Announcements

How should we engage in meaningful, productive disagreement, discussion, and problem-solving with others, especially when the issue at hand is highly contentious and politicized? This is the fundamental question the DCI has been working to answer, and we believe there is a way to do it well. We can disagree respectfully, we can discover the truth in spite of—and indeed, because of—our differences, and we can solve pressing issues democratically using the tools of deliberative democracy.

Deliberation, as we see it at the DCI, is a method of discussion that enables citizens—broadly construed so as not to limit this notion to persons with one particular legal status—to state their views and the presuppositions behind them, reconstruct the arguments for their positions, and to make progress toward solutions to problems where there is entrenched disagreement.

Although this can sometimes happen organically in conversation or in the political sphere, the DCI came about in part because this is so difficult to achieve. After all, we cannot claim to be immune from falling into echo chambers, falling prey to motivated reasoning, relying on fallacious reasoning, or even from failing to be able to articulate the main reasons for the views we hold in the face of criticism from another.

On the other hand, we can also be so uncomfortable in the face of disagreement that we would rather not engage—and we either decide to simply agree to disagree or to shut each other out. But living together requires making decisions together and coming to a shared understanding of difficult problems, at least to some extent.

Our experience, and the experience of similar programs around the world, has found that well-trained and intentional facilitators can help participants overcome these obstacles and engage in meaningful and productive deliberation, even when they disagree deeply. This is why the DCI is hosting its sixth Deliberation Facilitator Training Program this year. The training will take place over two sessions from 1:30 pm to 5:30 pm, one on Saturday, Sept. 7^th and the other on Saturday, Sept. 14^th. The sessions complement each other are required components of the training. Virtual and in-person options are available, but space is limited so sign up soon if you are interested. 

This hands-on and interactive program enables participants to lead deliberation sessions in their community, with colleagues, with their families, or in their classrooms, and to facilitate DCI-hosted forums on matters of public interest. The DCI supports facilitators with learning materials we send out before the training days, and participants get a chance to practice facilitating a mock deliberation.

Do you feel your community, your family, your students, or your colleagues would benefit from deliberating about an issue with the help of a trained facilitator? Then sign up here by Monday, Sept. 2^th!

“The study materials were excellent. Reading them ahead of time helped me understand positions that differed from my own, and I recognized that issues were often more complex than I had anticipated. The discussion format of sharing the strongest and weakest arguments for both sides encouraged reflection. Participants usually chose different arguments which deepened my understanding of the issues and respect for opinions different from my own.”

This fall the DCI is excited to host its ninth round of D Teams! The focus of the teams’ discussions will be on three issues related to the themes of diversity, liberty, and democracy. Read more below to learn more — Registration for Fall 2024 D Teams is open until September 6, 2024 (Know you want to sign up? Register here.).

What are D Teams?

D Teams are small teams of about 6-10 people that meet three times per semester in order to discuss contentious topics in productive ways, and to pave the way toward catalyzing creative solutions to difficult problems in the public sphere. D Teams may meet in person or virtually.

A few things make the D Team experience unique compared to other discussions about controversial topics. First, D Team discussions are facilitated by a DCI Fellow who has been trained in the kind of facilitation that leads to good discussions. Second, D Team participants get access to deliberation guides designed specifically for each topic that they discuss. And third, D Teams provide an opportunity to connect meaningfully with others beyond one’s immediate social or professional circle. You can learn more about the background and structure of this program here.

It was my first DCI experience, and I was not sure quite what to expect. I was one of 2 non-students on our team, and part of the draw to participate was to hear and learn from current students how they think and feel about such a difficult, complex, politically-charged topic. It was an enlightening and encouraging experience; I came away more hopeful, and impressed by the DCI initiative.

—D Team Participant

What are the topics of discussion for Fall 2024?

