Our society is filled with diverse viewpoints and worldviews. Yet, all too often, we are only exposed to our own. Without productive strategies for understanding one another, disagreements can divide well-intentioned people and misinform our opinions. This course dives into recent research in human psychology, particularly a construct known as intellectual humility, to find clues about how to improve our own reasoning and relationships. We will survey the literature on intellectual humility to understand how it relates to political ideology, moral reasoning, religion, empathy, emotional regulation, and more.

Seminars will be largely discussion-based, in addition to mini-lectures, multimedia clips, and other in-class activities. Readings will focus on short excerpts from research papers in psychology. Weekly assignments may include journal entries, creative tasks, and reflections.

Course Requirements:

Attend class weekly, complete brief assignments, and participate in our online and in-class discussions.

Intended Audience:

Honors students in their first year at the University of Michigan