Reflection Assignment
Dialogue in Uncivil Times
Special Extra Credit Opportunity
Overview
The CMM 100 instructional staff is pleased to announce a special program-wide opportunity for extra credit in the course, one that focuses on dialogue, a primary component of the course.
On Friday October 19 from 5:00-6:30 pm in Sears Recital Hall, two members of the Ohio Congress, Hon. Peggy Lehner and Hon. Fred Strahorn; two academic experts in communication, Dr. Mary Stuckey of Penn State University and Dr. Andrew Ledbetter of Texas Christian University; and the director of exploratory research from the Charles F. Kettering Foundation, Ms. Valerie Lemmie will meet to explore the importance of civil dialogue in today's highly polarized political environment. Former governor of Ohio, Robert Taft, and the chair of the Communication Department, Dr. Joseph Valenzano will moderate the conversation.
Our textbook, Principles of Oral Communication, defines civility as "the genuine and reciprocal expression of respect for ourselves and other people through our actions and statements." Two major themes of CMM 100 are that dialogue with others is a key path to fostering mutual understanding in the face of different views, and that successful dialogue is not possible without a foundation of civil interaction. Participants in dialogue gain an opportunity to develop a richer, clearer, and more accurate understanding of each other's views without the expectations of holding to their initial positions or reaching agreement with each other. As such, it can function as a key process for fostering learning and goodwill. This event promises a quality exploration of this theme from diverse vantage points and an opportunity to consider dialogue as an alternative in navigating the polarization of today's world.
Task
After attending the event or watching the video, students must write a short reflection in which they answer the following questions:
1. What specific views did participants express during the conversation that impacted your thinking about dialogue in the face of incivility today? How did those views affect your thinking?
2. How successfully did the participants foster civility among themselves? In what behaviors did they engage that promoted civility? Which behaviors detracted from it?
3. On what points did participants differ in their views? How did they express their different views? How did their expression of these differences among them affect the quality of dialogue?
4. How well did the participants listen to each other? Describe a particular moment in the interaction in which you observed effective listening?
5. What did you learn from this conversation about your own interactions with others in today's often polarized environment? What lessons will you take with you from the talk into your own conversations with others?
Your reflection must be no less than 750 words.
Youtube Video: "A Civil Dialogue -October 19 2018"
Format your assignment according to the following formatting requirements:
1. The answer should be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.
2. The response also include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
3. Also Include a reference page. The Citations and references should follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.