On Friday, September 27, an engaged group of 20 faculty members, professional staff, and community members from various universities and colleges gathered for the Fall 2024 DeeP Collaborative Panel to explore the integration of deliberation into higher education classrooms. Professors Jason Blum (Davidson), Yingling Liu (North Central College), and Mindy Adnot (UNC Charlotte) shared their insights and experiences as part of the Deliberative Pedagogy (DeeP) Collaborative.
These educators are not only experts in their fields—Writing, Sociology, and Honors Program Leadership—but they also bring a wealth of experience in fostering discussions around complex topics in their classrooms. Each panelist discussed their unique approaches in courses such as Religion in the Public Square, Introduction to Sociology, and Labor, Leisure, Learning, and a Good Life.
To start off the event, Graham Bullock, Faculty Director of the Deliberative Citizenship Initiative, provided a brief overview of what constitutes a “deliberative classroom.” Attendees also engaged in discussions on how to implement these strategies in their own teaching practices.
Here is what our panelists had to say about their involvement in the DeeP Collaborative:
“[The] DeeP Collaborative is really great for bringing new stuff into the classroom. No matter where you are, in disciplinary terms, I think it can be super useful.” – Jason Blum
“The training, the reading, the materials were great, the cohort, and the exposure to other people’s pedagogical ideas and innovations. It was all wonderful.” – Mindy Adnot
“I will say my experience was very rewarding and given that I wasn’t sure how it was going to play out with my school situation. I think it all worked out well. I would definitely recommend to others.” – Yingling Liu
Are you a faculty or professional staff member eager to enhance deliberative practices within your courses? We invite you to explore our DeeP Collaborative program, designed to empower educators like you to cultivate meaningful discussions and engagement among students. This is a fantastic opportunity to deepen your skills and transform your teaching methods. Be sure to keep an eye out for next year’s application process; we would love to have you join us in this initiative. Your involvement can play a crucial role in fostering a more interactive and thoughtful learning environment that benefits both you and your students.
Due to inclement weather associated with Hurricane Helene, the panel was held online over Zoom. You are welcome to check out the recording of the event below.
