Autumn Quarter: Thursday, 3:30-4:20, Kane 130
1 credit hybrid course, combination of online asynchronous and in-person sessions (four)
Register: Bothell (SLN: 23404) - Seattle (SLN: 23229) - Tacoma (TBD)
Deep disagreement pervades our democracy today. We hear or are a part of fierce arguments about elections, public policy, free speech, university policies, and what constitutes truth in an era of misinformation and disinformation. Open-mindedness, humility, and critical thinking seem in short supply among politicians, citizens, and other residents alike. Yet constructive disagreement is an essential feature of a democratic society. This class explores and models productive, civil disagreement. Each week features scholars who offer a perspective or disagree about major policy issues. Students will have the opportunity to probe those disagreements, understand why they persist, improve their own understanding of the facts and values that underlie them, and think about their own positions on the issues discussed. Each class will be focused on a different topic and will feature guest speakers. Some of the discussions will be online in an asynchronous format. Four in-person sessions will be held on the Seattle campus.
Learn more about the 2024 course.