Imagine being lowered in a basket from the walls of Damascus to meet a conqueror whose brutal power shaped history—but who paused to debate what makes societies thrive or collapse. That’s how our exploration of free speech begins—with a story that proves the power of ideas can challenge even the mightiest rulers. Today, we face our own pivotal moment in the fight to protect and understand open discourse.


Speak Freely, Think Critically: The Free Speech Balance Act



顶尖授课教师
3,481 人已注册
包含在 中
您将学到什么
Understand the neuroscience behind why free speech feels challenging and how our brains process opposing viewpoints.
Develop practical techniques for engaging in productive dialogue across differences, especially on emotionally charged topics.
Recognize modern threats to free expression and explore innovative approaches to preserving meaningful discourse in the digital age.
您将获得的技能
要了解的详细信息

添加到您的领英档案
July 2025
6 项作业
了解顶级公司的员工如何掌握热门技能

该课程共有3个模块
Great ideas only matter if people can share them. This module dives into the drama of how ideas spread or get squashed - from a basket lowered down Damascus' walls to Putin's crackdown on satire. You'll discover the clever ways narcissistic leaders suppress questioning while claiming to welcome it, see how your brain processes challenges to your beliefs, and explore why social media can make us both smarter and dumber at the same time. Through stories that bring neuroscience to life, you'll learn why open dialogue drives innovation and problem-solving, while its absence leads to stagnation. Whether you lead a team, want to spot manipulation tactics, or just care about keeping good ideas alive, this module reveals the hidden forces shaping our conversations and gives you practical tools for our digital age.
涵盖的内容
10个视频1篇阅读材料2个作业
Why do some ideas make us bristle before we even hear them out? In this module, we dive into the fascinating science of how your brain handles challenging ideas. You'll discover why your automatic reactions can sometimes hijack rational thinking, how experiences shape the neural pathways that guide your responses, and what this all means for having better conversations across differences. From ancient Damascus to modern neuroscience labs, we explore how understanding your brain's inner workings can help you master difficult discussions. Plus, you'll get hands-on practice with "Sway" - an innovative AI tool for strengthening your dialogue muscles. Perfect for anyone who's ever wondered why smart people can disagree so strongly, or who wants to have more productive conversations about tough topics. No neuroscience background required - just bring your curiosity about how minds (including your own) really work!
涵盖的内容
7个视频1篇阅读材料2个作业1个讨论话题
Want to be part of keeping meaningful dialogue alive in our digital age? This final module brings together everything we've learned about brains, bias, and human behavior to tackle today's toughest free speech challenges. You'll see how real innovators are turning age-old problems into new solutions - like using disagreement itself to make online discussions better. Through concrete examples and cutting-edge tools, you'll discover what works (and what doesn't) in fostering open dialogue, both online and off. Plus, you'll get hands-on practice with approaches you can use right away. Whether you lead a team, engage in public debates, or just want better discussions with friends and family, this module gives you practical ways to help build a world where different voices don't just survive - they help us all think better.
涵盖的内容
11个视频1篇阅读材料2个作业
从 Education 浏览更多内容
- 状态:免费试用
University of Washington
- 状态:免费试用
University of Michigan
- 状态:预览
University of California San Diego
人们为什么选择 Coursera 来帮助自己实现职业发展




学生评论
10 条评论
- 5 stars
90%
- 4 stars
10%
- 3 stars
0%
- 2 stars
0%
- 1 star
0%
显示 3/10 个
已于 Oct 3, 2025审阅
An excellent course. It was well presented, user friendly. It has certainly given me some positive applications of listening to others' viewpoints without jumping to the negative. Thank you
常见问题
To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.