

Metropolitan Campus: Tuesday, September 24^th 8:00 p.m. Greg Olsen Student Union, Rutherford Room.

Florham Campus: Thursday, September 26^th 8:00 p.m. Twombly Lounge.

Vancouver Campus: Thursday, September 26^th 3:00 p.m. Room 130, Cambie Campus.

A discussion facilitated by Professor Jordon Nowotny and Jim Om, Director of Campus Ministry will immediately follow.

Thursday, September 26, 4:00 PM EST 

Faculty and Staff Workshop:  Managing Difficult Conversations https://fdu.zoom.us/j/98229992920

Please join us for our first Provost Leadership Council workshop for this year titled, Managing Conversations. This workshop will focus on how best to address any difficult conversations which may arise in your classroom spaces, with a focus on civil discourse. Presenters will discuss best practices to not only set up the classroom experience with your students at the start of the academic year but also how to navigate and move forward when difficult conversations arise. 

For this workshop we will have the following faculty partners, in no particular order, Ayana Dasilva, Lecturer in our MSW program, Robert McGrath, Professor in our School of Psychology and Counseling, Tiffany Timberman, Lecturer in our MSW Online Program, Ben Freer, Professor and Director of the School of Psychology and Counseling, Madelyn Ferrans, Senior Lecturer in Social Sciences and History. 

All FDU faculty and staff are welcome to participate in this workshop. Please note this workshop will only be taking place via Zoom on the date and time below. We have provided for a later time in order to ensure that our Vancouver colleagues are able to join.  

Past Event: Metro Lead Now Workshop: Managing Difficult Conversations: A Path Toward Enhancing Civility was held on September 18, 2024

Vancouver Campus