UAB Student Multicultural and Diversity Programs is offering students a seat at the table to explore one of our culture’s most critical topics – race. “Let’s Talk: A Dialogue on Race” is a 10-week course (as part of SMDP’s Intergroup Dialogue program) that will provide students space in a mediated and structured environment to discuss their racial identities, share how they experience the world, and hopefully learn about themselves and each other in the process.
Are you interested in being a part of the discussion? The course allows up to 20 students and the call for applications is open now until September 8, 2017 at 11:59 p.m. Apply at uab.edu/students/diversity/education/intergroup-dialogue. (Accepted applicants must attend all 10 sessions).
The Let’s Talk: A Dialogue on Race course:
- cultivates trust, respect and authentic conversation,
- teaches the core tenants of intentional dialogue,
- is managed by two trained facilitators,
- and features topics that are chosen by the participants.
“For many, race is an important aspect of one’s identity; but in conversations such as these, emotions often rise, debates ensue and there can be a fast end to positive conversation,” said SMDP Senior Coordinator Cortney Johnson. “This course provides a space to bridge those differences, share personal stories, and most importantly discover important aspects about yourself. It’s our ultimate goal that participants will take these lessons and pay it forward by helping others and making UAB’s campus a better place.”
Week 1-5 of the course is structured to teach participants about what dialogue is, personal and social group identity, systems of power, and the history of racism. The following five weeks are dialogues on current events or hot button issues that relate to race. The group will end the semester with a culminating action, a special step toward educating the campus about a particular issue related to race.
Potential topics to be covered throughout the course include interracial relationships, cultural appropriation, microaggressions, immigration and more. For more information and the full schedule of course dates, visit uab.edu/students/diversity/education/intergroup-dialogue.