In a recent article in The Lantern, CEHV Director, Piers Turner, and Civil Discourse Program Director, Kathryn Joyce, discuss the Center’s new Civil Discourse for Citizenship academic certificate, open for enrollment this semester (Spring 2025). 

The 12-credit certificate is designed to introduce students to the principles of civil discourse and the skills of navigating difficult conversations constructively. Building on existing programming at the Center for Ethics and Human Values, the certificate is an opportunity for students to study civil discourse academically. 

Civil Discourse Program Director Joyce explains in the article: 

"Our hope is that this program will help future professionals and citizens appreciate civic values so they can contribute to the creation of inclusive, tolerant communities that recognize the importance of free speech and open dialogue across different"

The certificate features CEHV’s course “Conversations on Morality, Politics, and Society” (ARTSSCI 2400). Offered each semester, this course introduces students to the theoretical and practical elements of civil discourse, honing their critical thinking and discussion skills. The certificate also prioritizes interdisciplinary study. 

As CEHV Director, Turner, explains: 

“Students can take classes from six difference colleges—in business, psychology, English, education and public affairs—to round out their understanding of civil discourse. . . The key for this certificate was that all the course need to be ones that really deal with the idea of constructive disagreement.” 

Read the full Lantern article about CEHV’s new certificate. 

Enrollment for the Certificate is open now! Learn more here.