The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) kicks off its 2018-19 Faculty Excellence Lecture Series “Provocations” Oct. 11 in Prince Frederick with a presentation on “Communicating Civilly in an Uncivil Society.” This presentation will invite participants to examine their current interpersonal communication aptitudes, and find ways to interact more constructively, especially in challenging situations.
The lecture will be conducted by Michelle Brosco Christian, who has been teaching communication studies courses for CSM and previously University of Maryland, University College, for approximately 17 years. Christian joins Denise Gilmer-Knudson, a professor of communication at CSM where she has taught for the past 15 years. Both Gilmer-Knudson and Christian focus on the issue of civility in their communication courses and have attended multiple workshops and trainings on the subject.
This spring, they attended the Eastern Communication Association’s three-day conference “Building Bridges” that converged on the theoretical, pedagogical and practical applications of fostering connections and relationships through effective communication. The pair then conducted two workshops with CSM faculty and staff on “Having Difficult Conversations in the Workplace.”
Attendees to this Provocations event will discover how to develop empathy and understanding for people with differing ideas and take away some valuable tools for maintaining civil conversations in difficult situations. Using a variety of strategies and techniques, participants will consider the basics of engaging others in constructive discussions that aim for a win-win outcome and peaceful interactions.
The CSM Faculty Excellence Lecture Series will begin at 7 p.m. in Building B, Room 104 and 105, at the Prince Frederick Campus located at 115 J.W. Williams Road.
The lecture series was established to highlight and share the scholarly work and interests of CSM’s faculty with colleagues, students and community members. The lectures are free, but tickets are required and can be obtained at the CSM Box Office at bxoffc@csmd.edu. For more on the series, call 301-934-7578, e-mail Stephen Johnson at sjohnson2@csmd.edu or visit online at https://www.csmd.edu/calendar/arts/prince-frederick/CSM-Faculty-Excellence-Lecture-Series-Provocations-10.11.18.