What is Humanities Forum?
Humanities Forum brings people together to talk about contemporary issues. The emphasis is on the public exchange of ideas and perspectives—public, as in “everyone is welcome,” and exchange, as in “you offer your opinion, other people add their ideas, and we all walk away with a better understanding of each other and our world.”
Under the Forum model, participants are asked to read a short humanities text which serves as the springboard for conversation. Humanities disciplines include history, literature, jurisprudence, ethics, language, and philosophy. Discussions are moderated by a scholar-facilitator to ensure a productive atmosphere where differing ideas are treated with curiosity and mutual respect.
Who can host a Humanities Forum?
Where do people gather in your community to discuss current issues? Is it the library, local bookstore or coffee shop? That is the perfect place to host! Any organization or business that wishes to host may apply. The host organization identifies a project director who is responsible for publicizing the event, locating the scholar-facilitator(s), completing an evaluation form, and returning all necessary paperwork to OHC.
What topics can be discussed?
The topics should be timely and pertinent to the community. The topics should also be rooted in the humanities. It is through the accumulated knowledge within the various humanities disciplines that we can better understand current issues, whether they be political, social, or legal. The Humanities Forum program is not designed to build consensus or advocate any cause.
Examples of previous topics include:
God and Country: The Civic Role of Religion
E Pluribus Unum: Humankind and the Rhetoric of Race
Medical Humanities and the Role of the Republic: Is Healthcare a Human Right?
What humanities texts should be used?
The humanities text(s) should be relevant to the discussion. The text could be a short story, a poem, an article, or government document. The text should be short enough that someone joining the discussion could read immediately before the event. The scholar-facilitator should be involved in the selection process.
Examples of previous texts include:
Thomas Jefferson, “Virginia Statute on Religious Freedom” for “God and Country: The Civic Role of Religion.”
“The New Colossus” by Emma Lazarus for “E Pluribus Unum: Humankind and the Rhetoric of Race.”
The Declaration of Independence for “Medical Humanities and the Role of the Republic: Is Healthcare a Human Right?”
What is a scholar-facilitator?
The scholar-facilitator is someone who provides background on the subject and briefly describes the humanities text. The scholar-facilitator does not need to be an expert on the subject but should do a reasonable amount of research prior to the event. A person with an advanced degree in a humanities discipline is ideal but there is no specific educational requirement. Being able to relate the current issue to scholarship (through the provided text) is critical. Most importantly, the scholar-facilitator should guide, not control, the discussion.
The scholar-facilitator is paid a small honorarium ($150) plus mileage based on current IRS rates (not to exceed 200 miles/rt). The scholar-facilitator is paid directly by OHC.
Are there any rules for discussion?
The following principles help guide good civic discourse and provide a way for all viewpoints to be heard. They are not designed to provide a consensus decision, but instead are used for those who have an idea or opinion to be able to express it.
Principles of Civic Discourse (Courtesy of Institute for Civic Discourse & Democracy)
-Establish ground rules
-Recognize and appreciate cultural differences
-Provide everyone with opportunity to speak
-Focus on issues
-Listen respectfully to difference in perspectives
-Value evidence variety
-Seek common ground
-Avoid personal attacks
-Avoid ideological sloganeering
-Seek understanding, not persuasion
How does my community apply?
Complete the application form and return to the Oklahoma Humanities Council within 40 days of your Forum. You can mail one signed copy to:
Oklahoma Humanities Council
428 W. California Ave, Suite 270
Oklahoma City, OK 73102
Questions? Contact David Pettyjohn, Assistant Director, 405/235-0280, david@okhumanitiescouncil.org