Online courses
OUR COURSES ON POLARISATION:
- a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on polarisation and dialogue on the Futurelearn platform -> JOIN HERE!
- an expanded version of the course tailored for the University of Tartu educational platform -> two rounds of this course have already been completed
- an expanded version of the course for students from the University of Warsaw, available for 4EU+ Alliance students as well -> the 2025/2026 run is currently in progress
Within the courses we created you will:
-> Explore social polarisation and discover ways to prevent and reconcile divisions
From political debates to online communities, social divides are becoming more visible and harder to ignore. Learn to understand how division and polarisation emerges, how it affects the world around us, and how we can deal with polarisation to better bridge divisions.
-> Recognise and understand polarisation
Using real-world and classroom examples and combining expertise from sociology, psychology and political science, you’ll discover how polarisation is not only about split opinions but also about “us vs them” attitudes, lack of trust and broken communication. Through detailed analysis, you’ll examine both cognitive biases and social dynamics, l identifying causes of growing divides between groups.
-> Develop strategies to manage polarisation and reflect on your role
Discover and practise practical ways to prevent and reduce polarisation, including techniques for respectful dialogue, fact-checking and going outside your bubble.
-> Engage and reflect on your role
Through structured reflection and guided exercises, you’ll recognise how your own attitudes, behaviours, and communication styles can either fuel or reduce polarisation in group settings.
You’ll walk away empowered to be part of the solution.
COURSE DESIGN:
Using innovative computational approaches, our aim was to provide engaging, interactive, and accessible learning experiences both for students and a broader audience, focusing on polarisation and dialogue. We wanted the participants to gain skills in identifying polarisation process and understanding its core mechanisms.
Educational materials produced specifically for the online courses include short videos, texts, quizzes and exercises. There are some exercises with simulations too! The courses facilitate knowledge-sharing globally, encouraging participant interaction on polarisation topics. It’s important to emphasize that these are comprehensive courses and much more than a mere collection of materials. Participants are informed of specific learning objectives and goals which are to better understand social polarisation mechanisms and their consequences, and learn strategies to mitigate them. Participants have an opportunity to test their knowledge through quizzes with instant feedback, apply their skills in exercises, and ultimately be able to recognise, understand, and prevent polarisation processes, fostering meaningful dialogue that is crucial for modern democracies.
If you’re interested in the courses, please reach out to us at actiplex@uw.edu.pl or contact team members directly. You can find more information on our team sub-website.