Opportunities for Students
Here is a list of opportunities for students:
Academic Certificate - Civil Discourse for Citizenship (CIVDC1B-CR)
This certificate (CIVDC1B-CR) gives students training in the theory and practice of civil discourse. The purpose is to help future professionals and citizens appreciate civic values so they can contribute to the creation of healthy democratic communities that recognize the importance of free speech and open dialogue across differences. Once completed, this 12-credit certificate will appear on students' transcripts like a minor. In addition to providing valuable skills that can be applied across many contexts, the Civil Discourse for Citizenship certificate is a credential that sends an excellent signal to prospective employers. Requirements for the Civil Discourse for Citizenship Certificate are outlined below. Students can enroll through their regular advisors using code: CIVDC1B-CR.
Practicing Civil Discourse Co-Curricular Certificate
Why enroll?
In an era of contentious politics and ideological polarization, many students are looking for opportunities to engage more constructively in public life. In the spirit of Ohio State’s motto – “Education for Citizenship” – the Practicing Civil Discourse for Citizenship certificate from the Center for Ethics and Human Values (CEHV) offers students the opportunity to learn more about, and to better practice, civil discourse. Students may also wish to demonstrate their commitment to civil discourse to potential employers...
ARTSSCI 2400(E): An Undergraduate Course on Civil Discourse
CEHV offers undergraduates a 3-credit course called Conversations on Morality, Politics, and Society (ARTSSCI 2400/2400E).
This course introduces students to debates about freedom of speech, principles of civil discourse, and dialogue facilitation strategies, providing them with tools for constructive communication at a time when discussion of controversial issues is becoming increasingly difficult in our society. The course also offers an Honors-embedded section.
Civil Discourse Fellows
As part of its Civil Discourse for Citizenship initiative, CEHV hosts a Civil Discourse Fellows program for undergraduates. Each spring, eight students are selected as Fellows from a competitive pool of applicants. OSU undergraduates from all colleges and majors are encouraged to apply.
CEHV Civil Discourse Fellows plan and moderate CEHV's Civil Discourse Forums on topics of their choice and serve as ambassadors for civil discourse on campus. Each Civil Discourse Fellow receives a $750 fellowship award and serves from the spring semester when they are accepted through spring semester of the following year.
Since the inaugural cohort in 2021-22, 48 students from 7 colleges have participated in the Civil Discourse Fellows program. Together, they have led 19 Civil Discourse Forums exploring contrasting views on pressing controversial questions.
The Ohio State Ethics Bowl Team
The Center for Ethics and Human Values sponsors Ohio State Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl teams.
Participating in the Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl (IEB) involves...
The Civil Discourse Society
The Center for Ethics and Human Values is pleased to support the Civil Discourse Society, a student organization dedicated to sharing and understanding different viewpoints through open-minded dialogue.
Dorm Dialogues
Workshops and Facilitated Dialogues
As part of its Civil Discourse for Citizenship initiative, CEHV offers skill-building dialogue facilitation workshops and workshops on using the 4Cs of civil discourse to navigate difficult conversations. Additionally, CEHV staff are available to facilitate dialogue about important ethical issues.
Our workshops and facilitated dialogue sessions are available for student programs, academic departments and non-departmental units, undergraduate student organizations, residence halls, groups of instructors, and anyone else interested in them. We embrace the opportunity to craft our workshops in response to the needs of members of our community.
Free Online Training on the 4Cs
By introducing the 4Cs of civil discourse — Be Curious , Be Charitable, Be Conscientious, and Be Constructive — this training will help you build civic trust through improved mutual understanding and shared problem-solving, even when you disagree strongly on contentious social and political issues.
It is free and open to everyone: students, educators, and citizens alike. We hope it will be useful for instructors who wish to provide a framework for civil discourse in the classroom.