In these polarized times, what does it mean to disagree well? This mini-course of four sessions is a workshop to equip you with skills of empathic intelligence. If you’ve ever avoided a hot-button topic because you were afraid of conflict — or if you’ve alienated people because you’ve expressed unpopular opinions — this course will walk through practical ways to disagree better. 

We’ll meet over a catered lunch every week, because disagreement is always better over a shared meal. Each session will include a lecture and then roundtable discussion with other members of the MIT community. The course draws on a curriculum developed by thinkers at the Ideos Institute, experts in empathic intelligence and producers of the documentary film “Dialogue Lab: America.”