OGDEN – In his inaugural address, President Joe Biden has repeatedly expressed the desire to unite a country that is politically divided. However, polls conducted during the 2020 presidential election suggest that this will be a difficult task.
To assess polarization in the US and how it is emerging, Weber State University’s College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, together with the school’s online and continuing education department, are hosting a free online community course entitled “Why Are We This polarized? ? “It starts on March 15th and lasts until April 29th.
About eight out of ten voters among those who backed Biden and those who backed former President Donald Trump said they disagreed with the other side not only on politics, but also “fundamental disagreements on central America Had values and goals ”. “According to the Pew Research Center. The same poll found that nine out of ten supporters in both camps believed that the other candidate’s gain would cause “permanent damage” to the country.
Susan Matt, a professor of Weber State history who helped plan the course, said she will provide an opportunity for community members to better understand the US political divide and its causes.
“It is important for students, citizens and faculties to be able to discuss and evaluate the social, economic and political forces at work in our society – some of which unite us, others separate us – so that we can understand where we are going and how we got here, ”she said.
The faculty at the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences has already hosted three free community courses like this one, Matt said. They all deal with hot topics like the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 elections and the ongoing fight for civil rights.
When she and her colleagues were brainstorming a new course, according to Matt, someone came up with the idea of taking a closer look at polarization in America. “It resonated with everyone in the room,” she said.
Within seven weeks, students will hear from 12 different professors and community members on topics ranging from polarized moments in America’s past to the contribution of social media to today’s divide. You’ll also take a look at how polarization applies specifically to Ogden, Matt added.
“I don’t think there will be an answer that says this, and that alone is why we see social division, but I think (students) will see how there are many interlocking causes of our current polarization Situation, ”said Matt.
The instructors come from a variety of disciplines, including history, economics, sociology, communication, and political science. They will each have their own approach to the problem.
Each class will last about 45 minutes, Matt said. It will be held via the video conferencing platforms Zoom and Google Meet. When attending each class, attendees can receive free Weber State credit. Anyone who is interested can register at continue.weber.edu/communityed.
“(This class) should appeal to people from all walks of life,” Matt said. “We are throwing a wide net and hope to attract as many participants as possible. The doors are wide open and we hope to have a good conversation. “
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