Radio journalist Julie Rose taught the class "Becoming Better Citizens and Kinder Neighbors in a Divided World" during BYU's Education Week.
"In the time that I've been a journalist I have learned the power of curiosity and asking the right kinds of questions in order to bridge ideological divides," Rose said.
Instead of encouraging debate skills in the midst of ideological differences, Rose referenced teachings from leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. For example, Rose shared clips from President M. Russell Ballard's talk titled, "Doctrine of Inclusion," to champion peace-making in the face of seemingly non-negotiable morals.
Throughout Rose's lecture, attendees learned about the importance of hearing from different perspectives and positively engaging in such conversations.
Education Week attendee Chris Dellenbach compared the process of exploring others' perspectives to slowing down or speeding up in a car, so as to see those in our blind spots.
"If we take some time, we'll be able to see what we didn't before," she said.
Similarly, Education Week attendee Linda Richards said engaging in such experiences allows you to see the humanity in others.
"It just creates better relationships and understanding," she said.
The positive reaction to approaching conflict with curiosity was exactly what Rose was hoping for.
"The thing that was clear to me from this audience was they, too, are hungry to understand," Rose said. "Everyone has someone in their life who they want to better understand, with whom they disagree, and it causes real pain and sadness to feel as if we can't engage."