Growing Apart: What Is Polarisation and What Can We Do About It?

The objective of this course is to equip participants with a comprehensive understanding of polarisation as a complex social and political phenomenon. Through an exploration of its definitions, causes, and consequences, the course aims to deepen awareness of why polarisation matters for individuals, communities, and democratic societies. Participants will learn to recognise the signs of polarisation in various contexts, understand how it can be measured, and critically examine the mechanisms that contribute to its emergence and escalation. The course will also provide insights into pathways for reconciliation.

Everyone interested in the topic of social polarisation, especially master degree and bachelor students at the University of Tartu and Enlight consortium. The course is also open to external participants and the general public.

-Basic level of academic English; -Basic computer skills: ability to write and submit assignments via Moodle.

By the end of the course, the learner is able to:
- identify signs of polarisation;
- describe the process of polarisation;
- reflect on the consequences of polarisation (for democratic processes);
- list major cognitive and social mechanisms leading to polarisation;
- propose measures to deal with polarisation, both related to prevention and reconciliation.

Alar Kilp
Stefano Braghiroli
Anna Beitane
Anastasiia Turusinova
Tom Spits
Shaoni Wang
Katarzyna Abramczuk
Agata Komendant-Brodowska

Topic	Credit	Lectors
1. Module 1. What is polarisation? - How do we differ? - Defining polarisation - Recognising and measuring polarisation - Polarisation and democracy	12	Stefano Braghiroli, Katarzyna Abramczuk, Agata Komendant-Brodowska
2. Module 2. How do we deal with new information and opinions? - Rejecting information that is too far away - We tend to believe what we tend to believe - Living in a bubble - How can we approach information differently	12	Shaoni Wang, Agata Komendant-Brodowska
3. Module 3. How do we approach other people? - Us versus them - Lines of division - Good, bad and ugly dialogues - What can I do?	12	Alar Kilp, Stefano Braghiroli, Shaoni Wang, Agata Komendant-Brodowska
4. Module 4. From Ian and Mel to Us - Polarization in the figures - How polarization works in practice - Practical consequences of polarization - Reconciliation in practice	12	Stefano Braghiroli, Katarzyna Abramczuk, Agata Komendant-Brodowska
5. Final exam	4	Stefano Braghiroli

Political sciences and civics

SVJS.TK.086

To pass the course students should attempt each assignment and receive in each of them at least the minimum amount of points. In order to pass the course the final computation of points should not be lower than 62 points.

non-differentiated (pass, fail, not present)

The course consists of 100 points. In order to pass the course students need to complete all compulsory tasks and receive in each of them at least the minimum amount of points, which should not be lower than 62 points in total.

The final assessment of the course consists of the following elements:
- four multiple-choice quizzes - 2x15 =max 60 points (min 40)
- contribution to the four forums = “sufficient”
- final test (multiple-choice) = max 40 points (min 22)

Total: 100 points

Short multiple-choice quizzes - are organized during Modules 1-4, and are aimed at testing basic knowledge and understanding of learning material. Each quiz consists of 15 questions, giving 1 point per each correct answer. The quiz can be taken twice with no penalty. The submission with the maximum score is used as the effective score for that quiz. The following assignment gives 60 points in total towards the final grade. Students must score at least 10 points on each quiz to pass this assignment. Attempting these assignments is compulsory. Written contribution to forum discussion - contribution to the course forum will be facilitated during Module 1-4. Participants of the course will be required to respond to the forum prompts after each module, which would be proposed by the course moderators. Each prompt will correspond to the issue addressed in the module and related to learning outcomes of the course. Forum contribution is a prerequisite (“sufficient/insufficient”) to qualify for the final assignment; it does not give points. In order for the task to be considered achieved, the content of the forum post should demonstrate the ability to connect concepts discussed in the video lectures with material and readings provided in the course and to directly address the questions posed in the forum by clearly summarising ideas and meaningful arguments. The forum post will not be considered, if a response is unrelated to the questions posed or if it does not meet the criteria described above. Final exam - the final exam will evaluate students' general understanding of the key terms and concepts discussed during the course. Attempting this assignment is compulsory. The exam consists of 20 multiple-choice questions, which give 2 points per each correct answer. The exam can be taken only once. The following assignment gives 40 points in total towards the final grade. Students must score at least 22 points to pass this assignment.