Class Meets:
Tuesdays: 30-Apr, 7-May, 14-May
Thursdays: 2-May, 9-May, 16-May

This course continues the exploration of what civility is by looking into incivility, following Part 1, offered earlier this term. Starting as children in families and then, later, as members of other types of groups, humans are both individual and group creatures. People’s civil nature is both innate and also shaped through rearing, experience, and culture. Incivility is the shadow or dark side of civility. A feature of civility (e.g., the ability to follow or be inspired by a leader, to acquiesce in a face-off, or to sacrifice in a group effort) can be employed for ill purposes as well as good. If incivility is explored, understood, and anticipated, individuals and groups can handle it better.
Topics include:
• The corrosive effects of violence or its threat
• Alpha dogs, bulldogs, dogs-in-mangers, and other cynics
• Swindlers, charlatans, mountebanks, con-men and other shameless pitchmen
• The malevolent mathematics of winning by dividing
• The trappings of authority: wolves in leaders’ clothing
• What is the defense against offense? Affront, sensitivity and the regulation of anxiety.

The course structure and process of Part 2 are the same as Part 1 and develop upon its themes. Participation in Part 1 is highly recommended, but not required; however, the Part 1 packet is required reading. The course is for active learners at an intermediate to advanced level (see Part 1 description for details). Required readings of one to three hours weekly.