We are pleased to announce a call for applications for the fourth annual faculty summer seminar, “Teaching Civil Discourse in the Classroom,” made possible by a generous grant from the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations, and co-sponsored by the UNC Program for Public Discourse and Duke’s Civil Discourse Project. The 2023 seminar was a great success and the 2022 seminar was featured in The Chronicle of Higher Education. We would be most grateful if you could pass on word of this opportunity and attached flyer to faculty within the department that you chair and/or to any other individuals you think might be candidates.

Each seminar will be comprised of a group of 20 faculty from a variety of schools and backgrounds. The seminars will be led by John Rose (UNC-Chapel Hill), Abdullah Antepli (Duke), and Simon Greer (Bridging the Gap). Topics covered include potential course content and best practices for effectively promoting civil discussion over sensitive topics in the classroom. After completing the seminar, participants will be prepared to teach a course based on Dr. Rose's own popular class at Duke/UNC, “How to Think in an Age of Political Polarization” (HTAPP). Special attention will be paid to one of the most challenging issues for civil discourse—the Israel-Palestine conflict, a topic in which the facilitators have experience.

The seminar will be free of charge with food, lodging, and flights covered. Participants will stay at the beautiful Carolina Inn on UNC's campus. In addition, participants will receive a stipend of $3,000 ($2,000 upon completion of the seminar and $1,000 upon teaching a class with a civil discourse component at their own institution).  

In order to participate, applicants must agree to teach a course similar to HTAPP, or a course with a significant civil discourse component, within three semesters of finishing the seminar. Successful applicants will need to acquire written approval from their department chair or dean allowing them to teach such a course within that timeframe. 

Applications will be handled on a rolling basis, with preference given to applications received before June 15th. Materials can be emailed to Nora Hanagan (hanagan@email.unc.edu) or to john.rose2@unc.edu. You should include the following attachments. 

1) CV/Resume
2) 1-2 page statement explaining one’s interest in the seminar 

3) Any other relevant documentation, including relevant course syllabi, publications, etc. 

In your application, please indicate whether you are applying to the July or August seminar. If you have any questions, feel free to email professors Hanagan or Rose.

This information can be found on the PPD website here.