In an era of polarization, being able to communicate, empathize, and argue effectively is more important than ever. This seminar will introduce topics and approaches to the question of how we can learn with one another from antiquity to today. Starting from analysis of the ancient practice of dialectic, we will discuss the role of debate in our lives as knowers and citizens, drawing upon thinkers from the world's first democracy. As knowers, we want to understand how we can help or harm one another in our pursuit of knowledge. As citizens, we want to understand how to communicate in the face of polarization. Both roles require us to think about what constitutes good argument and how we can effectively address deep disagreements.
In this seminar, students will also be asked to put these the theories behind dialectic, debate, and disagreement into practice in conversations both within the course and with the broader community within and beyond Wesleyan.
This course can be applied towards the History, Politics, and Social Justice Track of the Classical Studies Major. |