Understanding and Addressing Extremism Teach-Out

When someone becomes radicalized and drifts toward more extremist ideologies, it not only affects that person, but also their family, friends, wider social circle and society. In the wake of the insurrection in the U.S. Capitol on January 6th, conversations about extremism and what to do about it are on the rise. Many are concerned that extremist views are becoming more mainstream and are looking for resources to better understand and address this growing issue.

This Teach-Out will provide a historical view of extremism, both international and domestic, and will discuss current issues related to online radicalism, political polarization, conspiracy theories, and recent examples of extremism. The Teach-Out will also offer learners ways in which they can take action in their own lives, counter extremism in their own communities and strategies for addressing extremist views with friends and family.

In this Teach-Out, we will address the following questions:
What is “extremism”? Who is an “extremist”?
How has U.S. policy around terrorism and extremism evolved over the past couple of decades?
How does social media and disinformation impact how extremist ideologies spread?
What role does the media play in all of this?
How do we talk to our friends, family, and colleagues about this topic?
What can be done to raise awareness about this issue and address it in our own communities?