What is the Better Conversations Together Orientation program?

The Better Conversations Together Orientation program is a multi-part initiative designed for students to learn and build upon their civic dialogue skills. This program will help students understand their own views and values, as well as actively listening and productively talking with others across divides. 

The end result of this program is students moving from understanding themselves and their roles in free speech and difficult conversations to being able to find common ground for solving wicked problems.

Why does the Better Conversations Together Orientation program exist? 

In support of Governor Youngkin’s request that all new students receive training in freedom of expression and free speech, and building on JMU’s mission as an engaged university, students will participate in this program to help them develop and refine their civic dialogue skills. 

What will the Better Conversations Together Orientation program look like?

Prior to arriving on campus, all students will participate in the first two modules in the Constructive Dialogue Institute’s Perspectives e-learning program which explores “the inner working of our minds,” including how brains process information and how people form values and beliefs. 

Once on campus, as an extension of their civic learning, students will participate in a small group facilitated deliberative dialogue using nonpartisan, pre-framed material from the National Issues Forums Institute. 

The small group deliberative dialogues will be facilitated by the Madison Center's Facilitation Fellows, a group of trained undergraduates with experience in helping others have difficult conversations across divides.

What should students learn? 

• Students who participate in the Better Conversations program will have a better understanding of: the issue itself, different perspectives on the issue, the factors affecting their own perspective, and the rationale behind different perspectives. 
• Students who participate in the Better Conversations program will be more willing to listen to persons who hold different perspectives on issues and fairly consider their views and reasoning.
• Students who participate in the Better Conversations program will feel more confident in their ability to have conversations about difficult issues with others. 
• Students who participate in the Better Conversations program will better understand the complexity of social issues and the need for compromise to arrive at workable solutions for all persons. 
• Students who participate in the Better Conversations program will perceive discussions about social issues more positively.

Can families join the Better Conversations program? 

Yes! Please email us for information on how to access Perspectives. 

Want to learn more?

Preview the Constructive Dialogue Institute’s Perspectives e-learning program.

Preview a sampling of possible issue guides from the National Issues Forums Institute.

For more information on this program, contact Aidan Heitt, Better Conversations Post-Graduate Fellow at jmubct@jmu.edu.