Conflict and Civility in Political Discourse: Where Is the Line?
Are you so turned off by the current state of our political discourse that you've just tuned out? If so, you are not alone. To many the US appears hopelessly stuck in a hyperpartison, no holds barred, over the top race towards self-destruction.
But is this really the case? Did things used to be better? Can anything be done to stop the insanity?
This symposium was designed to contribute to the national dialogue by promoting civil discourse in the public sphere, with special emphasis on the political climate and voter sensibilities. Our goal was to approach the topic of civil discourse from an innovative, interdisciplinary and multi-partisan perspective.
The 2-day event included academic, political, and media perspectives, along with film screenings and art exhibits about the role of civil discourse in the development of policy. Discussions included historical perspectives on civil discourse in the US; rhetorical and artistic perspectives; the role of social media; the views of state and federal politicians; and the implications of the Citizens United Supreme Court case on political dialogue.
Events were free and open to the public.
Schedule
November 9, 2011
November 10, 2011
Partners
- UI Public Policy Center’s Forkenbrock Series on Public Policy
- UI Student Government
- Office of the Vice President for Research
- Office of the Provost
- College of Liberal Arts
- College of Law
- College of Education
- College of Public Health
- School of Journalism and Mass Communication
- Department of Sociology
- The Sudhindra Bose Lecture Series of the Department of Political Science
- Department of Communication Studies
- Iowa Women’s Archives
- UI Libraries
- Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum
- University Lecture Committee
- Obermann Center for Advanced Studies
- Center for Human Rights
- The Daily Iowan
- Cedar Rapids Gazette
- Quad City Times
- Johnson County League of Women Voters
- UI College Republicans
- Iowa Democratic Party
- Republican Party of Iowa
- UI Digital Studio for the Public Humanities and the School of Art and Art History MSPD Intermedia Program
- UI Institute for Cinema and Culture
- Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce
- No Labels
- Johnson County Community for Successful Aging
- PATV