Intergroup Dialogue is a three credit course that brings together small groups of students from diverse backgrounds to share their experiences and gain knowledge from one another.
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Intergroup Dialogue
Intergroup Dialogue (IGD) Defined
Intergroup dialogue (IGD) is a small group intervention that brings together individuals from two or more social identity groups with a history of tension or conflict (e.g., People of Color and White people; LGBT people and heterosexual people; Christians, religious minorities, and secular individuals; women and men). The goals of IGD include: (1) creating sustained, face-to-face communication across groups; (2) raising social consciousness (e.g., about social inequalities, one’s role in perpetuating these inequalities, and the personal impacts of these inequalities on oneself and others); and (3) building bridges across group differences and a commitment to work toward social justice together. IGD has been implemented at colleges and universities across the country to engage students and faculty in dialogue about the most pressing and difficult social divisions in our society.
Watch this video to see how IGD makes a difference in our campus community.
How is IGD Different Than Other Diversity Programs?
IGD represents a sustained conversation over a period of several weeks to have individuals more deeply and consistently engage with a topic that typically creates tension and conflict. Students meet in small groups for a period of 8 weeks to discuss one social issue (e.g., racism). The dialogue is facilitated by two individuals trained in IGD. The students and facilitators must equally represent the different identities associated with the dialogue topic (e.g., People of Color, White people). This model has been shown to increase individuals’ empathic understanding of different perspectives, as well as to raise self-awareness and cultural competence.
IGD has been embeded in courses since Fall 2016. Some of these courses include: PSYC 470: Multicultural Psychology, EDUC 203: Teaching and Learning in a Diverse Society, TSEM: Diversity Dialogue for Social Justice, TSEM: Religion, Race, and Gender. Are you interested in having dialogue as part of your course? Contact us dialogue AT_TOWSON
It challenges you to think outside the box and explore your own beliefs and personal attitudes.”
IGD TRAINING
All faculty and staff are welcome. Join Assistant Provost for Diversity & Inclusion, Dr. Shaunna Payne Gold for these sessions which will provide:
- Greater understanding of how intergroup dialogues can foster awareness and interaction between members of two or more different groups;
- Strategies for managing difficult conversations including race, social identity, and other divisive topics; and
- Tools to facilitate these face-to-face dialogues with students in college courses or with colleagues sharing office environments.
Level 1 Training | theory
This half-day training will be a facilitated, interactive session concerning the goals
of IGD, the most recent research concerning the process and benefits, the nuances
of dialogue, discussion, and debate, as well as intensive training concerning the
co-facilitation process.
Level 2 | PRACtice Facilitation I
This half-day training will provide Level 1-trained faculty and staff with the practical skills to both facilitate and observe dialogues on difficult topics. This will also be an opportunity to learn more about the in-course dialogue model for future courses.
Level 3 | PRACtice Facilitation II
This half-day training will provide Level 1 and 2-trained faculty and staff additional practice in a group setting. Specific feedback will be provided concerning advanced facilitator skills. Previously-trained IGD facilitators are also welcome to register for this level as a refresher course. Note: Faculty/staff will be certified via advisory committee observation and decision after either Level 2 or Level 3.
IGD ADVISING COMMITTEE
Christa Schmidt, Ph.D.
Professor, Counseling Psychology; Director, MA in Psychology Counseling Concentration. Dr. Schmidt's research interests include Positive Psychology, Health, Social Justice, and Multiculturalism.
Danice Brown, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Psychology. Currently, Dr. Brown's research is examining the intersecting gendered racial socialization experiences of African American women.
Shaunna Payne Gold, Ed.D.
Assistant Provost for Diversity and Inclusion acts as a resource to the university’s colleges and departments seeking to support institutional goals for faculty recruitment, hiring, development, and retention.
Brian Jara, M.Ed.
Brian R. Jara serves as Coordinator of Diversity Training & Initiatives in the Office
of Inclusion & Institutional Equity (OIIE). He is responsible for overseeing and executing
a university-wide plan for trainings, education, resources, and consultation on diversity,
inclusion, and equity for staff, faculty and students.
Marissa Berk-Smith, M.A.
Assistant to the Dean, College of Fine Arts & Communication. Graduate research fosuced on mapping intersections of racial identity in Baltimore. Facilitator and coordinator for IGD.