It hardly merits mention that the United States has reached an alarming level of political polarization and animosity. This course is designed for students of any political persuasion who would like to think through why this might be and to begin, at a personal level, to address some dimensions of the situation. It is not primarily a study of either political science or history, despite containing substantial elements of both, but, rather, a humanistic inquiry into a number of the fundamental tenets underlying all worthwhile college study: freedom of speech and of expression but also empathetic inquiry and good-faith exchange of opinions and ideas. It is designed for students who recognize the benefit of having their convictions questioned and even constructively challenged and feel vaguely dissatisfied when surrounded by peers who think exactly as they do. Readings will range from classic work by John Stuart Mill to recent psychological, sociological, journalistic and political studies by Jonathan Haidt and others. Students will also participate in several of the on-campus fora organized by the We Listen student group based in the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy and will be encouraged over the course of the term to cultivate an extended conversation with a person (relative, friend, acquaintance, or fellow student) holding differing political or religious views from theirs on a topic of their choosing.