Is it possible to rescue civic dialogue in America’s divisive political landscape -- to move forward by reaching back? That’s the lofty hope of a free community seminar class offered at Kenny Lake Community Hall on Wednesdays, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The first meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 31. 

The class's goal is simple: create a productive, meaningful dialogue using seminal American documents as the focal point and foundation. We will use the highly interactive Paideia model. A Paideia Seminar develops intellectual skills by teaching participants to ask open-ended, critical-thinking questions of analyzing, evaluating, and creating. This instructional method develops the art of speaking and listening using a respectful dialogue. 

The method is straightforward: Participants read a document critically, looking for discrepancies or sections that elicit open-ended questions. These questions are explored in a shared discussion. The rules are relatively simple: this is not a forum for personal attacks, but ideas may be challenged using facts, reason, and civic dialogue. For example, while reading the Declaration of Independence, the participants might discuss how a citizenry can determine whether a right is self-evident? 

The class will run weekly for 90 minutes. The lineup of readings is as follows:

• The Declaration of Independence

• U.S. Constitution: Preamble and Bill of Rights

• The Federalist No 10 by James Madison

• Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address

• Abraham Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address

• Letter from Birmingham Jail by Martin Luther King. 

Former teacher, Ray Voley, will lead the class. He taught for 25 years in Alaska, everywhere from Bush Alaska and Kenny Lake to Anchorage. He has taught classes on everything from Government to Economics, Drama to Graphics, Entrepreneurship to English, U.S. History to World History. Of all the different teaching methods he has used in his 25 years, he believes the seminar Paideia method has been the most effective in promoting higher-level thinking skills amongst all his students. 

If you are interested in the class, please contact Ray at rvoley@gmail.com, or call him at 259-5611. The only materials you need for the class is a pen or pencil, and a highlighter. Copies of the readings will be provided, and there is no charge for the class. In this age of COVID-19, the goal will be to limit the first group to within 8-10 participants who maintain social distancing at the tables.