About
Deliberative Dialogue events seek to bring students together to engage in deep listening, share their lived experiences, explore pathways and consequences and think about perspectives different from their own. Dialogue is not:
- A discussion, which tends to be more abstract and where personal experience and actual content are often seen as separate, nor is it
- A debate, which can be oppositional with two sides opposing each other and attempting to prove each other wrong or “win” for their viewpoint.
More Information Contact
Leanne Soter
Program Coordinator for Service Learning and Leadership
leanne.soter@unlv.edu
Dialogue is an important form of communication and is about learning from each other despite differences, working to find understanding (not necessarily agreement), and seeking some common ground.
According to studies done by the , 96.1% of employers and 96.3% of students cited communication as one of the most important career readiness skills.
Events
Dialogue and Deliberation events are provided by Service Learning & Leadership and are free to current 51ԹϺ students.
It’s Just Coffee
This event is a coffee meet-up series that will happen once a month for students to practice their dialogue skills in a low-stakes environment. Each month will offer a different topic to explore together. The goal is to practice sharing their point of view, listening openly, and working to understand each other; the goal is not consensus, it is shared learning. No topic expertise is required to participate, and there will be a dialogue facilitator and topic guide to assist all participants.
Courageous Dialogue
Utilizing curriculum developed by , this program is a two-hour, in-person workshop to help participants practice the skills and principles of engaging in meaningful conversation that is open, authentic, and respectful. This workshop will be offered once a semester to the general student body, but can also be requested for use in a classroom or training setting.