Hot Topics

UNLV Intergroup Dialogue Program Pilot

The UNLV Department of Special Education in the College of Education
& the Office of the Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion
Announces the Spring 2009 UNLV Intergroup Dialogue Program Pilot
4 Topic Sections, Two Hours a Week for Eight Weeks (excludes spring break), 1 Credit


PEOPLE OF COLOR/WHITE PEOPLE (RACE)
Explore, question, and confront existing tensions and divisions between and among people on the basis of racial and ethnic identity in the United States and, to a lesser extent, abroad. Discuss black/white issues and the impact of the black/white dichotomy of race in the United States on other people of color. Discuss black/Latina/o issues. Discuss Latina/o/white issues. Discuss black/Asian issues. Discuss the invisibility of American Indians. Discuss genocide and debunk theories of racial and ethnic superiority and inferiority. Discuss the concept of “the racial ‘other.’” Discuss intraracial and intraethnic issues. Examine racial and ethnic dynamics within and across racial and ethnic communities. Learn to build bridges and create kinship, while developing increased conflict negotiation skills between and among members of all racial and ethnic groups. Co-Facilitators Alex Templeton & Anna Smedley.

WEDNESDAYS 2:30-4:30 p.m., beginning March 11 and ending May 6, Multicultural Center (Houssels House)

MEN/WOMEN (SEX/GENDER)
Explore, question, and confront existing tensions and divisions between and among people on the basis sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, as women, as men, etc. Explore so-called biological imperatives relating to sex; examine social constructions of gender and related gender roles across race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, and socioeconomic class; question conceptualizations of femininity and masculinity; discuss relationships between women and men, among women, and among men; interrogate the notion of a “nuclear family” and examine different family configuration models; confront sexism. Learn to build bridges and create kinship, while developing increased conflict negotiation skills between and among women and men. Co-Facilitators Christina Hernandez & José Melendrez

THURSDAYS Noon-2 p.m., beginning March 12th and ending May 7th, Multicultural Center (Houssels House)

LGBT/HETEROSEXUAL (SEXUAL ORIENTATION)
Explore, question, and confront existing tensions and divisions between and among lesbian, gay, bisexual and heterosexual people. Discuss issues of sexuality, heterosexism, and homophobia between and among lesbian, gay, bisexual and heterosexual people. Examine the impact of heterosexual privilege in the United States and, to a lesser extent, abroad. Discuss the concept of “two-spirited” people and the emergence of heterosexism and homophobia in especially Western (and Westernized) religious frameworks. Examine dynamics of sexual orientation within and across racial and ethnic communities in the United States and abroad. Learn to build bridges and create kinship, while developing increased conflict negotiation skills between and among members of all sexual orientations. Co-Facilitators Daniel Gutiérrez & Ivet Santiago.

THURSDAYS 2:30-4:30 p.m., beginning March 12 and ending May 7, Multicultural Center (Houssels House)

INTERFAITH/SECULAR
Explore, question, and confront existing tensions and divisions between and among people of all religions, spiritual orientations, faith traditions, and secular affiliations. Examine the impact of Christian privilege in the United States and, to a lesser extent, abroad. Examine dynamics of religion and secularity within and across racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic communities. Examine the impact of the Christianization of people of color, as well as from other social identity groups. Develop increased conflict negotiation skills while learning to create community between and among people across belief systems. Co-Facilitators Chris Clark & Algerian Hart.

TUESDAYS 3-5 p.m., beginning March 10 and ending May 5, Multicultural Center (Houssels House)

PLEASE NOTE: The Multicultural Center/Centro Multicultural is currently located in a building (Houssels House) that is not totally accessible. For individuals with mobility challenges, physical accessibility is limited to the first floor of the building which is where these courses will be held. Still, if you have mobility issues and want to ensure that you will have access to these courses, or if you require other accommodations to participate in these courses, please contact the Multicultural Center/Centro Multicultural at 895-5580 immediately so we may assist you.
Register Now!
If you would like a Diversity and Inclusion staff member to come to your class to talk briefly about the Program, or to register, please contact Anna Smedley at anna.smedley@unlv.edu.

March 03, 2009