Two Nonpartisan Student Political Dialogues Planned for Spring Semester

The University of Scranton’s Political Dialogues Working Group will offer two virtual student political dialogues for the spring 2021 semester. These dialogue events will offer University of Scranton students the opportunity to engage in nonpartisan open discussion about two current issues: what it takes to sustain democracy and exploring “cancel culture.”

The first political dialogue, Democracy: Are We “Brave Enough to Be It”?, will take place on Wednesday, March 3 at 7 p.m. via Zoom. This dialogue will focus on the shared value of democracy and is inspired by National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman’s inauguration poem “The Hill We Climb”. This dialogue will offer students the opportunity to consider the ideas Gorman puts forth in her poem about what it takes to come together as a nation and to reengage with what it means to live out our democratic promise. Register for March 3 Dialogue here. 

The second political dialogue, Exploring “Cancel Culture”, will take place on Tuesday, April 20, at 7 p.m. via Zoom. This dialogue will offer an opportunity for students to discuss the phenomenon of cancel culture. Register for April 20 Dialogue here. 

In both dialogue events, students will have a chance to engage and encounter each other's experiences and views - not debate or persuade - through structured dialogue to build understanding. Registration is required for the dialogue events and interested students can learn more by visiting the Bursting Our Political Bubbles Civic Dialogue website.  

The University has organized similar discussions on campus since 2017 as part of an ongoing “Bursting Our Political Bubbles” Dialogue Initiative, which blends the reflective, structured dialogue methods of national non-profit Essential Partners with St. Ignatius of Loyola’s teachings of discernment and reflection. For tips on how to have your own constructive dialogue that involves both listening to and learning from others, click here. 

Questions about the virtual political dialogues can be directed to community@scranton.edu.