GET THE FILM AND FACILITATOR'S GUIDE 

The Jester’s Bridge Facilitator Guide, which pairs with the 15-minute documentary Jesters and Fools, is a collaboration between Heterodox Academy and Gotham Arts. The free Guide can be used by anyone teaching first year students.

Objectives of the Orientation Module

  1. Provide students with multiple options for engaging constructively and courageously across disagreement.

  2. Introduce students to the potential value of using humor in confronting ideas they find upsetting or offensive.

  3. Help students appreciate the university environment of free and open inquiry, including its inherent limitations and responsibilities.

  4. Encourage students to see disagreement as opportunities for courageous engagement, increased understanding of self and others, and opportunities for learning.

  • False Polarization

  • False Consensus Effect

  • The Spiral of Silence

  • Social Identity Theory

  • Tribalism

  • Confirmation bias

Concepts That Can Be Explored

  • Fallacies around assuming animosity from those of differing opinions

  • Free speech on campus

  • Academic freedom

  • Toxic polarization

  • Emotional reasoning

  • Identity malleability and sensitivity

  • Filter bubbles/echo chambers

  • How we overestimate our differences and misperceive how much the other side hates us

  • How to be a confident pluralist

  • The disagreements to expect in college

Partnership with Sway ai

In addition to our facilitators guide, we’ve partnered with Sway AI to bring a cutting-edge layer of interaction to your orientation programming. Following the film and facilitator guide, students participate in guided, one-on-one conversations via Sway that connect them with peers holding different views—encouraging reflection, empathy, and intellectual courage. These exchanges fit naturally into orientation week and can be experienced on mobile, dorms, or lounges. Administrators receive anonymized reports of themes and student reflections, while respecting student privacy. Learn more about Sway AI here.

Find FURTHER Readings and Resources HERE

Want to bring comedians to perform on your campus? Please reach out!