Using Controversy in Food and Agriculture to Gain Skill in Civil Discourse.

Concern over the ability of citizens to engage in civil discourse has grown steadily in recent years. Civil discourse involves open-minded interactions between individuals or groups on issues of public significance which contribute to expanded understanding. Complex challenges involving food and agriculture and disparate views on how to address those challenges has increased the need to prepare agricultural professionals who are skilled in civil discourse. Environment, Global Food Production and the Citizen examines the structures of global agriculture and underlying ethical positions that frame current debate regarding food production and considers changes in agroecosystems to improve agriculture sustainability. Undergraduates who enroll in the course include majors in animal science, plant science, food science, nutrition, food systems and a small number of liberal arts majors. Typically, about half of enrolled students have a farm background, or were raised in rural areas, whereas the remainder are from urban areas. These groups often hold different concerns and contrasting views related to food, food production, and the environment. Recently we modified the course to include activities that contribute to students’ abilities to participate in civil discourse. Pedagogical approaches used included a classical structured academic controversy format, several modifications of the structured controversy format, small and large group discussion, small and large group writing, and personal reflection. Here we summarize students’ personal reflections and responses to a course survey to understand the impacts on attitudes and habits that contribute to civil discourse. Recommendations are provided on approaches to develop skills needed for civil discourse including understanding personal perspectives and the origins of those perspectives, effective listening and speaking skills, the ability to find and evaluate relevant information, effective written communication, willingness to engage in constructive dialogue and to compromise or change views when appropriate.