What We Teach

CMN 740: Understanding Civil Discourse in Practice

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Instructor: Professor Lydia Reinig

Civil discourse represents meaningful forms of communication that provide citizens space to talk about pressing social issues together in ways that move away from adversarial disengagement and towards mutual understanding and vibrant democratic processes. As a capstone experience, this course employs qualitative research methods to investigate the ways participants engage...

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CMN 785: Communication and Deliberation Across Differences

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Instructor- Jennifer Borda

Deliberation entails bringing people together in conversation across difference to discover shared values, and to identify key tensions, in order to explore possible solutions to thorny public problems. The process of deliberative inquiry requires listening, exploring unbiased facts, analyzing adversarial perspectives, weighing options, negotiating tradeoffs, and finding where various interests overlap and can be joined to a shared future. This course will focus on the art of rhetoric in a civic context, or how students may engage with the...

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CMN 696: Seminar in Media Studies- Cultural Policy and Citizenship

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Instructor - Joseph terry

Despite accounting for 1/10,000th of the federal budget, a much-discussed point of contention during the 2012 and 2016 Presidential Elections involved federal support for public television, radio, and the National Endowment of the Arts in the United States.  This course addresses the rationale and impact of policy interventions and subventions within the media, cultural, and arts industries.  Even though we are surrounded by policy interventions and organizations aimed at providing support to arts and culture on a local, regional,...

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CMN 635: Contemplative Media Studies

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Instructor - Kevin Healey

Contemplative Media Studies involves the application of contemplative practices and principles to the critical analysis of media content, technology, and institutions. It links Media Studies to Contemplative Studies, which integrates empirical social-science research (neuroscience, psychology) to first-person practices like meditation, yoga, and art therapy. Through academic essays and arts-based assignments, students strive to become more mindful digital citizens-creative yet critical, hopeful yet judicious with regard to the current and future...

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CMN 540: Special Topics in Communication, Introduction to Civil Discourse

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INstructor - Lydia Reinig

From our classrooms to our social media feeds, and our living rooms to our legislature, the vibrancy of our democracy hinges on how we talk about politics together.  And yet, more often than not, these conversations are fraught with challenges and complications that can have adverse consequences for civic life. Introduction to Civil Discourse steps into the agora of civic discussion to consider: How do we talk about politics together in ways that foster the types of meaningful engagement we seek?  To begin to...

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CMN 562 Collaborative Leadership

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Instructor - professor renee heath

This course grounds the study of interaction in groups via theories of inter-organizational collaboration. Students will leave this course with a very specific set of knowledge and skills related to dialogue, principled negotiation, constructive conflict, consensus decision making and appreciative inquiry. Lessons focus on the development of a responsible ethic regarding how to share power among diverse group members. This ethic prepares you to lead collaborative groups in organizations, communities, and as family members. 

CMN 662 Public Dialogue & Deliberation

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Instructor - Professor Renee Heath

This course explores the theory behind the practice of public dialogue and deliberation. It considers the distinctions and appropriateness of different types and aims of public participation, and how to best facilitate conversations important in the public sphere. The course anchors civil discourse as vital to democracy. Students will design, organize, and implement a public dialogue on campus, facilitating discussions on a relevant topic serving our community. Students marry practice with deep consideration of issues of equity, diversity,...

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