Curiosity Workshop with Monica Guzman

Join Monica Guzman, author of "I Never Thought of It That Way" in this interactive workshop. This workshop trains participants in ways to practice curiosity to have better and more productive disagreements. Over the course of in-depth one-to-one breakout exercises and short plenary exercises, participants learn the basic workings of our "knowledge emotion" and how to wield it to help bridge the divides that paralyze us. Mónica guides participants in the practice of listening with curiosity to build their understanding of different views, as well as themselves.

Participants will practice:
-detecting the assumptions that can block meaningful inquiry
-using the gaps in their knowledge to fuel understanding
-asking three uniquely constructive types of questions when discussing political or controversial issues
-formulating questions that clarify another person's perspective while avoiding the pitfalls that divide us

Participants will also have opportunities to ask their own questions about how best to apply these practices, including in situations where other people do not "seem curious," when people are divided on what's true, etc.

Monica Guzman is a Senior Fellow for Public Practice at Braver Angels, host of the new podcast A Braver Way, and author of The New York Times recommended read I Never Thought of it That Way: How to Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times.

This event is part of the Binghamton University Common Read Experience. The Common Read Experience is a program that helps students gain new perspectives on the most important issues of our days, learn how to engage in constructive dialogue and debate, and acclimate to the intellectual life of a premier university. For more information, visit the website.

Community Members: Parking will be made available at the Visitors Parking Lot across from The Glenn G. Bartle Library. All visitors will be issued a guest pass upon departure.

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