Harvard University Free Online Course on JuryX: Deliberations for Social Change

About
this course

Today, you are the
law.

What does it mean to
be a citizen? It means to participate in your society, to connect with others,
and to decide, with them, the issues that you face.

It starts with you.

We need to learn to
talk civilly with each other about the issues of consequence, but are we
capable of learning how t

o speak together, listen together, and decide
together?

In JuryX:
Deliberations for Social Change, an experiment in online civic discourse, you
are invited to engage with Professor Nesson and others with an understanding
that each of us starts from a place of anonymity. Through a series of
asynchronous and synchronous online group activities, you will explore a
deliberative system by which emotionally charged issues can be discussed.

Although you will
learn a bit about the history of jury and even serve as a member of a virtual
jury for a mock criminal case, this experiment is about active participation in
the deliberative process and how you might use that framework to facilitate
dialogue within your own affinity group or community.

The program consists
of six modules. Each week, you will learn and apply a new step in a system
designed to foster meaningful dialogue. Starting with an introduction to the
course’s deliberative framework, you will move from a traditional jury-based
application to a live social issue unfolding in real time: the Massachusetts
referendum for the “Legalization, Regulation, and Taxation of Marijuana.” As
citizens of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts deliberate on this issue, so will
you and your JuryX peers. What arguments will shape this debate, and what will
the final outcome be?

Can we, civilly,
discuss an issue like marijuana regulation?

Two synchronous
small-group online deliberations will be held using Google Hangout.
Participation is optional, but highly recommended.

JuryX: Deliberations
for Social Change is, ultimately, about the most fundamental of human
interactions: communication. By listening, speaking, persuading, and being
persuaded, you will learn about yourself and others.

If you have faith,
faith will be given to you.

Honor
Code

HarvardX
requires individuals who enroll in its courses on edX to abide by the terms of
the edX honor code. HarvardX will take appropriate corrective action in
response to violations of the edX honor code, which may include dismissal from
the HarvardX course; revocation of any certificates received for the HarvardX
course; or other remedies as circumstances warrant. No refunds will be issued
in the case of corrective action for such violations. Enrollees who are taking
HarvardX courses as part of another program will also be governed by the
academic policies of those programs.

Research
Statement

HarvardX
pursues the science of learning. By registering as an online learner in an HX
course, you will also participate in research about learning. Read our research statement to learn more.

Nondiscrimination/Anti-Harassment
Harvard
University and HarvardX are committed to maintaining a safe and healthy
educational and work environment in which no member of the community is
excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subjected to
discrimination or harassment in our program. All members of the HarvardX
community are expected to abide by Harvard policies on nondiscrimination,
including sexual harassment, and the edX Terms of Service. If you have any
questions or concerns, please contact harvardx@harvard.edu and/or report your experience through the edX contact form.

What
you’ll learn

  • How to
    deliberate for social change using a process designed to move a community
    or affinity group from difference to consensus
  • How to
    reflect upon your participation in the deliberative process
  • How to
    use web-based tools to discuss emotionally charged issues
  • A
    high-level history of the jury

View Course Syllabus

Course
Syllabus

Week 1:
Deliberations for Social Change

Explore a system for deliberating emotionally charged issues. Explain the origins
of jury. Introduce yourself and discuss challenges related to online identity.
Share feedback.

Week 2: The
Trilemma of the Maroons

Explore the pre-deliberation stage. Discuss the “Trilemma of the Maroons”
question using an asynchronous pseudonymous discussion tool. Share feedback.

Week 3: The
Art of Deliberation – Part I

Consider a system for deliberation within a jury-based context. Prepare for the
deliberation stage by reviewing a stimulus for Commonwealth v. Hebert. Identify
best practices for engaging in thoughtful deliberation. Participate in a
pre-deliberation activity. Share feedback.

Week 4: The
Art of Deliberation – Part II

Deliberate Commonwealth v. Hebert as a member of a virtual jury. Share your
verdict. Reflect upon your deliberation experience.

Week 5: The
Legalization, Regulation, and Taxation of Marijuana – Part I

Consider how a system for deliberation can facilitate the discussion of a real
and emotionally charged social issue. Prepare for the deliberation stage by
reviewing a stimulus for the “Legalization, Regulation, and Taxation of
Marijuana” initiative in Massachusetts. Participate in a pre-deliberation
activity. Share feedback.

Week 6: The
Legalization, Regulation, and Taxation of Marijuana – Part II

Deliberate the “Legalization, Regulation, and Taxation of Marijuana” initiative
as a small group. Share your outcome. Reflect upon your deliberation
experience.

Epilogue and
Final Thoughts

Compare your decision to what citizens of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
chose. Share feedback.

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