For our Fall 2024 D Teams, we are planning to focus on several important topics related to the interrelated values of diversity, liberty, and democracy. The overarching question is how should communities and societies best think about and advance these different values, particularly when they may be in tension with one another.

Our plan is to start the first session with a focus on the role of protest in society, and given the protests at colleges and universities this past spring, campus protests in particular. Then in their second session, the teams will move to a broader discussion about “defensive democracy” and the challenge of defending democracy from anti-democratic forces. We will end the Fall D Team series with a third discussion on the role of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in the workplace and higher education. Each of these issues involves important questions about diversity, liberty, and democracy, and can help us better understand and grapple with the tensions that can emerge among them.

Conversations about Diversity, Liberty, and Democracy

1. Campus Protests: How should universities and colleges handle protests and promote a healthy exchange of ideas on their campuses?

This discussion will first focus on the nature and goals of protest more generally before turning to the specific case of campus protests. It will explore reasons why college administrators might want to permit protests on campus as well as why they might want to restrict such protests., particularly as they relate to the broader goals of higher education. Participants will then discuss college and university responses to protests related to the Israel-Hamas war as a means to identify, evaluate, and prioritize policies that college officials should and should not implement in response to protests more generally.

2. Defensive Democracy: How can we best protect democratic values and institutions from internal and external threats?

Concerns about “democratic backsliding” have proliferated in recent years, and they beg the question – what should be done in response? This discussion will first explore the evidence and reasons for such backsliding, and then will examine the state of democracy in the United States. Participants will then deliberate about what “defensive democracy” measures are and are not justified. Should democracies place limits on freedom of speech or on candidates and parties in the interest of defending their democratic processes, for example?

3. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI): How effective are DEI practices in promoting equality, justice, and belonging in the workplace, the education sector, and society more broadly?

Efforts to promote DEI have proliferated in recent years, both in the workplace and on college campuses. Proponents believe these initiatives have been critically important and generally effective at advancing their goals; opponents have viewed them as unnecessary, largely ineffective, and contrary to the values of equality and fairness. This discussion will first explore the different meanings of diversity, equity, and inclusion before assessing the arguments for and against attempting to advance them in society. Participants will also examine specific DEI policies being implemented both in the workplace and in higher education.   

Why did we choose these topics?

The DCI solicited feedback on potential topics that were suggested by the DCI Fellows and former D Team participants via a survey that was shared within the Davidson community and the DCI’s online community — our blog and newsletter subscribers and Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and X followers. These topics were among the top choices that our survey respondents were interested in discussing, and they are all timely in their own ways. Finally, although the topics are substantively different, they all present an opportunity to engage with pressing public debates that are ongoing in the United States and around the world.

I was very grateful to have this kind of opportunity to have these conversations in a context where I knew I shared something with all other participants even though we are in many different stages and paths in life.

—D Team Participant

How do I sign up?

Registration for Fall 2024 D Teams is open until September 6, 2024. Sign up today and help us build a better democracy, one conversation at a time.

This past year the DCI was able to accomplish a remarkable amount, and its successes have been in large part made possible by the contributions of our DCI Assistant Director, Sara Copic. Whether it was meeting with the DCI Fellows, working on deliberation and pathways guides, planning the logistics of upcoming events and programs, or serving as the moderator of our AI Deliberative Forum, Dr. Copic helped the DCI expand its impact significantly in the 2023-24 academic year. Her recent departure from Davidson is therefore bitter-sweet – we are excited for her as she takes on a new opportunity but are sad that it will take her away from us.

Given the importance of Dr. Copic’s contributions, we have initiated a search for a new Assistant Director of the DCI. Priority review of applications will begin on June 3, 2024, and will continue until the position is filled. If you know anyone who might be interested, please forward the job description for the position on to them. The Assistant Director assists with the development, implementation, and assessment of the DCI’s programs and components. These components include efforts to create opportunities for productive dialogue and deliberation in diverse classroom settings, outside of the classroom, and in the community.