The purpose of the “Listening Project” is to build connection, foster communication and understanding between members of the campus community, increase (multi)cultural competence, and increase communication skills needed in all career platforms.
Students and faculty across campus have implemented a variety of classroom activities that rely on listening and invite sharing. Whether participants stand in various campus locations with signs that read “Free Listening” (in a pre-pandemic world) or break up in small groups in virtual classrooms, students open their ears – and hearts – to anyone who needs to talk, laugh, cry, scream, or hang out.
Listening Icebreaker
A brief class activity to break the ice on the first day of class. In JRN 3290, Dr. Adina Schneeweis facilitated an exercise that included asking someone you just met (as in a first day of class context) a question that is meaningful to oneself. Students asked about trust, religion, adulthood, role models, and family, and reported having a great experience – digging in with someone you don’t know about something meaningful elevated the connection of the emerging class community right away.
