The Art of Conversation
Civil Discourse in a Polarized World

At a time when it can be difficult to have a conversation with someone who sees the world differently, Millsaps College is bringing the community together to consider an important question: How can we have productive conversations about polarizing topics?

Millsaps College will host The Art of Conversation: Civil Discourse in a Polarized World on Monday, Nov. 2, from 6:00-7:30 p.m. in Murrah Hall on the Millsaps campus. The event is free and open to the public.

A panel of Millsaps faculty members from a range of academic disciplines will explore what makes productive conversation difficult in a polarized environment and what each of us can do to listen, communicate and engage more thoughtfully with people whose views differ from our own.

Panelists include:

• Ryan Collins, Ph.D., Assistant Professor
• Liz Egan, Lecturer in Creative Writing
• Victoria Gorham, Ph.D., Chair of the Government & Politics Department
• Monika Rawal, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Marketing
• Eric. R. Schmidt, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Government & Politics
• Frank Neville, President, Millsaps College

The conversation will explore the factors that contribute to polarization, ways to encourage open and respectful discussion, and strategies people can use to make difficult conversations more productive.

While the discussion will draw on the experiences of educators helping students develop critical-thinking and communication skills, the conversation is for everyone: community members, educators, students and anyone interested in having better conversations across differences.

Time, Date & Location

Monday, Nov. 2
6:00-7:30 pm
Millsaps College — Room 200 — Murrah Hall

Register to attend this free event.

All registered attendants will receive a recording of the event.

 

Watch your inbox for the email invite that will include directions to the event and a livestream link. This link will also take you to the recording once the event has ended.

If you have any questions, please reach out to communications@millsaps.edu.