These courses represent a sample of academic offerings that provide skill building in civil discourse topics. For specific questions about courses and programs, contact your advisor or the offering department/college.
Fall 2024 Courses
From non-credit and certificate programs to multi-credit courses, Ohio State offers a range of in-person, online and hybrid learning opportunities to enhance civil discourse and difficult conversation skills to support your professional and personal growth.
Undergraduate courses
Non-credit and certificates
One-credit courses
LAW 4015: Difficult Conversations in Polarized Times
(Offered Session 1 and Session 2)
This course is offered by the Moritz College of Law Program on Dispute Resolution. It enhances students' skills in holding potentially fraught conversations. The course builds on skills used in interest-based negotiations.
Columbus—In Person
Three-credit courses
Students will explore the topic of the Conversations on Morality, Politics and Society (COMPAS) program from a variety of disciplinary perspectives and be required to attend or to view recordings of the various COMPAS events.
GE Foundation: Historical and Cultural Studies
Columbus—In Person
Building skills for handling tough conversations; practical ways to manage disagreement and disappointment in a constructive manner. Provides method for straight talk that moves people and positions forward. Principles further build a capacity to hold people accountable while increasing commitment & performance. Drives impact and competitive advantage at the leader, team, and organizational level.
Prereq: English 1110.01 or equiv.
Columbus—In Person
This course provides an overview of media's role in citizenship by learning about media industry operations, how media influence us, critical evaluation of media, media responsibility and literacy, and how our experiences and biases affect the current relationship between mass media and democracy. We will learn how to engage with media to promote informed, active, and responsible citizenship.
GE Theme: Citizenship
Columbus—Online Asynchronous
Marion and Newark—In Person
Lima—Hybrid
This course will explore the theory, history, and ethical issues associated with free speech and free press areas of the First Amendment. Students will analyze key legal and ethical issues that affect journalism and media, with a focus on cases that have shaped media law and theories that help journalism professionals make decisions.
Columbus—In Person and Hybrid sections
Introduces students to the study and practice of rhetoric and how arguments are shaped by technology, media, and cultural contexts.
Prereq: GE Foundation – Writing and Information Literacy course
GE Theme: Citizenship
Columbus—In Person and Online Asynchronous sections
Lima—Hybrid
Mansfield, Marion and Newark—In Person
Foundational concepts of citizenship in historical, current, and social science contexts; definitions, benefits, and responsibilities of citizenship. Citizenship and community participation in rural, urban, or suburban locations, differing perspectives, community institutions and civic engagement. Impacts of agricultural and environmental issues locally, nationally, and globally.
GE Theme: Citizenship
Columbus—In Person
Advanced study of U.S. constitutional history from Reconstruction to the present.
Prereq or concur: English 1110.xx, or permission of instructor
GE Foundation: Historical and Cultural Studies
Newark—In Person
This course examines the sonic expressions of people's status, identity, rights, and duties as political subjects across multiple scales of place. We will consider the value of cultural advocacy in the public sector and social activism in the public sphere and the importance of partnering with (non)governmental institutions, community organizations, and grassroots affiliates to advance musical art.
GE Theme: Citizenship
Columbus—In Person
The nature of right and wrong, good and evil; the grounds of moral choice and decision; the resolution of moral conflicts.
GE Foundation: Historical and Cultural Studies
Columbus and Newark—In Person
Lima—Online Synchronous
Introduction to American politics, the institutions and processes which create public policy, the strengths and weaknesses of the American political systems.
Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 3100 (300), 101, or 101H
GE Foundation: Social and Behavioral Sciences
Columbus—Online Asynchronous/Session 2
Marion and Newark—In Person
Introduction to politics and political science: power, democracy and authoritarianism, political participation, the state, political institutions, subfields of the discipline, and political research methodology.
Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 165 or 165H
GE Foundation: Social and Behavioral Sciences
Newark—Online Asynchronous
Students will engage in an in-depth study of the mechanics of democracy. Students will take a close look at various forms of voting and representation around the world and examine the motivation and tactics of elite actors (candidates, reporters, interest groups, political parties, media personalities, etc.) and the voting public.
GE Theme: Citizenship
Columbus, Marion and Newark—In Person
Assessment of the contemporary realities of U.S. governmental authority as interpreted by the judiciary; emphasis on judicial review, case and controversy requirements, and legislative and executive power.
Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 520.
Columbus—In Person
Lectures address experimental research in stereotyping and prejudice; readings focus on historical, cultural, and sociological perspectives on issues related to gender, ethnicity, and social class.
Prereq: 1100 or 1100H.
Columbus, Marion and Newark—In Person
Introduces students to the policymaking process and the core crafts on which schools of public affairs focus: policy analysis & evaluation and public administration & management.
GE Foundation: Social and Behavioral Sciences
Columbus—In Person and Online Asynchronous sections,
Mansfield—Online Asynchronous
This course introduces students to the role an engaged citizenry plays in a democracy. Students will explore trends in civic engagement, the reasons behind these trends, and their consequences; along with issues of social equity in engagement and strategies to increase civic participation.
GE Theme: Citizenship
Columbus—In Person
Graduate courses
Non-credit and certificates
Three-credit courses
Highlight the components of an effective negotiation and teach students to analyze their own behavior in negotiations. Largely experiential, course provides students with an opportunity to develop their skills by participating in negotiations and integrating their experiences with the principles presented in the assigned readings and course discussions.
Prereq: Enrollment in Fisher College of Business graduate programs. Not open to students with credit for 7240, 7241, or 7345.
Discusses the central role of communication in the concept of public opinion. Reviews research on the influence of communication on public opinion direction and quality.
Prereq: Graduate standing, or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for 813.
Sources and types of social conflict with special attention to international violence; causes of war; their avoidance and control.
Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 751
(Offered Session 2)
Negotiation skills have been identified as critical for effective, successful public management and leadership. Explores the major concepts and theories of negotiation to improve negotiation skills. Through readings, role play exercises and class discussion, students develop an understanding of individual negotiation styles and core approaches to negotiation and dispute resolution.
Prereq: Grad standing, or permission of instructor
Introduces negotiation and mediation skills from a social work perspective to resolve conflict in work with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
Prereq: Jr., Sr., or Graduate standing in Social Work