Common Ground Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UNC System Common Ground Collaborative?

Common Ground is a faculty-led, Systemwide teaching collaborative that supports faculty in helping students strengthen communication, reasoning, critical thinking, and the ability to engage constructively with complex ideas and differing perspectives.

The collaborative includes funded course development, faculty professional development and collaboration, student assessment, research, and partnerships that provide additional teaching and engagement resources.

Who participates in Common Ground?

More than 100 faculty representing all 17 UNC System institutions are currently developing new courses or enhancing existing ones through Common Ground. Other opportunities and resources are available to all faculty more broadly, including the Perspectives Blended Learning Program.

Is faculty participation required?

No. Participation is voluntary. The collaborative is intended as an opportunity for faculty who are interested in strengthening dialogue-based pedagogies and contributing to a cross-institutional community of practice.

Does Common Ground require faculty to present “both sides” of every issue?

No. Faculty retain full discretion to determine appropriate content consistent with disciplinary standards and academic freedom. The collaborative supports skill development in argumentation and dialogue; it does not prescribe ideological balance or mandate particular viewpoints.

Does Common Ground prescribe specific course content?

No. The collaborative supports faculty and students in applying dialogue and debate methods consistent with disciplinary standards, professional judgment, and academic freedom protections.

How is peer review conducted?

Peer review within this collaborative is developmental and scholarly in nature. It is designed to strengthen course design, promote cross-campus learning, and elevate best practices. It is not evaluative in a personnel or compliance sense. Peer review submissions will be informed by a rubric and be narrative in nature.

Will student surveys measure political or ideological beliefs?

No. The IRB-approved surveys focus on communication skills, students’ confidence engaging in structured academic disagreement, and growth in evidence-based reasoning. Results will be aggregated and may support scholarship of teaching and learning research.

Why are course proposals routed through provosts’ offices?

Consistent with UNC System culture and institutional governance practices, curriculum-related initiatives are coordinated at the campus level. Routing proposals through chief academic officers ensures alignment with local academic processes and preserves institutional autonomy.

What is the Perspectives Blended Learning Program?

Perspectives is provided by the Constructive Dialogue Institute and offers resources and materials related to dialogue and discourse in academic settings. All UNC System faculty have access, and Common Ground is also providing access to 500 students at seven participating institutions.

Why partner with the Constructive Dialogue Institute?

The Constructive Dialogue Institute provides research-based professional development resources focused on civil discourse and communication skills. Participation in CDI workshops is optional and supported through dedicated funding. Please coordinate interest in this workshop through provosts’ offices.

What is ICDC-NC?

ICDC-NC is the UNC System branch of a national initiative studying an approach that integrates critical thinking and civil discourse. Faculty fellows across all 17 UNC System campuses are teaching ICDC-supported courses in 2026 and 2027.

Will the UNC System partner with other organizations doing the same type of work?

The goal of the Common Ground Collaborative is not to select a single approach to dialogue and discourse, but rather to support genuine interest among students, faculty, and staff at each of the unique UNC System campuses. To that end, the collaborative is open to a variety of partnerships. Braver Angels, BridgeUSA, and other organizations are already working with faculty and students at several institutions.