About this Guide
We recommend this guide because it gives instructors a plug-and-play, two-week sequence with concrete prompts, timings, and rubrics that measurably builds trust, belonging, and shared norms before difficult topics arise. It blends evidence-based face-to-face and digital strategies (e.g., collaborative annotation, polling, structured controversy) so courses of any size or modality can practice listening, perspective-taking, and respectful, evidence-driven dialogue from day one.
If you want students to engage different ideas and perspectives, do not wait for hot topic issues to emerge and hope for the best. Plant the seeds for civil discourse on day 1.
We offer the below guide for approaching the first two weeks of a course with the intention of creating a community in which students can feel both safe and brave.