Carnegie Mellon University

Prior Deeper Conversations Programming

Academic Year 2023-2024 Focus: The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict and Combating Hate in Society

Misinformation in Times of Conflict

On April 1, Zeve Sanderson, executive director of New York University's Center for Social Media and Politics, led a discussion and Q&A session on the role of social media in the Israel-Hamas war. Participants explored which sources of information have been reliable and how misinformation has impacted the conflict.

Watch Misinformation in Times of Conflict

Organized by the Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences and Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy.

Competing Narratives: Small Group Book Discussions

In March, several groups of students, faculty and staff met to discuss Neil Caplan’s book “The Israel-Palestine Conflict: Contested Histories” (Second Edition)

Organized by the Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences and Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy.

Addressing Campus Islamophobia: Proactive Efforts to Address Hate and Bias, a Workshop with Amer F. Ahmed

On February 19, 2023, Amer F. Ahmed, vice provost for diversity, equity and inclusion and senior diversity officer at the University of Vermont, delivered a keynote benefiting participants interested in learning more about Islam, Islamophobia and anti-Arab notions, providing needed context to bridge divides.

Organized by the Office of the Vice Provost for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer.

Islamophobia: Dispelling Myths to Break Down Barriers with Keynote Speaker Amer F. Ahmed

This program held on February 19, 2023, benefited participants interested in learning more about Islam and Islamophobia, providing needed context to bridge divide.

Watch Islamophobia: Dispelling Myths to Break Down Barriers

Organized by the Office of the Vice Provost for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer.

Mapping the History of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

On February 15, 2024, Laurie Z. Eisenberg, teaching professor emerita in CMU's Department of History, provided an overview of the history of the movement of borders and populations in the region that is now Israel and Palestine from the 1880s until the present day. Using maps, she addressed issues leading up to the current Israel-Hamas war.

Organized by the Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences and Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy.

Antiracism in Action Workshop

On February 13, 2024, Dr. Wanda Heading-Grant, vice provost for diversity, equity and inclusion and chief diversity officer, and Mark D’Angelo, diversity, equity and inclusion learning and development trainer and consultant, held an interactive workshop exploring what it means to be antiracist. They focused on concepts, skills and strategies to help translate antiracist beliefs and sentiments into action-oriented antiracist allyship within spheres of influence.

Organized by the Office of the Vice Provost for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer.

The Possibility of Peace

On January 31, 2024 — moderated by Nevine Abraham, assistant teaching professor of Arabic Studies in the Department of Modern Languages, and Michal FriedmanJack Buncher Professor of Jewish Studies in the Department of History — Rula Hardal and May Pundak shared their experiences as Palestinian and Jewish members of A Land for All, an organization advocating for peaceful resolution in the region.

Watch The Possibility of Peace

Organized by the Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences and Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy.

Understanding Antisemitism and its Impact on Jews

On January 30 and 31, 2024, Noah Schoen, Community Outreach Associate, Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh, discussed the historical roots of antisemitism, the connection those roots have to its modern day manifestations, and the collective impact that generations of antisemitism has had on the Jewish community.

Organized by the Office of the Vice Provost for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer.

Educating & Empowering Communities Against Antisemitism

This event featured a thought-provoking and compelling presentation by Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker, who shared reflections on his experience as a survivor of the synagogue hostage crisis at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas in January 2022. Honoring the lives lost due to hatred, Rabbi Cytron-Walker provided insights on combating antisemitism through education and empowerment. We explored actionable strategies for creating a more inclusive and unified society and discovered how we can take on the collective responsibility of eradicating hate and prejudice, paving the way for a brighter and more harmonious future for all.

Watch Educating & Empowering Communities Against Antisemitism 

Organized by the Office of the Vice Provost for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer.

2024-2025 Academic Coursework

CMU's 2024-2025 Course Catalog offers a range of academic offerings focused on promoting productive discourse and addressing bias and hate. Other content explores key issues related to the Israel-Hamas War. 

Additionally, plans are in the works for a 5-6 week university-wide mini-course featuring CMU experts and experts from partner organizations who will discuss the history of the U.S. role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We hope to make the course available via Zoom to all members of the CMU community to audit or take for credit. 

More details will be announced soon.

 

  • 84367 The Politics of Antisemitism
  • 84304 In the News: Analysis of Current National Security Priorities 
  • 84226 International Relations 
  • 84323 War and Peace in the Contemporary Middle East 
  • 84365 The Politics of Fake News and Misinformation 
  • 84389 Terrorism and Insurgency 
  • 84325 Contemporary American Foreign Policy
  • 88234 Negotiation: International Focus
  • 79145 Genocide and Weapons of Mass Destruction 
  • 79302 Killer Robots? The Ethics, Law, and Politics of Drones and A.I. in War 
  • 79224 The Making of the Modern Middle East 
  • 79355 Fake News: "Truth" in the History of American Journalism 
  • 79230 The Arab-Israeli Conflict and Peace Process Through 1948 to Present