Replication Data for: Empowering Students to Have Difficult Conversations

Classroom discussions of current events and controversial topics can devolve into unproductive and highly charged debates. This article describes an in-class exercise used to foster respect during difficult conversations, by encouraging students to design rules for discussions and guidelines for creating a safe space for dialogue. This activity relies on three underlying principles: trust, empowerment and empathy. These principles can be integrated into a broader pedagogical approach, which emphasizes a democratic classroom and active learning. Student feedback shows that the intervention can be useful for promoting respectful and engaging discussions during moments of tension and polarization. But an emphasis on civility may also undermine the diversity of opinions, and require respecting student silences.