Muller Center Launches Spring Series to Explore the Lost Art of Civil Discourse
January 27, 2017
The Muller Center at Newberry College will host its spring {Civic} Art of Listening Series starting this month. The series is based on the premise that society has lost its capacity for civil discourse.
“We seem to have lost the ability to talk and to listen to one another – with troubling consequences for shared civic vitality,” said Dr. Krista E. Hughes, director of the Muller Center. “In an era where sound bites prevail and social media gives voice to reactive communication, listening to understand in order to work together across our differences is truly a lost art. This series encourages people to engage in a type of listening that aims at understanding rather than reacting.”
SPRING 2017 SERIES SCHEDULE
MONDAY, JANUARY 30
Politics & the {Civic} Art of Listening
7 p.m.
Gnann Conference Room
Newberry College Teacher Education Center (1121 Speers Street, Newberry)
This event includes a screening of the documentary “Bring It to the Table,” followed by facilitated table talks that will allow participants to practice effectively speaking, listening and understanding across differences.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23
Race & the {Civic} Art of Listening
7 p.m.
Gnann Conference Room
Newberry College Teacher Education Center (1121 Speers Street, Newberry)
Community transformation organization Speaking Down Barriers returns to campus for an evening of spoken word poetry and community dialogue about interracial understanding.
MONDAY, MARCH 13
Interfaith & the {Civic} Art of Listening
7 p.m.
Wiles Chapel (2100 College Street, Newberry)
Visiting scholar Jacqueline A. Bussie and Muller Center director Dr. Krista Hughes will lead a public conversation on the challenges and promises of interfaith engagement. The event is part of Newberry College’s first ever Religious Diversity Week, jointly sponsored by the Muller Center and the Newberry College Office of Diversity Education.
All events are free and open to the public. For more information, contact the Muller Center at 803.321.5215 or muller.center@newberry.edu
