Thu, 29 Jan 2026 12:45 PM - 2:45 PM
Join an interdisciplinary community of faculty who want to integrate civic discourse and dialogue in their classes as a way of improving student engagement and productively encouraging deeper conversations about important and “difficult“ questions. In these polarizing times, students experience a pressing need and desire to talk and listen to others, even when they disagree — and at the same time they are afraid of disagreement and reluctant to engage in critical dialogue. Faculty need to be able to facilitate high-quality, difficult, content-based conversations in their classrooms.
Dialogue and Civic Discourse Fellows will meet every other week for 2 hours in the spring 2026 semester to:
- Learn about different approaches to (the facilitation of) dialogue and civic discourse in the classroom.
- Develop class activities and syllabi that engage students in course content through collaborative, civic dialogue.
The sessions in spring will be based on a range of approaches to dialogue, such as Interfaith America’s pluralism framework, Constructive and Intergroup Dialogue, deliberation, as well as difficult and crucial conversations, with opportunities to engage in dialogues and dialogue facilitation. Participants then apply what they experience to their own courses and class sessions. This community of practice is open to all faculty regardless of discipline, department, or college.
Participation in the fellowship will be supported with a $500 stipend per participant. Participants are expected to implement their dialogue activities in fall 2026, supported by an additional stipend. Continuing participation in the fellowship, in fall 2026 and spring 2027, will be possible to process implementation efforts and revise class activities.
Meeting times and dates for spring will be decided by the group at its first meeting. Finding meeting times will be easier if participants can keep Thursdays, 12:45 - 2:45 p.m., open on their calendars.
We encourage applications by departmental teams of 3-4 participants.
The program is supported with grant funding from Interfaith America and support from the Office of the President and the Madison Center for Civic Engagement.
Program Date & Time: Thursday, January 29, 12:45 - 2:45 p.m.
Location: The Union - Taylor 206
Facilitators
- Andreas Broscheid, CFI & CAL
- Kara Dillard, JMU Madison Center & CAL
- Steve Grande, CHBS
Genre: Faculty Learning Community
Application Questions: (QuestionPro Survey)
- Name
- JMU Email
- College
- Department
- Select your position type: 10-month, 12-month, or part-time.
- What classes do you teach?
- Tell us briefly how you would like to include civic discourse or dialogue in one of your classes. What do you hope will change in your class? (up to 100 words)
- Can you commit to attending all 8 two-hour meetings throughout the spring semester (meeting times will be decided on by the group during the first meeting, taking all participants' schedules into account)?
Apply by Friday, November 21, at 11:59 p.m.
CFI programs will be canceled automatically if JMU is closed for inclement weather.
We want this program to be welcoming, accessible, and inclusive for all of our participants. Please describe any considerations or accommodations (e.g., dietary, disability, wellness, cultural, etc.) you want us to know about in your account profile. You may also reach out to us at cfi@jmu.edu or (540) 568-4846.