Engagement in a Time of Polarization
A study of collaborative approaches and communication methods to navigate today's divided media landscape and promote constructive dialogue.
A study of collaborative approaches and communication methods to navigate today's divided media landscape and promote constructive dialogue.
This course addresses the critical issue of societal polarization and its impact on our ability to engage and collaborate effectively. Over two weeks, participants will examine the factors contributing to the toxicity of online interactions and explore ways to counteract these divisive trends. The course delves into participatory engagement models, drawing on historical examples of adult education for creating an informed citizenry. It analyzes the current information ecosystem, identifying the elements that drive polarization. Participants will learn about the characteristics of successful participatory engagement, both online and offline, and consider the implications for educators, government officials, and media professionals. By featuring insights from experts in media literacy, disinformation, and polarization, the course provides a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and potential solutions in our current communication landscape.
Instructors:
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What you'll learn
Understand historical models of adult education for creating an engaged citizenry
Analyze factors contributing to polarization in the current information ecosystem
Identify hallmarks of effective participatory engagement in online and offline contexts
Explore the implications of polarization for educators, government, and media
Develop strategies for fostering collaboration in polarized environments
Learn from experts in media literacy, disinformation, and polarization studies
Skills you'll gain
This course includes:
Live video
Graded assignments, exams
Access on Mobile, Tablet, Desktop
Limited Access access
Shareable certificate
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Module Description
This course explores the challenges of engagement and collaboration in our increasingly polarized society. It begins by examining historical models of adult education aimed at fostering an informed and engaged citizenry. The course then analyzes the factors contributing to polarization in our current information ecosystem, with a focus on social media dynamics. Participants will learn about the key characteristics of effective participatory engagement, both in online and offline contexts. The course also addresses the implications of polarization and participatory engagement for various sectors, including education, government, and media. Throughout the two weeks, learners will engage with content from leading experts in media literacy, disinformation, and polarization studies. The course encourages active participation and provides opportunities for learners to apply their knowledge towards action in their local communities.
Fee Structure
Instructors
1 Course
Expert in Migration Studies and Social Exclusion
Natalie Delia Deckard now serves as Associate Professor and Acting Head of Interdisciplinary and Critical Studies/Sociology and Criminology at the University of Windsor. Her academic journey includes a PhD in Sociology from Emory University (2016), MA from the University of South Florida (2011), and BA in Latin American Studies from Columbia University (2002). Her research examines social belonging and exclusion in market-driven societies, focusing on human trafficking, mass incarceration, and migration. Her work spans topics from felon disenfranchisement to climate displacement, with notable publications in Journal of Human Trafficking, Latino Studies, and Social Currents. She serves on editorial boards for Sociology of Race and Ethnicity, Journal of Human Trafficking, and as Associate Editor for Numeracy, while contributing to public discourse on immigration, incarceration, and social justice through academic and media platforms.
1 Course
Pioneer in Digital Education and Network Studies
Bonnie Stewart serves as Associate Professor of Online Pedagogy and Workplace Learning at the University of Windsor, following her role at the University of Prince Edward Island. Her academic credentials include a PhD in Educational Studies from UPEI (2015), where her dissertation examined influence and attention in scholarly networks. Her research explores digital literacies, networked scholarship, and identity in online spaces, with significant contributions to early MOOC research and Twitter ethnography. She has authored influential works including "The MOOC Model for Digital Practice" and publications on academic influence in networked environments. Her expertise spans digital pedagogy, data literacies, and AI ethics in education, earning her the Hessian Award for Excellence in Teaching (2016). As a keynote speaker, she addresses digital transformation in higher education across North America, Europe, Australia, and the Middle East, while leading initiatives in professional learning and digital strategy. Her current work investigates digital belonging, data literacies, and systemic change in education, particularly focusing on preserving participatory learning in an AI-dominated landscape.
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