The Project on Civic Dialogue

Founded in 2018 as the Project on Civil Discourse, the Project on Civic Dialogue helps students cultivate a love of and the skills for listening and communicating across differences.  Though our beliefs and perspectives vary, we work from two core values: first, that dialogue is a skill that can be learned and must be practiced (and not a spectator sport). And second, that expressive freedom is a necessary condition for dialogue, but the real work is in collaborative inquiry, listening, and learning. 

We understand that we are asking more from ourselves than mere civility; we commit to listen generously, think critically, engage meaningfully, and inquire rigorously. We are all architects of our own voices, and we seek to use them and develop them with purpose and integrity.

Our Programs

Dialogue grant program

PCD supports the AU community in creating opportunities for dialogue. Through our dialogue grant program, we provide AU community members and groups (including students, faculty, and staff) support and assistance in designing programs, along with funding of up to $1000 for program and event expenses.  Applications for the 2024-2025 grant program will open in August 2024.  

Faculty fellows and faculty and staff programming

PCD and SPA are pleased to launch a faculty fellows program starting fall 2024.  SPA faculty fellows will collaborate with one another and with the PCD director to create or redesign a course or program. Applications for the first class of fellows will open in late summer 2024.  

In 2024-2025, we will host several lunch sessions for faculty and staff on topics such as preparing to teach during an election year, self-censorship, and fostering thoughtful and inclusive dialogue.  Check back for updates.

Events and facilitated discussions

PCD provides opportunities for dialogue including peer-led discussions with trained student dialogue facilitators and faculty-led events such as our popular “Disagree with a Professor” series.  Our schedule of events will be posted in August. 

Courses

PCD’s for-credit skills offerings include  mediation and dispute resolution; First Amendment moot court; dialogue for grassroots organizing; dialogue for student leaders; and freedom of expression.  The spring 2025 course schedule is under development. We are currently developing an undergraduate certificate in dialogue, with enrollment planned for fall 2025.  All credits earned in PCD courses starting in 2024 can be applied to the certificate. 

Peer facilitators

Faculty: looking for a co-curricular activity or in-class dialogue opportunity? PCD’s trained dialogue facilitators can tailor a dialogue opportunity to your course.  Reach out to dialogueproject@american.edu for more information.  Starting in Spring 2025, our facilitator training will be a one-credit skills course. Students who wish to be trained in fall 2024 should reach out to dialogueproject@american.edu.