Overview
The Institute for Humane Studies invites applications for “Civil Discourse in a Polarized World,” an interdisciplinary conversation examining challenges to civil discourse in today’s polarized environment, as well as opportunities to leverage civil discourse to reduce polarization and rebuild trust.
Join us online for a seminar-style conversation led by Andrew J. Cohen, professor of philosophy at Georgia State University. Participants will interact with a small group of scholars for an in-depth discussion.
While the conversation will be open-ended, please come prepared to discuss the following three readings. The first two are available through most academic libraries. IHS will provide you with a copy of the third selection.
- “On Democratic Backsliding,” Nancy Bermeo (Journal of Democracy, Volume 27, Number 1, January 2016, pp. 5–19)
- “Mainstream Parties in Crisis: Overcoming Polarization,” Jennifer McCoy, Murat Somer (Journal of Democracy, Volume 32, Number 1, January 2021, pp. 6–21)
- “Civil Discourse, Polarization, and Guidelines for Discourse” in Engaging Each Other: Why and How, Andrew J. Cohen (manuscript)
The conversation will take place online on Thursday, May 30, beginning with opening remarks at 4:30 PM Eastern Time and concluding at 6:00 PM. If you have research interests in this area, we encourage you to apply for this opportunity.
Discussion Leader
Andrew J. Cohen, Georgia State University
Schedule
*All times are listed in Eastern Time
Thursday, May 30
4:15 PM | Room Opens
4:30 PM | Welcome and Introductions
4:45 PM | Discussion
6:00 PM | Closing Remarks