Deliberative Citizenship Initiative

Building Democracy One Conversation at a Time

Sara Copic

A Night of Eating Ice Cream and Deliberating GOATs

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Davidson students in 900 room at 9

On March 12th, Davidson students gathered in the 900 Room at 9:00 to deliberate about the greatest of all time in music, movies, and Davidson life! The event was hosted by the DCI Fellows, and led by Senior Fellows LJ Phillips ’25 and Body Bassett ’25 and Fellows Logan Jain ’26 and Emre Guvenilir ’25.

The event was organized as a competitive deliberative event, and students enjoyed presenting competing arguments about what the best dorms at Davidson are, who the greatest basketball players of all time are, and all manner of similarly lighthearted but contentious topics. There were ice cream sundaes and premium prizes like DCI-themed Stanley cups. All in all the event was a great success, as it introduced students to the practices and principles of deliberation in a fun and engaging atmosphere.

This was the DCI’s second Deliberating GOATs event, and it is quickly becoming a campus tradition. We hope to see you next spring!

Commons Conversations with Byron McCrae

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This week, the DCI continues our Spring 2024 Commons Conversations program with special guest, Dean Byron McCrae! Davidson students, join us Thursday, April 4th at 12:15 PM in the Annex at Vail Commons for a conversation about Davidson’s first year experience. The topic of discussion will be: Transitioning to College: How Can Davidson Improve Students’ First Year Experience? Seats are limited, so register on WildcatSync today!

Commons Conversations is a series of deliberative chats over lunch at Vail Commons and is open to all Davidson students. We have invited five faculty and staff members to host these conversations on topics relevant to their academic or professional expertise. At each session, these conversation hosts will briefly introduce the topic of conversation and share a few of their own insights on it. Students joining the lunch will then have an opportunity to discuss the topic with one another and the host in a conversation guided by our DCI Fellows, who are trained deliberation facilitators.

We hope to see you there!

“Safe Spaces: Benefits & Drawbacks” A Commons Conversation with Patricio Boyer

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Next Friday, the DCI is continuing our Spring 2024 Commons Conversations program with special guest, Professor Patricio Boyer! Davidson students, join us Friday, March 22nd at 11:15 AM in the Annex at Vail Commons for a conversation about safe spaces. The topic of discussion will be: Safe Spaces: Benefits and Drawbacks. Seats are limited, so register on WildcatSync today!

Commons Conversations is a series of deliberative chats over lunch at Vail Commons and is open to all Davidson students. We have invited five faculty and staff members to host these conversations on topics relevant to their academic or professional expertise. At each session, these conversation hosts will briefly introduce the topic of conversation and share a few of their own insights on it. Students joining the lunch will then have an opportunity to discuss the topic with one another and the host in a conversation guided by our DCI Fellows, who are trained deliberation facilitators.

We hope to see you there!

“Across the Straits:” A Commons Conversation with Shelley Rigger

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This Friday, the DCI is kicking off our Spring 2024 Commons Conversations program with special guest, Professor Shelley Rigger! Davidson students, join us this Friday, February 23rd at 11:15 AM in the Annex at Vail Commons for a conversation about U.S., China, and Taiwan relations. The topic of discussion will be: Across the Straits: Should the U.S. Defend Taiwan if China Invades? Space is limited, so register on WildcatSync today!

Commons Conversations is a series of deliberative chats over lunch at Vail Commons and is open to all Davidson students. We have invited five faculty and staff members to host these conversations on topics relevant to their academic or professional expertise. At each session, these conversation hosts will briefly introduce the topic of conversation and share a few of their own insights on it. Students joining the lunch will then have an opportunity to discuss the topic with one another and the host in a conversation guided by our DCI Fellows, who are trained deliberation facilitators.

We hope to see you there!

DCI Spring Program Announcement: Commons Conversations

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This spring, the DCI is partnering with Davidson faculty and staff to kick off a new iteration of our Commons Conversations program! Commons Conversations is a series of deliberative chats over lunch at Vail Commons and is open to all Davidson students. We have invited five faculty and staff members to host these conversations on topics relevant to their academic or professional expertise. At each session, these conversation hosts will briefly introduce the topic of conversation and share a few of their own insights on it. Students joining the lunch will then have an opportunity to discuss the topic with one another and the host in a conversation guided by our DCI Fellows, who are trained deliberation facilitators.

All Commons Conversations events will take place in the Vail Commons Annex. Meal swipes will be provided to all participants who are not on a full meal plan.

Below is our list of faculty and staff hosts that we have scheduled for this spring. A week or two before each Commons Conversation, we will share more information about the topic of conversation and how to register to attend (seats are limited and available on a first-come, first-serve basis).

We hope you’ll decide to join us for this series focused on the Davidson student community!

Friday, February 23, 11:15 am to 12:15 pm

Shelley Rigger, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty, Brown Professor of Asian Politics

Friday, March 22, 11:15 am to 12:15 pm

Patricio Boyer, E. Craig Wall, Jr., Distinguished Teaching Professor in the Humanities and Director of the Humanities Program | Associate Professor of Hispanic Studies

Thursday, April 4, 12:15 am to 1:15 pm

Byron McCrae, Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students

Thursday, April 18, 11:10 am to 12:10 pm

Shyam Gouri-Suresh, James W. Cannon Professor of Economics and Rizwan Zamir, Associate Professor of Religious Studies

Thursday, April 25, 11:10 am to 12:10 pm

Chris Clunie, Vice President & Director of Athletics