Mount Holyoke is excited to host this year’s Common Read author Mónica Guzmán on Tuesday, November 19. Guzmán wrote “I Never Thought of It That Way,” as a personal guide to having fearlessly curious conversations in what many consider dangerously divided times.

As part of Guzmán’s visit, faculty and staff are invited to join Mónica for an interactive Reclaiming Curiosity workshop from 1:30pm to 3pm, aimed at building a more curious world by learning to harness curiosity, practice candor, lean into the journey of conversation, and show courage – RSVP required as space is limited.

Participants will practice:

• detecting the assumptions that can block meaningful inquiry
• using the gaps in their knowledge to fuel understanding
• asking three uniquely constructive types of questions when discussing political or controversial issues
• formulating questions that clarify another person's perspective while avoiding the pitfalls that divide us.

Participants will also have opportunities to ask their own questions about how best to apply these practices, including in situations where other people do not "seem curious," when people are divided on what's true, etc. The workshop is organic and will shift as needed for the participants!