Civic Knowledge Project: Winning Words

le and high schools in Chicago's South Side to cover a curriculum which features an introduction to philosophy and Socratic dialogue and includes writing, public speaking, debate, drama, poetry and art. The material uses the Socratic method to engage students and to encourage the use of critical thinking, reasoning and expression. Such modes of thought and communication foster the sense of wonder that is at the root of serious introspection, intellectual growth, and ethical reflection. Class begins with a portrait of Socrates attained through readings of Platonic dialogues. From reading and discussing these sources, students learn the ancient rudiments of the examined or philosophical life. The curriculum keeps ever in the students’ minds, though, the ideas put forth by the famous American philosopher and founding figure at the University of Chicago, John Dewey— That learning is best done by way of doing and that schoolhouse and society are both best served when they are not isolated from one another. And Winning Words also creatively embraces other philosophies of ongoing relevance, such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s philosophy of nonviolence. Through Winning Words, younger students in local public schools are given the opportunity to learn from successful, enthusiastic, and civic-minded students at the University of Chicago. Students make occasional trips to campus to hold class, and, about once per quarter, to present their thoughts in the public forum. Please join us for our big Winning Words Initiative conference, on Nov. 2nd, 2013. RSVP at https://universityevents.wufoo.com/forms/winning-words-initiative/

Bart Schultz, Director of the Civic Knowledge Project ([email protected])

Shayan Karbassi, Student Coordinator
([email protected])