
In the wake of a notably contentious year, the University of Washington has rolled out a class to bridge the divide among its student body. Named "2024: Dialogue, Disagreement and Democracy," this online offering is shy of being a response to recent events that left society on the brink of fragmentation, teaching students the art of civil discourse without having to silence differing perspectives.
According to a report by University of Washington Bothell News, Dr. Cinnamon Hillyard spearheaded the class, motivated by a UW survey revealing the public's growing mistrust in higher education. With 198 students from the Bothell, Seattle, and Tacoma campuses, the class provides a platform for individuals to understand and respect the ideological leanings of others, broadening the service of the university beyond the traditionally liberal demographic.
The adaptable class structure allowed for progressive engagement, starting from personal reflections to public conversations. Students initially shared reflections only with instructors but later utilized a discussion board open to the whole class. Caeden Statia, a UW Bothell junior, disclosed to UW Bothell News the importance of engagement with peers from different campuses, admitting the effort gives insight into diverse perspectives.
Early lessons featured journalist Mónica Guzmán, who, in a discussion highlighted by UW Bothell News, underscored the significance of curiosity in preserving civility amidst personal political discord in her family. Guzmán likened the family's heated debates to a meal that "cooks" rather than "burns" the ingredients of the conversation.
In addressing the stark political divide, the class brought in former legislators Derek Kilmer and J.T. Wilcox, who spoke about the destructive combative stance becoming commonplace in politics. Kilmer shared his unorthodox approach to congressional seating arrangements to exemplify breaking the norm and fostering a cooperative atmosphere by mixing up party lines in committee meetings.
Dr. Karam Dana and Rabbi Will Berkovitz also joined the class's cadre of role models, contributing perspectives on the Israel-Palestine conflict. In addition to the digital interface, UW Bothell students engaged in in-person meetings four times throughout the course, designed to practice the principles laid out in the virtual curriculum.