Learn how to support students, faculty, and staff to engage in discourse across political and other forms of difference.

Dialogue Across Difference is designed for K-12 and higher education educators, administrators, and leaders from all disciplinary backgrounds looking to deepen their understanding of issues surrounding civic discourse in educational settings. Learn from experts about the importance of supporting difficult conversations and ways to address the challenges this presents.

What Sets Us Apart

  Focus on contemporary challenges and opportunities around discussion and polarization
  Connect and learn with a network of peers who share your commitment to sustaining civic discourse in schools
 Gain actionable strategies to implement in your professional context

About the Program

The challenges of our increasingly polarized society are daunting. This spring, be prepared to support students, faculty, and staff as they engage in challenging conversations and build cultures that balance freedom of expression and a sense of belonging for all.

 

 Application Deadline

  • Early Application Deadline: November 30, 2024
  • Final Deadline: January 10, 2025

Program StartJanuary 27, 2025

Length & Time Commitment~40 hours over 4 months

Certificate OfferedPenn GSE Certificate of Participation

Credits4 Continuing Education (CE) Credits
40 Pennsylvania ACT 48 Credits

Cost

  • Standard rate: $1,500
  • 30% discount for School District of Philadelphia employees
  • 15% discount available for:
    • Penn GSE and Center for Professional Learning alumni
    • University of Pennsylvania employees
    • Groups of 5+ from the same organization, contact us prior to applying. 

 Ideal Candidates

  • K-12 teachers and administrators
  • Higher education faculty and administration
  • Non school-based educators
Modality
  • Online
Programs for Working Professionals
Overview

In this program, learn from experts about the importance of supporting civic discourse and ways to address the challenges this presents. Engage in questions such as:

  1. How can teachers prepare students to engage in politically charged conversations while also ensuring students feel a sense of belonging?
  2. How can faculty find space to express their feelings while also not letting their feelings dominate the classroom?
  3. How should schools communicate with various stakeholders (parents, media, student body, faculty)?

Then, work closely with small groups of peers to examine shared challenges from your professional work and connect with and learn from a professional network that shares your commitment to this important and complex work. 

Learning Goals:
  • Understand what civic discourse is and why it is important in a democratic society
  • Explore the line between charged discussion and harmful speech
  • Develop skills and strategies to communicate with parents and other stakeholders about the importance of this work
  • Develop skills and strategies to prepare students to have difficult conversations
  • Develop skills and strategies to support teachers in facilitating difficult conversations

 

Program Schedule - Coming Soon

Explore. Envision. Enact.

This program follows a unique three-part model that is designed to align with research-based best practices in teacher professional development.
  • In Part I: Explore, you will asynchronously engage with a carefully curated curriculum to deepen your own understanding of the program’s topics.
  • In Part II: Envision, attend live virtual workshops led by expert Penn faculty and experienced practitioners, and create a plan for applying your new knowledge and skills.
  • In Part III: Enact, implement your plan in your classroom or school.  At the same time, attend live virtual small group meetings with colleagues to connect, collaborate, reflect, and learn from each other's experiences.
Dates
Time CommitmentsSession
TBDAsynchronous module ~10 hoursPart I: Explore - Learners will deepen their understanding of issues related to civic discourse in school by exploring resources on our online learning platform.
TBD

5:30 - 7:30 p.m. (ET)

 Workshop #1 - "You Can't Say That: Teaching Controversial Issues in American Schools, from World War One to October 7"

Led by Dr. Jon Zimmerman

TBD

5:00 - 7:00 p.m. (ET)

Workshop #2 - "Building Conversational Safe Spaces"

Led by Matt Kay

TBD

5:00 - 7:00 p.m. (ET)

Workshop #3 - "Discussing Our Difficult Past: When Past & Present Collide in Your Classroom"

Led by Dr. Abby Reisman

TBD5:30-7:00 p.m. (ET)Synchronous virtual small group meeting 1
TBD5:30-7:00 p.m. (ET)Synchronous virtual small group meeting 2
TBD5:30-7:00 p.m. (ET)Synchronous virtual small group meeting 3

Program Leadership & Staff

Gillian Daar
Program Director

Christopher Pupik Dean
Academic Director

Continuing Education Credits - FAQs & Policy

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of obtaining Continuing Education (CE) credits? 

CE credits are issued on an official University of Pennsylvania transcript. Having an official record of your participation in this program can add credibility to the work that you invest in completing it.  In some school districts, CE credits can be used to help educators advance along their pay scale. 

What style of grading does this program follow? 

Programs that offer CE credits award "Pass/Fail" grading. 

Can I add CE credits after I get started in the program? 

You must decide before you start the program if you will be participating as a learner who is completing the program for CE credentialing. You will not be able to opt in after the program starts. 

Can I receive partial credit or opt out of receiving CE credits after I start the program? 

No, this program can not offer partial credit if a learner can not complete the program. However, a learner can unenroll from the program by the drop deadline and will be responsible for 100% of the program fee. 

Why might you not want CE credits?

 If you choose to receive CE credits but do not successfully complete this program, you risk receiving an F on your permanent Penn transcript.

Can participating educators receive Pennsylvania Act 48 credits if they don't register for CE credits? 

Yes! All Pennsylvania educators are eligible to receive the total amount of ACT 48 credits regardless of their preference for CE credits. 

Continuing Education Credits Policy

Please read the policy below carefully to understand the important consequences that choosing to receive CE credits may have for your University of Pennsylvania transcript.  

As a participant in this Penn GSE  Certificate program, you are eligible to receive Continuing Education (CE) credits for successful completion of the program requirements.  Whether or not you choose to receive CE credits for your participation in this program, all program expectations and requirements are the same.  

If you choose to receive CE credits, this course will appear on your permanent Penn transcript. 

If you decide to unenroll from this program, you will have until the Add/Drop Deadline to do so without consequence for your transcript.  This course will no longer appear on your Penn transcript.  

If you decide to unenroll from this program after the Add/Drop Deadline, then this course will appear on your Penn transcript.  Courses dropped after the Add/Drop Deadline requires instructor approval, and a 'W' will appear on your transcript in place of a grade.

If you decide to unenroll from this program after the Withdrawal Deadline, then this course will appear on your Penn transcript, and you may earn an F.

If you choose to receive CE credits for your participation in this program but do not successfully complete it, then you may earn an F on your Penn transcript. 

Please indicate whether or not you would like to receive CE credits for your participation in this program on your application.

Our Faculty

Penn GSE Faculty Andrea M. Kane
Professor of Practice, Education Leadership
Ph.D., Northcentral University
Penn GSE Faculty Sarah Schneider Kavanagh
Associate Professor
Ph.D., University of Washington
Penn GSE Faculty Matthew Kay
Facilitator
Penn GSE Faculty Christopher Pupik Dean
Senior Fellow
Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania
Penn GSE Faculty Abby Reisman
Associate Professor
Ph.D., Stanford University
Penn GSE Faculty Howard C. Stevenson
Constance Clayton Professor of Urban Education
Ph.D., Fuller Graduate School of Psychology
Penn GSE Faculty Jonathan Zimmerman
Judy and Howard Berkowitz Professor in Education
Ph.D., Johns Hopkins University

What Alumni Are Saying About Similar Programs

“It has given me a whole new way to think about how to help my students learn.”

“This program is extremely creative, thought provoking, and relevant. There are very few programs like this out there.”

“I feel reenergized after participating.”