November 13, 2012
Engaged in learning: University offering certificate in dialogue, deliberation and public engagement
Submitted by Lindsey Staab and Rosanna Vail
Kansas State University's Institute for Civic Discourse and Democracy and Division of Continuing Education will offer a professional development program focused on making wise choices for public engagement.
Dialogue, Deliberation and Public Engagement is a 19-week noncredit certificate program consisting of two face-to-face courses and two online courses. The program focuses on developing the knowledge and skills necessary to work within and across public, nonprofit and corporate sectors.
David Procter, director of the Center for Engagement and Community Development at Kansas State University, says the award-winning curriculum was developed and taught by U.S. and international experts in the dialogue, deliberation and public engagement field.
"We have taught courses in deliberation on campus, and now this distance and face-to-face certificate program makes these important learning opportunities accessible for those across the U.S. and the world," Procter said.
The program is designed for city managers and planners, facilitators, consultants, community and organizational development practitioners, mediators and conflict resolution professionals, public service employees, and more.
Janice Elliot, program co-leader in the Institute for Civic Discourse and Democracy at Kansas State University, says the program is available through collaboration with the Public Dialogue Consortium, International Institute for Sustained Dialogue and the Kettering Foundation.
"Courses are led by internationally recognized scholar practitioners who work in diverse contexts, cultures and countries to support learning," Elliot said. "They will help professionals develop mastery in dialogue, deliberation and engagement by working with a scholar-practitioner model of collaborative learning and reflective practice."
Online courses are offered through distance learning at Kansas State University and include focused reading, individual and collaborative reflection, and group online and phone-based learning conversations with core and guest faculty. A capstone engagement project provides the opportunity for coached practice with faculty and seasoned practitioners.
"Year after year, participants talk about the depth of learning they gained through this program, the wonderful faculty and depth and breadth of the curriculum, and the value of the relationships they develop with other participants," said Linda Blong, program co-leader in the Institute for Civic Discourse and Democracy at Kansas State University. "The program offers a great balance of practice and fundamental knowledge development."
The certificate program's first course offerings begin in January 2013. Learn more about the program or register at http://www.dce.k-state.edu/conf/dialogue/.