Intergroup Dialogue
Intergroup Dialogue is a constitutive
element of the university’s effort to advance leadership development under the
administrative charge of the UNF Taylor Leadership Institute. As it was initially developed at the
University of Michigan some years ago, Intergroup Dialogue has been applied to
conflicts around topics of race and ethnic nationality, sexual orientation,
religion, and culture. Themes within the Intergroup Dialogue process have historically included social identity development, prejudice and stereotyping and their
effects on groups, the dynamics of difference and power and their impact on the
nature of social oppression and/or the positive advancement of equity,
civility, and justice in the world, and the development of basic group
facilitation skills and their applications in multicultural settings.
While
incorporating all those dimensions in its application at UNF, Intergroup Dialogue goes
a step further as it is designed to advance thoughtful global leaders with the
knowledge needed to take part in and to lead multicultural group interactions
to effectively make a difference and make the world a better place. The most effective leaders possess a level of awareness, skill,
knowledge, and passion to effectively engage others across difference to
attain common purposes.
Intergroup Dialogue is an innovative practice in the classroom
that promotes student engagement across cultural and social divides, fostering
learning about social diversity and inequalities and cultivating an ethos of
social responsibility. This approach to diversity education on college and
university campuses responds to a growing need for educational practices that
prepares students to live, work, and lead in a complex, diverse, and stratified
society (Banks, 2002; Chesler, Lewis, and Crowfoot, 2005; Guarasci and
Cornwell, 1997; Gurin, 1999; hooks, 1994; Hurtado, Milem, Clayton-Pedersen, and
Allen, 1999; Sleeter and McLaren, 1995; Stephan and Stephan, 2001; Schoem,
Frankel, Zúñiga, and Lewis, 1993; Tatum, 1997).
ne of the primary components of Intergroup Dialogue at UNF is a
3-credit course, LDR 3240, a leadership specific course open to all upper division students at
UNF. The course also satisfies an elective requirement for students pursuing the Leadership Minor. LDR 3240 challenges
students to apply social theory frameworks about identity to their own position
within society and the campus community, then extend those understandings to
better conceptualize the world around them and take action to make the world a
better place (Social Change Theory of
Leadership Development). The course deconstructs concepts of individual and
structural power and privilege, using students’ own narratives in conjunction
with course readings and community based activities resulting in powerful and
unique learning. This
course is uniquely structured to foster student-directed learning among
participants.
Beyond its engagement with students in
the classroom, Intergroup Dialogue at
UNF is envisioned to be a larger public dialogue process designed to
involve diverse constituencies across the university community (students,
staff, faculty and administrators) in addressing difficult and controversial
topics that impact the culture and life of the university, and to do so through
the lens of individuals and groups in an exploration of societal issues such as
politics, racism, religion, and culture that are often flashpoints for
polarization and social conflict, yet are harbingers for social change. Thus, IGD
serves as a bridging mechanism across difference in efforts to advocate social justice, transform conflict, and advance social change in institutions and society.
Intergroup
Dialogue programming enjoys years of rigorous research and is modeled after
psychologist’s Dr. Gordon Allport’s social contact theory along with Dr. David
Bohme’s extensive seminal work on what he termed “dialogue”. According to
Boehm, "A key difference between a dialogue and an ordinary discussion is
that, within the latter people usually hold relatively fixed positions and
argue in favor of their views as they try to convince others to change. At best
this may produce agreement or compromise, but it does not give rise to anything
creative." Dialogue, by contrast is
generative and elicits new ideas, creativity and openings to new understanding
and possibility.
Opportunities for Faculty and Staff
The Taylor Leadership Institute seeks faculty, administrators and staff who are interested in possible future service on the Intergroup Dialogue Committee. Activities for Intergroup Dialog Committee members may include co-teaching/co-facilitating dialogue courses; researching the effectiveness/learning outcomes of dialogue courses; organizing co-curricular programming initiatives for students; and organizing dialogue initiatives for faculty/staff.
Service on the Intergroup Dialogue Committee is a rewarding professional and personal development opportunity that enhances the UNF campus climate. This opportunity requires a sustained time commitment and support from your supervisor/department. Placement will be dependent upon current committee needs. To express interest in serving on the Intergroup Dialogue Committee, please email leadership@unf.edu with your name, department/title, and area(s) of interest on the committee (i.e. teaching, research, co-curricular programing, faculty/staff initiatives). You may also nominate a colleague who may be interested in serving on the committee. For more information, please contact Taylor Leadership Institute at (904) 620-5934.