American Press and Politics: The Metamorphosis Conference

Posted: 03.17.06

Read about the Metamorphosis Conference at the Seattle Times...

During winter quarter, 2006, professor Taso Lagos presented the Metamorphosis Conference as part of his American Press and Politics class. The purpose of the conference was to give students the opportunity to debate critical issues in today's mediated political environment, allowing them to understand a dynamic yet important social process, and how all citizens today are affected by it. Alumnus Harold Carr ('55) and Ryan Blethen from The Seattle Times joined the conference.

Professor Lagos as this to say about the experience:

This was the third time I did the Metamorphosis Conference in which I ask students at the last day of lecture to debate amongst themselves the important topics we discussed all quarter. This is their chance to lead the class. Each time I've been surprised. What I didn't expect was to be moved!

Throughout the quarter that class seemed indifferent and sullen. Few spoke up. Even my dumb jokes about my Greek village didn't seem to work. I was worried. Nothing like renting the Walker-Ames room, inviting alumni, Jerry Baldasty and folks from the Seattle Times to witness dead silence. Even the day of the Conference Anna Fahey, the Teaching Assistant, seemed skeptical.

What next happened can't be trusted to mere words. We set up the room to resemble the House of Parliament during "Prime Minister Questions," when the PM faces the members of parliament in ritualized grilling. Students got the topics beforehand; there was both group discussion and individual debating.

As I watched them, I could see the sincerity and earnestness in their voices. Democracy dead? Not here, not today. They were articulate, passionate, skillful. And they spoke to the heart of democracy. I sat back, entranced. I trusted that they would speak and they did - eloquently, thoughtfully, confidently. And they repaid their trust. I was moved to tears.

Their message: We live in a divide polity and we stopped listening to each other. It's a shrill not a debate. And it's time we stopped the yelling and listened.

I lowered my head. Democracy had spoken. Given students the power, and this is what they can do.

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Read about the Metamorphosis Conference at the Seattle Times...