NEWS

Davidson College’s Deliberative Citizenship Initiative (DCI) is a campus and community-wide effort to create opportunities for Davidson students, staff, faculty, alumni, and community members to engage with one another on difficult and important issues facing our community and society. Learn more about their upcoming programs below:

1. SEMESTER KICKOFF PARTY: On Friday, August 30, as part of Davidson’s back-to-school Welcome Week, the DCI is hosting a Fall Semester Kickoff Party in the 900 Room at the Alvarez Student Union from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. We welcome all Davidson students, faculty and staff to join us for pizza, deliberation about some interesting topics, and even a few prizes! Bring a friend and drop in any time!
2. DELIBERATION FACILITATOR TRAINING PROGRAM: Every year the DCI offers a two-day training program for anyone who would like to learn how to facilitate difficult conversations about contentious topics. The training will take place over two sessions from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 7 and Sept. 14. Virtual and in-person options are available, but space is limited so sign up soon if you are interested — the registration deadline is Sept. 2.
3. FALL DELIBERATIVE “D” TEAMS: D Teams are facilitated 5-10 person discussion groups that meet several times in a semester to deliberate about a range of different topics. This semester they will focus on three topics – (i) campus protests, (ii) defensive democracy, and (iii) diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives – that all connect to the themes of diversity, liberty, and democracy. Students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members are all welcome to join a D Team – the deadline to register is Sept. 6.
4. DELIBERATIVE PEDAGOGY (DeeP) FACULTY PANEL AND LUNCH: This is an opportunity to learn about deliberative pedagogy methods and hear insights from faculty members who have participated in the DCI’s DeeP Collaborative about how they have embedded more deliberation into their courses. Sept. 27 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. – more info coming soon.
5. DELIBERATIVE FORUM: The DCI’s Fall Deliberative Forum on Tuesday, Oct. 29 from 7 to 9 p.m. will focus on Income and Wealth Disparities: Should we address them, and if so, why and how? Stay tuned for more information about this event that will be coming soon.