This course emphasizes the Berkeley Changemaker themes of critical thinking, effective communication, and productive collaboration.
What does it mean to be open to opposing views? This course emphasizes the Berkeley Changemaker themes of critical thinking, effective communication, and productive collaboration. You will combine critical examination of evidence-based, multi-disciplinary research and theories with personal self-reflection and practice in engaged discourse. These are interwoven with implementable strategies, directly applicable to the public, private, and civic sectors, to help you develop a sharper sense of how to engage productively with those whose perspective might be radically different from your own. As you do so, you will be exposed to approaches from academic disciplines across UC Berkeley and will sharpen your changemaking skillset.
If you fully engage with this class, you will increase your ability to be open to opposing viewpoints.
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As a critical thinker, you will strengthen your ability to explore vexing problems and engage thoughtfully in productive conversation.
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You will become a more effective collaborator, who better understands the diverse lived experiences of others. -
You will improve your communication skills, better able to communicate your viewpoints and actively listen to the ideas of others.
While not required, L&S/UGBA C12/C196C is highly recommended as a co-requisite or prerequisite since this course complements and builds on that class.
This course is structured in 4 parts as follows:
Part I - WHY is being open to opposing views important?
Module 1: Introduction
Module 2: Thinking Critically
Module 3: Fostering Belonging
Part II - WHAT gets in the way and hinders our ability to be open to other’s views?
Module 4: The Tension Between Free Speech and Openness
Module 5: Recognizing Obstacles (& Mitigating Their Impact)
Module 6: Timing and Approach are Everything
Part III - HOW can we strengthen our capacity to be open to others’ viewpoints? How might we find joy and delight in these conversations? How might we recover when things get off track?
Module 7: Understanding Cognitive Biases
Module 8: Active and Empathetic Listening
Module 9: Collaboration Across Differences
Module 10: Navigating Discomfort and Conflict in Challenging Conversations
Part IV Advanced Topics - What does being open to opposing views look like in disciplines across campus? How do academics practice this skill?
Module 11: Academic Discourse in Multiple Disciplines
Module 12: Academic Discourse in Multiple Disciplines
Module 13: Public Health: A Disciplinary Perspective
Module 14: Conclusion
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How might you engage in civil discourse with others, even when opinions differ and emotions are high?
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How do academics seek out and integrate/respond to opposing views that further their own research?
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What can we learn about how opposing views evolve over time?
Instructors:
Jennifer Johnson-Hanks, Executive Dean of the College of Letters & Science and Professor of Demography and Sociology
Laura Hassner, Professional Faculty, Haas School of Business, and Executive Director, Innovation & Entrepreneurship and Berkeley Changemaker
NOTE: Lower-division students should enroll in the lower-division section (L&S 4), while third year students and above should enroll in the upper-division version (L&S 104) of this course. No student should enroll in more than one section of this course.
Which section should I enroll in?
Lower-division students (first and second years) should enroll in the lower-division section (L&S 4 lower-division here), while third year students and above should enroll in the upper-division version (L&S 104 upper-division version here) of this course. No student should enroll in more than one section of this course.
Can I repeat this course for credit under a different designation?
No, the course is not repeatable for credit. Lower-division students should enroll in L&S 4, while Upper-division students should enroll in L&S 104. Completing the course under one designation means you cannot receive additional credit by taking it under the other in a different term.
Can I repeat this course for credit under a different designation?
No, the course is not repeatable for credit. Lower-division students should enroll in L&S 4, while Upper-division students should enroll in L&S 104. Completing the course under one designation means you cannot receive additional credit by taking it under the other in a different term.
What's the course format?
In order to make this course as accessible as possible, we have created a fully online and asynchronous course. You will be engaging with weekly modules. In the summer, BC:OOV will be offered as a six week course (Summer Sessions D: July 7 - August 15). You can enroll in the L&S 4 lower-division here and the L&S 104 upper-division version here. In the fall and spring, it will be an eight week, half-semester-length course.
Will I be asked to practice having a conversation about a divisive issue in this course?
We will be teaching the theory, research, and best practices around how to be open to opposing views, as well as why doing so is important and can even be a joyful experience. Students will not be delving into contemporary, hot button issues in this course.
Who teaches this course?
Working with faculty and staff from across UC Berkeley, Dean Johnson-Hanks and Professor Hassner co-designed this course in partnership with UC Berkeley’s Center for Teaching and Learning. The course features over 15 faculty members whose research interests and expertise span the UC Berkeley campus.
I'm a pre-college/visiting/non-UC Berkeley student, can I take this course?
Yes, we welcome all students interested in learning more about how to be open to opposing views to enroll in this course.
What's the grading option?
This is a one unit course with a Pass/No Pass grading option. You may not take this course for a letter grade.
Will this course be offered again after this summer?
Yes, this course will be offered in Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 as an 8 week (half-semester) option.
Does this course qualify for the Berkeley Changemaker Certificate of Completion?
All Berkeley Changemaker courses qualify for the Berkeley Changemaker Certificate of Completion. Since this is a P/NP course, an exception will be made so that you can apply this course to the certificate. All other Berkeley Changemaker courses (also with the exception of the Newton Series course), must be taken for a letter grade.
You can find more information on the certificate here:
https://changemaker.berkeley.edu/berkeley-changemaker-certificate-completion
I still have questions about this course. How can I learn more?
Please write to us at: changemaker@berkeley.edu
Mark Brilliant, Associate Professor, Department of History, Program in American Studies
Lisa García Bedolla, UC Berkeley Vice Provost for Graduate Studies and Hitchock Dean of the Graduate Division, and Chancellor's Professor of Education
Ron Hassner, Chancellor’s Chair in Political Science
Ben Hermalin, Executive Vice Chancellor & Provost, Professor of Economics, and the Thomas & Alison Schneider Distinguished Professor of Finance at Berkeley Haas
Arlie Hochschild, Professor Emerita, Sociology
Nicole Holliday, Acting Associate Professor Of Linguistics
Bree Jenkins, Lecturer, Center for Social Sector Leadership, Haas
Dacher Keltner, Distinguished Professor, Psychology
Francesca LeBaron, Professional Faculty, Center for Equity, Gender, and Leadership, Center for Social Sector Leadership, Entrepreneurship & Innovation, Management of Organizations, Haas
Michael Lu, Dean, UC Berkeley School of Public Health
Jyothi Marbin, Director of Joint Medical Program at UC Berkeley and Assistant Dean of UCSF Regional Campus at UC Berkeley, Professor of Pediatrics at UCSF
Rodolfo Mendoza-Denton, Richard and Rhoda Goldman Distinguished Professor, Psychology
Don Moore, Professor and Lorraine Tyson Mitchell Chair in Leadership and Communication, Management of Organizations, Haas
Oliver O'Reilly, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education (VPUE), UC Berkeley
Christine Palmer, Associate Director, American Studies
Saul Perlmutter, 2011 Nobel Laureate and Franklin W. and Karen Weber Dabby Professor, Physics
Eric Schickler, Professor and Jeffrey & Ashley McDermott Endowed Chair, Political Science
