On the Precipice?
Tue, Aug 25
In this session, we'll welcome you to our course and scheme for the semester ahead. We have three learning goals for today. By the end of our lecture class, you will
- Understand the Overall Structure for this course.
- Understand basic course Norms, and set some Learning Goals for our work together this semester.
- Learn the basics of good Peer Dialogue, including why it's different from a debate or other forms of argumentation. You will also learn how to ask Strong Questions to your peers.
The slides for today's lecture.
Read This:
This is where daily readings (to be completed before class) will be displayed. Before our first meeting:
- Take time to review the Syllabus before we meet. Bring any questions you have about it to class.
- Familiarize yourself with the Course Calendar (and the whole course website).
You should also read and think about this article:
- Welcome to The Future (Noah Smith)
Our friends in the Sheedy Family Program in Economy, Enterprise & Society have put together a handy guide to understanding and engaging in good dialogue. Please read the following training manual to get an idea about the type of discourse you will be engaging in with your peer dialogue group throughout the semester. Also read Chapter 3 "Dialogue and Social Technologies" from our textbook Virtue in Virtual Spaces.
- Dialogue Training Manual
- Chapter 3 of Virtue in Virtual Spaces (buy this from the bookstore or online).
Do This:
Dialogue Group Formation
Think about who you might want to be in conversation this semester in your peer dialogue group. Each student will need to be part of a group of 8 that will meet each week to discuss a prompt and work on a group project for each unit. One person in your group needs to send a slack message or email to our grad TA Louisa (lconwill@nd.edu) with each group member’s name and email address by 5pm on 9/1.
If you don’t know anyone in the class and need help finding a group, or if you are looking for additional group members, talk to Louisa.