Human Rights through Active Democracy and Rhetorical Citizenship

Democracy can be seen as a central part of human rights and good communication is a central part of democracy. The ability to both express one’s own views and to listen to others’ is foundational. Through a series of lectures and exercises, this intensive short course both highlights and fosters the importance of respectful, authentic, and efficient communication. Within the framework the Copenhagen School’s concept of Rhetorical citizenship, public debate is not viewed as an idealised Habermasian or Pragma-Dialectical exercise, but within an empirical rhetorical framework where disagreements contribute to the health and function of democracy. Special focus is put on how marginalized groups can be heard. During four three-hour sessions, the participants engage within an Isocratean civic framework, focusing on the need for authentic kairotic societal engagement. The four exercises are refutation and confirmation, focused listening, ethopoeia (the ability to prepare and deliver a speech from a radical different perspective), and a moderated panel debate. The process of conveying constructive peer comments will be highlighted throughout.