Overview
The NEH Discussion Leader Preparatory program selects veteran leaders and/or veterans with a demonstrated capacity to be leaders who will help others think more deeply about the issues raised by war and military service. The Program will enhance their existing skills in using historical and literary resources and perspectives to understand and process traumatic and life-changing experiences.
The Pedagogical Approach for NEH Discussion Leader Development
The NEH Discussion Leader Preparatory Workshop focuses on developing leadership skills in the art of discussion facilitation and close reading of humanities texts (narrative, poems, films, and histories). The program emphasizes personal and professional skill building using an intensive workshop format. NEH Discussion Leaders will improve their teaching, mentoring, and coaching skills while conveying the rich content of the humanities. Working with historians, psychologists, and sociologists, they will learn the art of leading discussions that create space for meaningful dialogue that enables participants to talk about their reflections and understandings of key themes in humanities texts as they relate to the experience of war. Faculty and guest lecturers model and work closely with NEH Discussion Leaders on how to handle emotional topics and recognize the varieties of participants’ personal experiences and perspectives while keeping sight of the most common elements engaged by humanities sources.
The Workshop prepares NEH Discussion Leaders to work with veterans and civilians, to think about the tough challenges that war presents in societies (past and present), and to explore various avenues for thriving during adverse and favorable periods. In addition to helping local veterans and promoting life-long learning and understanding of the impacts of war, discussion leaders will develop their education portfolio, gain discussion facilitation and teaching experience, and strengthen their leadership capabilities.
PROGRAM STRUCTURE
Workshops
The NEH Discussion Leader Preparatory Workshop takes place over four (4) intensive days (November 7-8 & November 21-22) from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The interactive workshop enables hands-on integrated training for participants who will model what they learn, practice facilitation skills in small groups, and have regular interaction with the faculty, one another, and guest lecturers. Sessions are co-designed by National University Humanities and Social Science Faculty. This team of expert and award-winning teachers, guest speakers, and veteran leaders are present each day of the workshop. These faculty, guest presenters, and mentors will:
• Facilitate group process and dialogue
• Build capacities for effective teaching, coaching, and discussion facilitation
• Conduct practice sessions in close readings of humanities texts and model the articulation of themes
• Offer professional mentoring and coaching
Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the NEH Discussion Leader Training will take place online.
Discussion Group Project
National University will host two public Discussion Groups in which NEH Discussion Leaders will use their training to create learning communities as part of the discussion program, A Soldier’s Place: Veterans and Civilians Speaking about War. This program enables veterans and others affected by events of war to explore relevant humanities resources and their own experiences of war within a collegial, empathetic, trusting, and non-judgmental environment. Discussion groups will meet twice monthly for five months (January to May 2021) for 2 hours each time. Groups will meet either on a weekday evening or on a Saturday during the day. Discussion leaders will work with up to six people in a small group. To expand the opportunity for discussion, the program will culminate in a daylong public war film festival at National University. Online discussion groups may be mandated by the presence of the Corona Virus.
Eligibility
Applicants to the NEH Discussion Leader Training Program must be veterans who hold or are completing a Master’s Degree in the Humanities or an allied field. (An exceptional Bachelor’s Degree holder may be considered).
NEH Discussion Leader Compensation
NEH Discussion Leaders receive all program materials free of charge and a $2,750.00 stipend. The stipend is payable in two payments. The first stipend payment of $1,000.00 is paid upon successful completion of the NEH Discussion Leader Preparatory Workshop. The second stipend payment of $1,750.00 is paid upon successful completion of the NEH Discussion Groups