Podcast Points: Practicing Civil Discourse in a Contentious Election Season

In the midst of a contentious election season, Baylor University’s Leslie Hahner, Ph.D., professor of communication, and Kevin Villegas, Ed.D., dean of Intercultural Engagement and Division of Student Life Initiatives understand the complexities of navigating civil discourse from both an academic and student life perspective. 

Hahner and Villegas joined the weekly Baylor Connections podcast for a conversation about modeling and teaching civil discourse to encourage Baylor students to engage with others in the spirit of respect, understanding and the call to love our neighbor. 

Podcast Points with Leslie Hahner, Ph.D. and Kevin Villegas, Ed.D.

Defining Civil Discourse 

• To practice civil discourse at Baylor, there must be a mutual understanding of what it means and how it can be applied. 
• Hahner and Villegas describe civil discourse as “the practice of relationally deliberating on matters of significant concern” with an attitude of mutual respect, responsibility and truthfulness. 

Bridging the Gap 

• When civil discourse is understood and applied, it can build bridges between disagreement. Villegas describes this act as “work that’s done to intentionally bring people together from diverse identities, divergent ideologies so that we can engage.”
• An important component of bridging the gap is teaching students how to listen to one another rather than engaging in an “interrupted monologue,” in which we talk past one another. 

Using Social Media Responsibly 

• Social media is becoming an increasingly important and powerful tool for engagement and conversation. While these conversations can be productive, it is important for students to understand how to navigate a constant flow of messages on social media. 
• Hahner suggests asking three questions before engaging in conversations on social media: Is it kind? Is it necessary? Is it important? 
• Villegas reminds students that research shows debate and discourse are more effective when sitting across from one another rather than behind a screen. 

Creating Fellowship Amidst Disagreement 

• Villegas describes the importance for faculty and students to model kindness, dignity, love, respect and understanding as a part of a Christian University. “It’s part of the great commandment to love God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength, and love our neighbor as ourself.”
• Hahner believes that Baylor University is uniquely positioned to offer students with spaces for deliberation, conversation and understanding and encourages students to share their understanding during a time when “the world needs Baylor.”  

LISTEN TO THE CONVERSATION

Listen to the full conversation with Leslie Hahner, Ph.D., and Kevin Villegas, Ph.D., on the Baylor Connections podcast. 

ABOUT BAYLOR CONNECTIONS

Baylor Connections with host Derek Smith goes in depth each week with Baylor leaders, professors and more, discussing important topics in higher education, research and student life. Baylor Connections airs on Fridays at 11 a.m. CT on KWBU 103.3FM in Waco. The podcast also is available online or by subscribing to Baylor Connections on iTunes.

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked Research 1 institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 20,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.