Feb. 4, 2010
Help with hot topics
by Erin Rosacker
Difficult Dialogues, a program offered by the Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching to promote a safe place for free exchange in faculty and curriculum development, is planning a faculty forum and two roundtable discussions Feb. 8 in the Cardinal Room, Memorial Union.
Demethra Bradley and Robert Nash, authors of the book How to Talk About Hot Topics on Campus: From Polarization to Moral Conversation, will lead all three events. Bradley and Nash developed the "moral conversation" approach to discussing sensitive and difficult issues. Their book outlines the process to facilitate a respectful conversation despite the topic, using practical examples and solutions.
The lunchtime (12:10-1 p.m.) open forum, "Best Practices at ISU," will provide tools to guide faculty, staff and students through controversial conversations. The roundtable discussions (9:30-11 a.m. and 3:30-5 p.m.) are designed to give faculty members a chance to speak with the authors about their own experiences.
Registration is not necessary for the noon forum. Register for the roundtable discussions online, by e-mail or by phone (4-5357).
