Monday, March 23 | Using Community Agreements to Foster Pro-Pluralism Classrooms

This session, hosted by Academy for Teaching and Learning, will introduce the framework of "Pedagogies for Pluralism," offering practical guidance on how community agreements can establish pro-pluralism classroom environment. To register for this event, click HERE.

*Only for Faculty

Location: Online

Time: 12:30-1 p.m.

Monday, March 23 | Why Politics is Hard to Talk About, and How to Fix It

Along with money, sex, and religion, politics is hard to talk about in polite conversations. And yet, talking openly about politics is essential for a healthy democracy. In this short, engaging discussion, Dr. Luke Winslow will identify the causes of political dysfunction and propose a set of solutions to improve our ability to talk openly and effectively about politics.

Speaker: Dr. Luke Winslow, in conversation with Dr. Jane Damron

Location: Morrison 100

Time: 2:30-3:30 p.m.

Monday, March 23 | Public Deliberation Initiative: Facilitated Discussion on the Church's Role in a Divided Society

Through Baylor's Intercultural Engagement, join the Public Deliberation Initiative for a dialogue on The Church's Role in a Divided Society. Through this facilitated discussion, we'll practice hospitality toward differing opinions, engage in active listening, and explore how communities can make better, more legitimate decisions together.

Location: Bill Daniel Student Center, Beckham and Fentress

Time: 6-8 p.m.

Monday, March 23 | Bringing Ben Home: A Discussion of Injustice, Faith, and Forgiveness, with Barbara Bradley Hagerty and Ben Spencer

Award-winning journalist Barbara Bradley Hagerty has spent years digging into this issue of a wrongfully committed Black man named Ben Spencer. In the book Bringing Ben Home she threads together two narratives: how an innocent Black man got caught up in and couldn’t escape a legal system that refused to admit its mistakes; and what Texas and other states are doing to address wrongful convictions to make the legal process more equitable for everyone.

Come hear Barbara Bradley Hagerty and Ben Spencer talk about this powerful story of pain, resilience, and the power of listening to those whom society would prefer to ignore. 

This lecture is sponsored by the Institute for Faith and Learning, Honors College, George W. Truett Theological Seminary, and Student Life.

Location: Paul Powell Chapel, George W. Truett Theological Seminary

Time: 5-6:30 p.m.

Monday, March 23 | Bridging the Divide in Healthcare

This event aims to bring together students from multiple pre health organizations for small group discussions centered on healthcare related case studies. Participants will practice respectful dialogue, explore diverse perspectives, and navigate complex ethical dilemmas in a collaborative setting, to enhance their understanding of civil discourse. 

Location: Cashion 318

Time: 7-8 p.m.

Tuesday, March 24 | Uncivilized Discourse 101: The Simple Things We Often Do That Shut Down Good Communication

Ghosting. Virtue Signaling. Boundary setting. We all have practices we use when communicating with people who are different from us. But when is a practice healthy, and when is it harmful? In this interactive workshop, you'll walk through simple communication practices that lead to healthy communication even in differences. To register, click HERE.

Location: Bobo Spiritual Life Center

Time: 2-3 p.m.

Tuesday, March 24 | Can We Talk: Speaking the Truth in Love

Can We Talk: Speaking the Truth in Love, is an interactive presentation designed to help participants communicate with clarity, courage, and Christ-centered compassion. Grounded in Scripture and informed by principles from Crucial Conversations, this session explores how to navigate difficult conversations when emotions are strong and opinions differ. Participants will engage in practical exercises, reflect on temperament differences, and develop tools for fostering healthy dialogue in church, workplace, and relational contexts. The goal is to equip individuals to speak truth faithfully while preserving unity and demonstrating love.

Location: Foster 416

Time: 3-4 p.m.

Tuesday, March 24 | Baby in a... bag? 

Join the Ethics Society at Baylor for a facilitated discussion exploring the ethical questions raised by emerging medical technologies. Using a case from the National Bioethics Bowl titled “Baby in a Bag?”, participants will discuss the ethical implications of artificial womb technology and its potential impact on neonatal care and reproductive ethics. After a brief introduction to the case and the science behind artificial womb technology, attendees will participate in small-group discussions guided by Baylor Bioethics Bowl participants, philosophy/bioethics graduate students, Ethics Society student leaders, and Bridgebuilding Fellows. This event is open to all Baylor students and aims to foster thoughtful dialogue and respectful engagement across differing viewpoints. Free food and drinks will be provided.

Location: SUB Den 

Time: 6-7 p.m.

Tuesday, March 24 | College Republicans and College Democrats 

This is an opportunity for open dialogue amongst students who have differing opinions on important political & cultural issues. This is an extension of last year's dialogue where audience members have the opportunity to ask the participating representatives questions and engage with these topics.

Location: Foster 240

Time: 6-7:15 p.m.

Tuesday, March 24 | The Art of Loving

Her Campus and Phi Beta Sigma will be hosting an event about college relationships and will be holding space for attendants to discuss common situations that arise in relationships, and share whether they believe these situations are red or green flags. They will then have the opportunity to share their reasonings for such opinions with story telling.

Location: Schumacher Flex Commons (Moody 1st Floor)

Time: 6-8 p.m.

