DIALOGUE, DIGNITY AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
The Provost’s Project on Dialogue, Dignity and Civic Engagement highlights teaching and learning across the University of Utah that help students develop the skills needed to engage thoughtfully across difference. This work reflects a long-standing commitment to open inquiry and pluralism, the idea that a healthy academic and civic community makes room for many perspectives while holding shared standards for evidence, reasoning and respect. Through coursework, debate and dialogue programs, public forums and student leadership experiences, faculty and staff help students explore complex questions related to law, governance and civic life. Together, these classroom and co-curricular efforts prepare students for leadership and responsible engagement in a democratic society.
Debate Across the Curriculum
Debate Across the Curriculum is a three-year initiative led by the Colleges of Liberal Arts & Sciences, in partnership with the John R. Park Debate Society, that integrates debate into general education and other courses to help students practice decision-making, reasoning and productive disagreement across political, social and cultural differences.
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John R. Park Debate Society
The John R. Park Debate Society, founded in 1869, advances debate and public discourse through intercollegiate competition, campus-wide events and community outreach, providing students and local participants with opportunities to engage complex issues, refine their reasoning and practice structured, respectful disagreement.
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Dean’s Debate Series
In welcoming legislators, legal scholars and local leaders to debate topics of significance to Utah's communities, the Dean's Debate Series at the College of Law highlights the value of professional debate—and the essential role of the free exchange of ideas in American society.
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Intellectual Traditions
Intellectual Traditions, a core component of the Honors College curriculum, engages students in reading, writing and seminar dialogue around foundational texts and enduring questions to strengthen critical thinking, reflective inquiry and thoughtful engagement across differences in perspective and experience.
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Ideas that Matter
Ideas that Matter, the first-year experience required of all Honors students, guides students through thoughtful conversations about how to build community across differences, with an emphasis on listening as the foundation for meaningful dialogue.
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Perspectives
Perspectives is a one-hour, self-paced online training from the Constructive Dialogue Institute that equips students with practical tools to navigate difficult conversations by understanding cognitive biases, values and differing worldviews.
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Brave Conversations
Brave Conversations is an event series hosted by Student Leadership and Involvement, in collaboration with the Bennion Center for Community Engagement, that invites students into facilitated small-group discussions designed to foster listening and understanding on a variety of timely topics.
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Associated Students of the University of Utah (ASUU)
The Associated Students of the University of Utah (ASUU) is the university’s official student government, led by elected student leaders who advocate for the student body and collaborate with university administrators to provide services, resources and campus programming.
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Dialogue, Conflict Resolution, and Mediation Certificate
Students earning the Interdisciplinary Certificate in Dialogue, Conflict Resolution, and Mediation gain practical skills in understanding the roots of conflict and how to facilitate conflict resolution in the workplace, in the community, with friends and family, and beyond.
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The U excels at dialogue, dignity and civic engagement
Structured dialogue, classroom debate and related efforts are integrated into teaching and learning across the U to strengthen students’ ability to engage in disagreement thoughtfully and participate constructively in civic life.
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The Pen Is Mightier: Writing a Revolution
Curated by the J. Willard Marriott Library’s Rare Books Department, this exhibit showcases the texts that shaped debate during the American Revolution and highlights the enduring role of ideas, discourse and public engagement in democratic life.
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Seeking Understanding, Not Debate
Difficult topics can derail conversation, yet many people still want to bridge differences and better understand one another. Brave Conversations helps students do just that by creating structured spaces for listening and connection.
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For questions or to submit a project for inclusion on this page, contact EVPAA@utah.edu or complete the form below.