The Kent State community is invited to join a virtual day-long teach-in hosted by the University via Zoom titled, “Don’t Hate – Debate (and Vote)!” on Fri., Oct. 23, beginning at 10 a.m.
Because the stakes are high in the 2020 General Election and voter commitment may be low due to information and misinformation, bots and PACs, inflamed rhetoric and viral memes, physical distancing, racial strife and political polarization. These are the headwinds students – many of them first-time voters – are facing as they head to the polls.
This event is sponsored by the College of Communication and Information, the Divisions of Student Affairs and Academic Affairs, and the School of Peace and Conflict Studies.
Topics for this event may include, but are not limited to, elections, political and social polarization and civil discourse. For example, some of the issues are: how to vote, social media and identity politics, spotting fake news, conspiracy theories, First Amendment freedoms, graphic novels, political cartoons, safe protests, lessons from May 4, 1970, politics and pandemics, rhetoric and persuasion, political geography, nonviolent protest tactics, de-escalation tactics, poetry and politics, sports activism, fashion and freedom of expression, and politics and religion.
Depending on the number of themes, each topic of discussion will last approximately 15 minutes with an additional 10-15 minutes of questions and answers.
Visit the “Don’t Hate – Debate (And Vote)!” website to register.