Wednesday, March 25 | Read Before You React (pop-up table)

During Civil Discourse Week, Baylor University Libraries will host a pop-up table highlighting the role of information literacy in meaningful dialogue. Students are invited to explore how headlines, evidence, framing, and AI-generated content shape disagreement and to reflect on the habits that make responsible conversation possible.

No debates: just thoughtful inquiry and practical tools for evaluating information before reacting.

Location: Moody Library

Time: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Wednesday, March 25 | Tough Topics in Ministry Today: Civil Discourse and Truth-Telling

George W. Truett Theological Seminary will host a lunch, during which a panel of three Truett faculty discuss challenging topics for today's ministers.  Then, groups will be led in a guided discussion about what issues they see on the forefront of ministry and how to talk about them. To RSVP for this event, click HERE.

Location: Truett 309

Time: 12-1 p.m.

Wednesday, March 25 | Civil Discourse Vespers

As a part of Civil Discourse Week, Baylor Spiritual Life is hosting a Vespers prayer gathering. We will pray for more civil discourse in our country and world, and Assistant Director of Pastoral Care, Tyler Conway, will discuss the topic of nonviolent communication. For more information, click HERE.

Location: Bobo Spiritual Life Center

Time: 3:30-4 p.m.

Wednesday, March 25 | Finding Common Grounds: Cultivating Civil Discourse

Come drink some free coffee from Common Grounds, get a snack, and learn how to better handle important conversations around difficult topics. In this event, we will introduce you to the core ideas of bridgebuilding and give you the opportunity to practice having conversations. To register, click HERE.

Location: Memorial Drawing Room

Time: 3:30-4:30 p.m.

Wednesday, March 25 | Communication for the Common Good

Panelists: Professor Harrison DeHay, Dr. Leslie Hahner, Dr. Scott Varda, Dr. Sarah Varga

Location: Morrison 100

Time: 4-5 p.m.

Thursday, March 26 | Civil Discourse in Education: Won't You Be My Neighbor?

In the spirit of Mister Rogers' iconic invitation, we're stepping beyond campus to talk about what it really means to be a neighbor. Hosted by the BridgeBuilding Fellows and the Moody School of Education, this panel brings together Baylor students, faculty, and Waco community members to burst the "Baylor bubble."

School of Education affiliates offer a grounded perspective here—they're in Waco classrooms every day, working with local kids and families. They see the city's realities up close and have a real stake in its future.

Join us in the Schumaker Flex Commons at Moody Library from 5-6pm on  Thursday, March 26th for an evening of honest conversation about building relationships that last beyond a semester.

Location: Schumaker Flex Commons at Moody Library

Time: 5-6 p.m.

Thursday, March 26 | Sexuality, Christianity, and Baylor: Naming and Navigating Our Differences with Civility

While Baylor has defined its institutional position* on human sexuality, insofar as Baylor reflects the global church—with a variety of Christian traditions and denominations represented amongst its students, faculty, staff, and alumni—diverging views and disagreements on human sexuality remain within the Baylor family. How might we navigate those differences at Baylor with civility, grace, humility, and love? Join Bridgebuilding Fellow Mark Richards for a facilitated, charitable, and courageous discussion exploring this question.

*Please note that this event does NOT signal a change or a move to considering a change in Baylor’s Statement on Human Sexuality.

Location: Draper 152

Time: 6-7:30 p.m.

Thursday, March 26 | Better Together

Collaborating with PRISM and InterVarsity, Better Together is hosting a civil discourse event that combines themes of sexuality and religion to cultivate deep discussion and understanding of one another. This will take place on Thursday, March 26^th from 6pm-7pm in SUB room 202. Catering will be provided from L&L Hawaiian BBQ..

Location: SUB 202

Time: 6-7 p.m.

Thursday, March 26 | Civil Discourse Week Story Exchange

Celebrate Civil Discourse Week by building bridges and stepping into someone else's shoes through swapping stories with fellow students. Join Intercultural Engagement for a Story Exchange, created by Narrative 4, on Thursday, March 26th from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm in the Collins Classroom for a time of connection, conversation, and community. To RSVP, click here.

Location: Collins Classroom

Time: 6:30-8 p.m.

Friday, March 27 | The Philosophical Foundations of Political Discourse

Is it possible for two people who hold opposite positions on a political topic to both be right? Logic says “no. ” But politics isn’t logic. Find out how it is in fact possible and what the implications are for how we talk to each other about tough political issues.

Speakers: Dr. David Corey, Professor of Political Science in the Honors College and Dr. Michael Whitenton, Director of Academic Initiatives at Interfaith America

Location: Memorial Drawing Room

Time: 3:30-4:30 p.m.

Friday, March 27 | Sic'Em Slam

The culminating event of Civil Discourse Week will be the 2026 Sic 'Em Slam. Sic 'Em Slam is a night of performances where the art of storytelling and spoken-word poetry come center stage. This unique event delivers an evening of student, faculty, and staff storytellers and spoken-word artists sharing pieces of their lives in dramatic fashion. This year it will be the capstone event of Civil Discourse Week, held on Friday, March 27, 2026. Looking forward to a night of storysharing and community! 

Location: Barfield Drawing Room 

Time: 7-9pm