On October 10^th in the William Pitt Student Union Lower Lounge, the All Angles program will address the topic of polarization, which has been identified in the most recent student survey as a major concern about today’s society. Regardless of their political affiliation or level of political engagement, Pitt students indicated that society’s struggle with deep divisions needs to be addressed.

As a spotlight event of the Year of Discourse and Dialogue, and in partnership with the Center for Markets and Governance in the Graduate School of Public & International Affairs and the Institute of Politics’ Elsie Hillman Civic Forum, this All Angles session is called, Overcoming Polarization Beginning with How We Think. We will explore ways to overcome polarization by hearing from Dr. Ilana Redstone, Associate Professor in Sociology at the University of Illinois and author of a newly published book called, “The Certainty Trap: Why We Need to Question Ourselves More and How We Can Judge Others Less.”

In her book, Redstone states, “…avoiding the Certainty Trap is a necessary first step toward having the conversations that we so desperately need. It is how we move toward seeing each other as fellow citizens rather than enemies to destroy – something that democracy itself requires us to do.”

This program agenda begins with a special session reserved only for students beginning at 3:45 p.m. This is an opportunity for students to enjoy some food, meet the speaker, receive a free copy of her book, have a chance to meet classmates who share this concern about society, and delve into thought-provoking and challenging roundtable, student-focused exercises.

The second half of the agenda begins at 5:10 p.m. and is open to everyone including students, faculty, staff, and the public and will feature a fireside discussion with Dr. Redstone about her approach to overcoming polarization through the avoidance of the Certainty Trap.

3:34 – 5:00 p.m. – Student engagement and meet the author session. Food will be served for students.

5:00 – 6:45 p.m. – Open to Students, Faculty, Staff, and Public for fireside chat with Dr. Redstone

A Zoom link will be made available for both sessions for students at the Johnstown, Greensburg, and Bradford campuses.