Procedures

• STEP 1.

  Assign background reading from textbook or another appropriate source relating to civility and political discourse.

• STEP 2.

  As a class watch the following video clip and discuss discourse as it relates to the current political climate.

  VIDEO CLIP: Introduction on Civility in Politics (4:36) Carolyn Lukensmeyer, Executive Director at the National Institute for Civil Discourse at the University of Arizona, discussed the role of civility in politics and its effect on the 2016 presidential election.

• STEP 3.

  Break students up into groups and have each group view the following video clips. Students should take notes using the Jigsaw handout, and share their findings with the rest of the class.

  HANDOUT: Civility and Political Discourse Jigsaw Worksheet (Google Doc)

• VIDEO

  VIDEO CLIP: Effects of Civil Discourse (2:42) Former U.S. Representative Lee Hamilton (D) Indiana argues that calmer and quiet voices actually accomplish more in our government.

  VIDEO CLIP: Partisan Politics and Sound Bites in the Media (1:33) John Palfrey on the impact and influence of the media in representing political discussion and discourse.

  VIDEO CLIP: Expressing Minority Viewpoints (1:41) Keli Carender, a tea party activist and blogger, discusses the challenges of expressing minority viewpoints that disagrees with others.

  VIDEO CLIP: Role of New Media in Political Civility (2:00) John Palfrey discussed the role of new media and technology in political civility.

  VIDEO CLIP: Role of Technology and Anonymity (1:08) Hank Klibanoff discusses anonymity with regards to technology, social media, and discourse.

  VIDEO CLIP: Historical Context of Political Discourse (1:47) Monica Crowley provides examples of political discourse throughout U.S. story.

  VIDEO CLIP: Civil Discourse Among Political Candidates (1:00) Patrick Allit on civil discourse among political candidates.