Fall Civility Initiative Events Focus on Civil Discourse, Democracy, Social Media
Topics include civil discourse, democracy, political polarization, social media, academic freedom, artificial intelligence and constructive dialogue.
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The College of Charleston Civility Initiative will host a series of public events this fall featuring nationally recognized scholars, filmmakers, journalists and civic leaders. Topics include civil discourse, democracy, political polarization, social media, academic freedom, artificial intelligence and constructive dialogue. Most events are free and open to the public and are designed to help students, faculty, staff and community members engage thoughtfully across differences.
“At the Civility Initiative, we are actively equipping our community with the tools to navigate healthy conflict in our lives, our relationships, our schools, our organizations, our media and our politics,” says Michael Lee, professor of communication and director of the Civility Initiative. “From our hands-on fellowships to conversations with national thought leaders, this fall’s programming reflects our deep commitment to teaching the practical skills of constructive disagreement. We believe that learning how to engage critically across all these spheres is the most urgent educational imperative of our time.”
The fall 2026 schedule includes a variety of events from Sept. 24 through Oct. 29. Most are free and open to the public. The Sept. 30 evening keynote featuring Daryl Davis requires tickets.
Lee Drutman on Gerrymandering and the Two-Party System
Sept. 24, 7 p.m. | Rita Liddy Hollings Science Center, Room 129, 202 Calhoun St.
Free and open to the public
At the Constitution Day Lecture, New America fellow Lee Drutman will explain how partisan gerrymandering and political polarization affect American democracy. An advocate for proportional representation, Drutman also will discuss proposals for breaking what he calls the “two-party doom loop.” A reception will follow.
Inaugural ProHuman Foundation Symposium
Wed., Sept. 30, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. | Tate Center, Room 202; enter through the Beatty Center at 5 Liberty St.
Daytime panels are free and open to the public
The inaugural ProHuman Foundation Symposium will explore pluralism, compassionate curiosity and empathy through a series of daytime panels. Speakers include the Rev. Sharon Risher, author of For Such a Time as This: Hope and Forgiveness After the Charleston Massacre; and Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Jennifer Berry Hawes, author of Grace Will Lead Us Home: The Charleston Church Massacre and the Hard, Inspiring Journey to Forgiveness.
The symposium continues at 6 p.m. with The Art of Civility with Daryl Davis at the Charleston Library Society. Davis, a musician and activist featured in the documentary Accidental Courtesy, is known for engaging members of the Ku Klux Klan in dialogue. Tickets for the evening program are available through the Charleston Library Society.
Your Attention Please Screening and Director Q&A
Thurs., Oct. 8, 3:30 p.m. | Simons Center for the Arts, Room 380, 54 St. Philip St.
Free and open to the public
Following its world premiere at the 2026 SXSW Film & TV Festival, Your Attention Please examines the effects of social media and efforts to redesign digital tools to better serve people. Director Sara Robin will introduce the documentary and lead a post-screening Q&A. The event is co-sponsored by CofC Unplug.
Brian Soucek on Academic Freedom and University Neutrality
Thurs., Oct. 22, 3:30-4:45 p.m. | Tate Center, Room 315; enter through the Beatty Center at 5 Liberty St.
Free and open to the public
Can a university ever be neutral? During a fireside chat, Brian Soucek will draw from his book, The Opinionated University: Academic Freedom, Diversity, and the Myth of Neutrality in American Higher Education, to examine whether colleges and universities should speak up for their institutional values. The discussion will explore academic freedom, diversity, open debate and the role of higher education. The event is co-sponsored by the Department of Philosophy.
How Social Media Is Reshaping Democracy
Thurs., Oct. 29, 4:30-6:30 p.m. | Craig Hall Auditorium (Office of Admissions), 65 George St.
Free and open to the public
The panel discussion Can Democracy Survive Social Media will bring together Rebekah Tromble of Northeastern University, Katherine Searles of the University of South Carolina and Ryan Milner of the College of Charleston. The panelists will examine how online discourse, algorithms and political polarization influence democratic processes.
The event is co-sponsored by the Department of Political Science and the School of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Civility Initiative Expands Campus Training and Dialogue
The Civility Initiative, now in its third year, promotes constructive dialogue and teaches students, faculty and staff how to navigate disagreement. Along with its public events, the initiative’s fall 2026 work includes:
- A second year of its student fellowship, which equips students to navigate complex conversations. Listen to an episode of Speaking of … College of Charleston during which three of the fellows discuss their efforts to promote effective dialogue on campus.
- A second cohort of faculty fellows. Last year’s fellows reached hundreds of students, with a reported 97% success rate for debate and dialogue assignments.
- A new staff fellowship focused on applying pluralism and healthy conflict practices in residence halls, scholarship programs and other areas of campus life.
- An Intentional AI Conversation Series, beginning with the first discussion, AI’s Impact on Critical Thinking on Sept. 16 followed by AI in the Liberal Arts on Oct. 20.
- Production of the fourth season of the When We Disagree podcast, which is used in training programs and college classes around the country.
The faculty fellowship is co-sponsored by the School of Humanities and Social Sciences and the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning. The staff fellowship is co-sponsored by the Division of Student Affairs and Denny’s Fund. The Intentional AI Conversation Series is co-sponsored by the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning and the College’s Quality Enhancement Plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Civility Initiative promotes constructive dialogue, civil discourse and healthy disagreement through public programming, fellowships, workshops and academic partnerships.
Most Fall 2026 Civility Initiative events are free and open to the public. The evening keynote featuring Daryl Davis requires a ticket.
Topics include democracy, social media, political polarization, academic freedom, artificial intelligence, empathy, pluralism and constructive disagreement.
Events take place at several College of Charleston locations, including the Rita Liddy Hollings Science Center, Tate Center, Simons Center for the Arts and Craig Hall Auditorium.
Learn more about the College of Charleston Civility Initiative, its student, faculty and staff fellowships, and the award-winning When We Disagree podcast by visiting the initiative’s website.
