Civic Education: Is There Common Ground?

Leviton Auditorium (Zoom)
Monday, October 24 • 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. 

Debates about how American history and government should be presented in schools are as old as the republic but especially hot and divisive in 2022. Nevertheless, a philosophically diverse group was able to reach a consensus about what and how to teach in civics and history courses: The Educating for American Democracy Roadmap. Dr. Peter Levine, a co-leader of that effort and a Professor of Citizenship and Public Affairs in Tufts University’s Jonathan Tisch College of Civic Life, will discuss the background, the process and the results. He will also address NC Civics and U.S. History standards.

Teaching American History: New Narratives and New Methods for the 21st Century

Leviton Auditorium
Monday, October 24 • 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. 

Welcome, North Carolina School of Science and Math! New faculty at NCSSM-Morganton will share their perspectives on challenges in teaching American history. Dr. Marcelo Aranda, American Studies and Digital Humanities Coordinator, is interested in integrating new digital methods into history pedagogy, not only to have students experience the process of historical inquiry but also to improve their ability to evaluate online information. Dr. Luke Manget, the author of Ginseng Diggers: A History of Root and Herb Gathering in Appalachia, published earlier this year, will focus on how the teaching of American history over the past 50 years has revolved around the creation of a new narrative that includes the perspectives and experiences of the nation’s diverse communities.

Panel Discussion: Social Media and Democracy

Leviton Auditorium
Wednesday, October 26 • 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. 

Panelists: Dr. Siva Vaidhyanathan, Professor of Media Studies and Director of the Center for Media and Citizenship at the University of Virginia; Dr. Shannon McGregor, Assistant Professor at the Hussman School of Journalism and Media at UNC-Chapel Hill, Dr. Volha Kananovich, Assistant Professor of Digital Journalism at Appalachian State University, .

Can social media be antisocial or anti-democratic? Some of the frequently encountered controversial issues include state-sponsored disinformation campaigns, the role of mediation on social media platforms, and the impact on information distribution. This panel discussion will focus on diverse challenges presented by social media use in civic and political life.

Deliberative Dialogue Workshop

Leviton Auditorium
Thursday, October 27 • 11:00 a.m. – 12:20 p.m. 

This workshop will encourage in-depth exploration of a student-selected Issue Guide from the National Issues Forum. Participants will practice deliberation through considering perspectives, listening with empathy, and weighing trade-offs of possible actions. The workshop will be facilitated by Leslie Garvin, the Executive Director of NC Campus Engagement.

The Reunited States 

Leviton Auditorium 
Thursday, October 27 • 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.

This award-winning film aims to promote difficult conversations: “The Reunited States is a powerful and urgent documentary that follows the unsung heroes on the difficult journey of bridging our political and racial divides.”

Tips for Dialogue and Bridging the Divide

Leviton Auditorium
Thursday, October 27 • 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Leslie Garvin, the Executive Director of NC Campus Engagement, will present an overview of different dialogue methods and provide tips for effective communication across the divide. A brief demonstration of dialogue techniques with audience engagement will serve as a catalyst for future conversations