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Student Affairs NOW

Dartmouth Dialogue Project

Jan 8, 2025
Christy Clemens, Executive Director of Dialogue Initiatives at Dartmouth, and Dr. Elizabeth Smith, Professor and Dean of Arts and Sciences, delve into the Dartmouth Dialogue Project. They discuss how this initiative emerged from communication challenges and fosters empathy through active listening. The duo emphasizes creating 'brave spaces' for authentic dialogue, the necessity of teaching dialogue skills, and the importance of ongoing practice. They also touch on collaborative projects aimed at equipping students to navigate differing perspectives in today’s complex world.
50:45

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Quick takeaways

  • The Dartmouth Dialogue Project emerged to address communication failures in academic settings by fostering essential dialogue skills across diverse disciplines.
  • The initiative's focus on constructing 'brave spaces' promotes authentic engagement and vulnerability, essential for respectful and meaningful discussions among participants.

Deep dives

Intersecting Divisions and the Dialogue Project

The Dialogue Project at Dartmouth encompasses the four key divisions of the institution: science, arts and humanities, social sciences, and interdisciplinary programs. The project emerged from a recognized breakdown in dialogue within academic settings, as faculty struggled to engage students in discussions on complex topics, which often extended beyond the classroom. A notable example is the communication failures observed during faculty meetings and conflicts amongst students, which highlighted the urgent need for dialogue skills in the liberal arts context. By fostering dialogue skills, the project aims to bridge gaps between varied disciplines and address broader societal issues requiring academic intervention.

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