Welcome to Engaging the Divides

We live in a time of toxic division.

Polarization has infected every corner of our society — shaping how we engage in business, religion, politics, and education. Its rapid growth is fracturing the foundations of our states, nations, and world.

From fiery arguments on social media to divisions within the halls of government, college campuses, communities, and even around the dinner table, the consequence of this polarization is impossible to ignore.

But here, amidst this deep turmoil, lies a profound opportunity for renewal and understanding.

The Institute for Advanced Catholic Studies at USC is proud to launch Engaging the Divides, an innovative online forum designed to foster civil, constructive dialogue on some of today’s most urgent issues. This initiative brings together leading researchers, scholars, and practitioners from diverse backgrounds, disciplines, and viewpoints to explore meaningful solutions and seek common ground.

At its core, Engaging the Divides reflects the Catholic tradition’s commitment to thoughtful dialogue and its ongoing relevance in addressing both global and local challenges facing society. Rather than deepen existing divisions, this forum seeks to advance understanding and inspire actionable change.

Our platform will delve into a wide array of contemporary topics, blending intellectual rigor with a commitment to constructive dialogue. Highlights include:

• The Synod on Synodality: A four-part series by renowned sociologist and IACS Affiliated Research Scholar Dr. Tricia C. Bruce. Her first post, “All in the Hall,” offers a rare glimpse into the inner workings of the Vatican and the historic October 2024 Synod gathering.
• The Ethics of Emerging Technology: Exploring how the Catholic intellectual tradition can guide ethical frameworks for digital innovation and the integration of new medical technologies within a deep understanding of the dignity of the human person.
• Faith and Democracy: Examining how Catholicism and other faith traditions can defend democratic values and inform strategic responses to public problems, political dilemmas, and global crises. Over time, this thread will engage issues like:

• • the place of “race” in American society and the global response to immigrants and refugees
  • how to form a new generation of Catholic leaders dedicated to democratic public life
  • how to help families thrive
  • how to build what Catholicism calls a ‘culture of encounter’ that can undergird a deeper kind of democracy
  • global issues of natural disaster, climate change, authoritarian rule, and potential nuclear conflict or cooperation

Counterculturally — or at least counter to this moment in global and American political culture — we hope to engage the divides with a rich mixture of rigor, accessibility, thoughtfulness, and humor. At IACS, we think serious thinking can be fun and can make a difference in our lives and in the world. Join the exchange on Synodality now to see what that’s like…and contribute to it. Your thoughts welcome, especially if thoughtful.

We’re thrilled to welcome you to this journey of dialogue and discovery.

Connect with us, share your insights, and help us shape a future rooted in understanding and respect. Find us on social media (@iacsusc) or email us at iacs@usc.edu to join the conversation.

Together, we can engage our divides and reimagine a more united world.