NEH Discussion Leader Preparatory Syllabus and Schedule
National University Spectrum Campus, Leadership Room
Workshop Overview
Veteran NEH Discussion Leaders complete a four-day training over two weekends to study three wars (Trojan, Vietnam, Operation Iraqi Freedom), practice close readings of the humanities texts used in the Discussion Groups, and train in discussion-facilitation techniques. The faculty trainers and guest lecturers will help participants learn to lead the kinds of discussions that create space for meaningful dialogue, enable participants to talk about themes in humanities texts as they relate to their experiences of war, and maintain an appropriate intellectual perspective. Using facilitation methods based on the work of Sally Brown in “The Art of Teaching in Small Groups,”1 Drs. Venter, Weeks, and Zukas will model various discussion techniques. Trainees will practice these techniques in small groups to enable them to develop a comfortable facilitation style. Dr. Venter will focus on training Discussion Leaders to handle conversations that become emotional. Recognizing and working with the varieties of personal experiences and perspectives that emerge in group discussions, Drs. Weeks and Zukas will focus on techniques that promote maximum participation and thematic discussions. In addition, to providing appropriate background and context for the humanities sources, Drs. Weeks and Zukas will introduce and discuss secondary historical materials that illuminate those sources. Guest lecturers James Bond, Ben Holmes, Gary Vorous, and Dr. Lorna Zukas will provide special content lectures based on their areas of expertise.
Required Reading:2
- Caroline Alexander. The War That Killed Achilles: The True Story of Homer's Iliad and the Trojan War. New York: Penguin, 2010.
- Beth Bailey and Richard H. Immerman, eds. Understanding the U.S. Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. New York: New York University Press, 2015.
- Norman M. Camp, MD. US Army Psychiatry in the Vietnam War: New Challenges in Extended Counterinsurgency Warfare (Fort Sam Houston, Texas: Borden Institute, 2014). Chapter 8, pp. 259-320.
- Mark Atwood Lawrence. The Vietnam War: A Concise International History. New York: Oxford University Press, 2010.
- NEH Discussion Leaders will facilitate a discussion on one selected Discussion Group reading.
1 Participants will be provided with copies.
2 Participants will be provided the full workshop schedule and readings two months prior to the first meeting.
Schedule
Day 1: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Introductions, orientation, and understanding the NEH Dialogues of War project and the NEH Discussion Leader Training Program and the NEH Discussion Group program.
- Understanding Veterans: challenges, diversity, and commitment. Lectures and discussions with Prof. Venter and guests Mr. James Bond and Mr. Ben Holmes with focus on program themes heroism and loyalty.
- Learning discussion facilitation techniques: 1) Leading humanities-focused discussions (Prof. Weeks); 2) Discussion facilitation from a psychological perspective, handling emotional discussions (Prof. Venter).
- Discussing the Trojan War: historical background from The War That Killed Achilles and small-group discussion facilitation practice using leitmotifs from the Iliad (Prof. A. Zukas).
Day 2: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Challenges faced by veterans in the field and in transitioning home. Lectures and discussion with Prof. Venter and Mr. Bond with focus on program themes trauma and homecoming.
- Learning discussion facilitation techniques to encourage safe, open dialogue in uncomfortable situations or in moments of disagreement (Profs. Venter and A. Zukas).
- Discussing Lawrence’s, The Vietnam War (Prof. Weeks) and small-group discussion facilitation practice using leitmotifs from US Army Psychiatry in the Vietnam War (Prof. Venter).
- Understanding history through film and facilitation strategies using leitmotifs from Vietnam readings Dispatches & What It Is Like to Go to War with curated film clips (Profs. A. Zukas and Weeks).
- Learning about Women in War. Guest lecture and discussion with Prof. L Zukas; small group facilitation practice with leitmotifs from Sisterhood of War. Group discussion on the changing history of women in war.
Day 3: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Diverse backgrounds and perspectives of military veterans. Lectures and discussion with Prof. Venter and Mr. Gary Vorous with focus on program themes Heroism, homecoming, loyalty, and trauma.
- Discussing the role of family in a warrior’s experience. Practicing discussion facilitation techniques that promote participation from diverse groups with varying experiences using leitmotifs from Faith of my Fathers (Prof. Weeks).
- Understanding the U.S. War in Iraq (Prof. A. Zukas). Small-group practice of facilitation strategies using leitmotifs from Rule #2. Discussion will revisit women in the combat arena. Review introducing highly emotional topics in a group discussion setting (Profs. Venter & A. Zukas).
Day 4: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Discussion Leaders facilitate a mock discussion using a NEH Discussion Group reading and articulate at least two program themes (30 minute presentations). Questions and feedback to follow each discussion.
