The Dialogue Across Difference Project is part of the Department of Communication Studies focus on Communicating to Connect in a Divided World. The initiative centers on the importance of sustained and structured interactions as necessary to achieve outcomes such as understanding across different lived experiences, attitude change, collective action toward important social issues, and more inclusive decision-making. Merging theory, research, and practice, the initiative aims to:
- provide undergraduate students across campus the opportunity to engage in facilitated and sustained conversations across different identities (e.g., race, religion, political), ideologies, and worldviews as part of their educational experience
- introduce undergraduate and graduate students to research and theories on intergroup dialogue and intergroup contact along with experience in facilitating and developing programs for “dialoguing across difference”
- provide resources and guidance for the university and local community in developing and implementing dialogue projects and programming
- assist facilitating and evaluating dialogue programs for the university and local community
Students and the Dialogue Across Difference Project
"People don't learn by staring into a mirror; people learn by encountering difference."
--Ronald Heifetz
Courses
COMM 160 Practicing Intergroup Dialogue
Practicum course will allow students to engage in a semester-long, facilitated conversations with peers about salient social issues while reflecting on their own worldviews and biases, communication competencies, and identities. Introductions to conceptual framework of intergroup dialogue is included as part of the course.
COMM 360 Dialogue Across Difference
Course provides students with an in-depth overview of theorizing and research on intergroup dialogue as well as experience in engaging others about polarizing social issues. Students also develop their own intergroup dialogue project that can be implemented in subsequent semesters in the campus or local community.
COMM 465 Communication and Social Identity
Course provides an overview of social identity theorizing, intergroup communication, intergroup bias, intergroup contact, and intergroup dialogue.
COMM 930 Social Identity & Intergroup Communication
Graduate seminar with in-depth focus on research and theorizing on social identity and intergroup communication, communication theories on identity (e.g., communication accommodation theory, communication theory of identity), intergroup contact, and intergroup dialogue.
Experiential Learning Opportunities
Undergraduate students can gain experience and earn course credit facilitating dialogue sessions while learning about facilitation or implementing and researching processes and outcomes of intergroup dialogue projects developed in their courses.
Collaborating with Campus and Local Communities
How Can We Help?
Faculty and students associated with the Dialogue Difference Project can (a) provide presentations related to dialoguing across difference in a variety of relational, community or professional contexts, (b) consult on any projects or initiatives aimed at constructive conversations across difference, or (c) assist with facilitation or evaluation of initiatives or programs. Our focus is on integrating constructive and effective from empirical research and successful established programs while ensuring inclusive practices in these efforts.
Recent Activities
- Research presentations to academic and community audiences on communicating across difference
- Dialogue workshops
- Consulting and coordinating dialogue programs on campus
- Curriculum development for education abroad programs focusing on intergroup relationships, dialogue, and reconciliation
- Instructional materials for Mandela Washington Fellowship-Leadership in Civic Engagement program
Questions about the Dialogue Across Difference Project?
Please contact Dr. Jordan Soliz for more information on our initiative and how we can help you or your organization.