Authoritarianism. Fascism. White supremacy. Anti-gender movements. Nativism. Or maybe more broadly: the far right. Whatever you’ve heard it called, right-wing political movements pose an urgent threat to democracy and civil rights. This course offers a clear, accessible introduction to the contemporary far right in the United States, helping participants understand the moment of growing authoritarianism we are currently living in.

This six-week course is organized around five contemporary case studies: Anti-Trans Movements, Anti-Immigrant Movements, “Culture Wars” Politics in Education, Disinformation and Media Ecosystems, and Abortion Access and Reproductive Politics.

Ever heard any of the following and just froze up? 

• “I’m not racist…BUT I don’t understand why everything is about race these days. I don’t see color.” 

• “I’m fine with gay people, honestly. But I don’t get why they have to shove it in everyone’s faces all the time. Why isn’t there a Straight Pride month?”

• “My grandparents came here the right way. They followed the rules. Why do people who break the law get special treatment? What gives them the right to cut in line?” 

• “There are two genders. That’s basic biology. I’m not trying to be mean—I’m just saying, facts are facts.”

And you knew the other person was wrong, but you couldn’t figure out how to respond? 

This course will change that. Taught by an educational influencer and a former debate and public speaking coach, this class will introduce you to the fundamentals of political communication. We’ll teach you how to clearly articulate what you believe and why you believe it—without spiraling or second guessing yourself. We’ll also demystify political debates by breaking down the most common right-wing talking points and showing how they’re deployed across different issue areas. And, most critically, we’ll show you how to respond with clear, evidence based information that cuts through misleading “common sense.” 

We’ll teach this course according to two key premises. 

• First: There is a defined range of right-wing political arguments. Conservative talking points rely on a small set of logics that repeat across issues: personal responsibility, child protection, scarcity, moral deservingness, and distrust of institutions. Once you start to recognize these patterns, you no longer have to improvise under stress. And, critically, recognizing these logics makes it easier to respond with clear, evidence-based explanations that cut through violence that masquerades as “common sense.”

• Second: this isn’t debate club. Rather than stay focused on winning arguments, we’ll also teach you when to protect your energy and how to deescalate charged conversations. Progressive organizing spaces often encourage conversations with your communities about contemporary issues. However, there is little guidance about how to have those conversations and—critically—who it is worth having those conversations with. Your drunk uncle who gets off on triggering the libs, for instance? We can deescalate that and save Thanksgiving. Your daughter’s kindergarten teacher who is wavering on including books about racial injustice in her classroom’s library because she’s worried about political pushback? That’s your time to shine. 

During classes, we’ll simulate mock debates (if you want, you’ll have the chance to pretend to be someone’s drunk uncle), review common right-wing arguments, practice our responses, and discuss how one’s audience changes how persuasion operates. Each week, we’ll also provide you with a fact sheet with helpful arguments, statistics, and studies. You’ll leave with both communication skills and a political toolkit.

By the end of the class, you’ll create a small communication project—whether it be an op-ed for a local outlet, a script for a conversation, or an email to a school or local institution—that is ready to be used in the real world.

• For example, homelessness is framed as inevitable—as individual failure or economic constraint. In reality, housing people costs far less than managing homelessness through policing and emergency care. What sounds like fiscal realism is often ideological opposition to housing at all. Learning to identity moves like that–and name them clearly and calmly when they show up–is a core part of this class. 

This intimate virtual seminar invites a small cohort of participants to engage deeply with the work of various women writers, exploring power, intimacy, history, and belonging. Together, we’ll read across genres, cultures, and time periods to examine how women have written against their own erasure, using language to name what has been historically silenced.

This is a trans-inclusive seminar, in which the very definition of “woman” will be contested, interrogated, and reimagined throughout our discussions.

Guided by two PhD-level instructors, Dr. Mary Byrne and Dr. Peyton Del Toro, participants will move slowly and thoughtfully through selected texts in an intimate, discussion-based setting. Together, we will practice close reading, collective meaning-making, and the pleasure of thinking alongside others who are hungry for depth and nuance.

Virtual Seminars
Once enrollment is completed, we will work with seminar participants to find a time that works for the group. Courses are 1.5 hours, once a week, for a total of six weeks. Instructors are also available outside of course times for longer discussions or additional reading recommendations.

Enrollment is limited to maintain the intimacy and rigor of discussion.

Our one-on-one learning experiences are fully tailored to your intellectual curiosity and goals. In private sessions, you engage deeply with ideas, texts, and questions that matter most to you, guided by a mentor who helps you think critically, reflect ethically, and connect concepts across disciplines. These sessions are flexible, immersive, and designed to cultivate insight, clarity, and a meaningful, personal engagement with knowledge.

To begin, participants pay a small deposit, which covers a 30-minute consultation with a professor. During this call, we’ll discuss your interests, explore your learning goals, and design a personalized plan for your study sessions.

The Delvion Institute also offers custom-designed syllabi tailored to your interests, questions, and goals. If you’re curious about a topic or want a more personal learning experience, we’re happy to design something just for you.

After we receive your intake form, we will be in touch to discuss a plan designed around your goals. This ensures your place is held while we create a curated syllabus tailored just for you.

Please note, this offering does not include any further guidance beyond the design of your syllabus.