University of North Texas 
Civil Discourse in Teaching Workshop
The Civil Discourse in Teaching Workshop is a professional development experience designed to help instructors create classroom environments that promote respectful and productive dialogue — especially when discussions become complex or sensitive.
Developed in partnership with Faculty Success and the Faculty Senate, this workshop supports the Teaching Hub’s mission of enhancing teaching impact and effectiveness across UNT educators. Participants will engage in collaborative scenario-based discussions, share strategies in small groups and gain practical, university-supported resources for addressing real-world classroom interactions.
Spring 2026 Workshop Dates and Registration
- TBD
Check back soon for more information and a registration link.
Workshop Goals
By the end of the session, participants will be able to:
- Navigate challenging classroom dialogue with greater confidence and empathy
- Integrate strategies that foster civil discourse and inclusive engagement in learning environments
- Apply guidance from both faculty and administrative perspectives to support student accountability and respectful discussion
- Access ready-to-use, pre-screened resources like syllabus statements that align with UNT policy and compliance standards
Workshop Format
Each workshop includes two parts.
In scenario work, participants collaborate in small groups — either in-person or via Zoom breakout rooms — to analyze and respond to real classroom situations related to civil discourse.
A faculty panel of teaching experts then share constructive feedback and practical solutions, while an administrative panel of policy and compliance leaders address student accountability and university guidance. Together, these perspectives provide a well-rounded approach to fostering civil dialogue in teaching spaces.
The Civil Discourse in Teaching Workshop focuses on teaching-related applications of civil discourse — empowering educators to enhance their classroom effectiveness and student engagement. Other campus entities will provide resources addressing additional aspects of civil discourse and broader faculty support.