Using NVC to Enable Institutional System Changes that Support Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

ONLINE SKILLS TRAINING

COURSE ABSTRACT

In an age of virulent civic discourse, avoiding conversations about dominance, systems, power, race, gender, or sexual orientation is no longer an option. When emotions surface and stakes are high, this course will equip participants with the tools to respond to structural inequities around pwer and access, in away that draws people into a conversation using Non-Violent Communication (NVC). NVC is a set of ideas and practices based on the empathic and relational nature of human beings that can be integrated into a way of being in the world. 

This course is rooted in the trainings of Roxi Manning on social change through empathy.

COURSE OBJECTIVE AND STRUCTURE

This skills course aims to cover the fundamental notion of needs-awareness, the key insights that come from it and apply these principles to affecting structural changes. Participants will discuss power differences, privilege and structural oppression. Participants will be equipped with the tools and techniques to have conversations with people with vastly different belief systems so that everyone feels fully heard, valued for their contribution, and acknowledged for their unique experiences, yet pushing forward to establish more equitable systems.

Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Express oneself free from judgment or blame
• Call people into dialogue as opposed to calling them out
• Learning to approach difficult conversations non-coercively
• Understand one’s own unearned advantages and help make systems more equitable
• Shift from fragility and defensiveness to hearing and understanding impacts

METHODOLOGY

The course is a highly interactive skills course that draws on student’s experiences and combines theory with role-plays and exercises. Students will discuss their own identities and worldviews, and explore ways of talking across biasses, slights, and stereotypes. Participants will work through exercises as a group and as individuals. Weekly homework may range from 1 to 3 hours of work outside the classroom.

PARTICIPANTS

This course is tailored for those seeking to address systemic racism using skills that center our interdependence. All classes are intentionally kept small (16 students max.) and individualized support is available upon request during the semester. Fluency in spoken and written English is required.

READING MATERIAL

The following is a useful resource to read in preparation for the course, however it is not mandatory reading for the class.

• Marshall B. Rosenberg. “Nonviolent Communication: a language of life” (3rd edition), September 2015

COURSE LOGISTICS AND CERTIFICATION

Date: Thursdays, February 11th to April 1st, 2021, (16 hours, 8-week course)

Time: 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm (ET, time in New York)

Cost (processing fees are not included): registration due by February 4th, 2021

• Early bird registration (25% until January 8th, 2021): $360 (USD)
• Registration: $480 (USD)
• Partial scholarships are available upon request for those in need 

Platform: the course will be taught using Zoom. A link with log-in information will be sent to you a week prior to the start of the first class. Internet connection, audio and video access are required. The ability to stream videos is also needed.

Attendance: attendance to all classes is mandatory. No exceptions will be made for failing to attend a class and no make-up classes will be offered (see polices for exemptions). Participants can miss a maximum of 2 hours and still receive a certificate of completion.

Participation: the course is highly interactive with most of the learning built into discussions, exercises and role-plays. It is important that each student participate fully in all planned activities.

Certificate: participants must complete all course requirements to receive a certificate of completion for the course.

COURSE OUTLINE

Section 1

• Connecting feeling with needs
• Identifying different levels of observation
• Recognizing microaggressions
• Understanding rank and hierarchies
• Responding to impact

Section 2

• Organizational systems supporting diversity, equity and inclusion
• Leadership in the face of repression
• Dominant v. liberation logic
• Structural changes