Course Description:

Civil discourse represents meaningful forms of communication that provide citizens space to talk about pressing social issues together in ways that move away from adversarial disengagement and towards mutual understanding and vibrant democratic processes. As a capstone experience, this course employs qualitative research methods to investigate the ways participants engage in civil discourse and make these experiences meaningful through their communication practices. Students will become competent in qualitative data collection methods (e.g., interviewing/focus groups, participant observation and fieldnote writing, transcribing) and analysis and interpretation of research materials to advance insightful understandings; refine writing and presentation skills; and gain understanding of the role and value of qualitative research in contributing to civic society and applied across contexts. Students will participate in ongoing research and public reporting on behalf of the Civil Discourse Lab (CDL); however, students need not have been previously affiliated with the CDL.