CoursesThings One Should Never Discuss: Politics and Religion
WRIT 0021 - 303

Things One Should Never Discuss: Politics and Religion

Numerous divides dominate discussions of life in the U.S.: Polarization rooted in political parties. Deepening income inequality. Stalemates over how to address global crises like climate change, human migration, and public health. The list is long. Tensions between politics and religion can exacerbate any of these divides.

Tuesday / Thursday: 12:00 PM – 1:29 PM

For some of us, this situation can feel overwhelming, making us apathetic or leaving us questioning whether any change is possible. Others of us end up looking for someone to blame or believing the worst of our fellow community members. How do we combat such feelings and build connections that make a difference? How do we build democratic power and mutual respect across difference? This class examines how local leaders and groups have worked to overcome such divides to bring change to their communities. By building partnerships between religious communities, citizen groups, labor unions and the like, people are making democracy work and bridging divides. Through class dialogue, writing projects, and students’ own research, we will explore together how we can bridge divides in the many communities and groups we are a part of and how rhetorical and writing knowledge can play a role in it.

Note: This is an SNF Paideia designated writing seminar, designed to examine and encourage dialogue across differences. Students and faculty participating in the Paideia writing seminar cluster will have an opportunity to meet once a month for dinner, dialogue, and a keynote speaker or facilitator, as well as engage in other cross seminar community building activities. SNF Paideia designated courses are noted on student transcripts.

Related Content

Other Courses of Interest

URBS 1400 - 301

Inequity and Empowerment: Urban Financial Literacy

Instructor(s)

  • Brian Peterson

Semester

Fall 2023

A central premise of the “American Dream” is economic freedom, implying opportunity, security, and in the minds of many, wealth. The statistical and experiential reality, vividly evident throughout the nation’s urban cities, is a staggering inequitable distribution of resources and growing economic instability for scores of households, including those identified as middle class. This course equips and supports students for dialogue on financial issues and helps them to explore why this dialogue is sometimes avoided or feels difficult.

Learn More
PSCI 4991

How Washington Works

Instructor(s)

  • Ezekiel J. Emmanuel

Semester

Fall 2023

The purpose of this course is to provide students with an understanding of how decisions and policy are really made in Washington. Weekly travel to Washington D.C. required.

Learn More