This spring, School of Social Work, the Department of Sociology and Criminology, and the Division of Student Affairs will co-sponsor, once again, intergroup dialogues for students, staff, and faculty who are interested in participating in "train the trainer" dialogues.
This semester the TRACKS Program is set to host multiple dialogues occurring on campus with the hopes of eventually integrating them with the surrounding community.You can assist to one or all dialogue series.
For a list of topics, dates and location, please see below:
Religion
February 15th 22nd & March 1st
6-8pm
Kostka
What are Intergroup Dialogues?
Intergroup dialogue [IGD] is an innovative and versatile non-therapeutic group work approach that social workers can use to reduce prejudice and conflict, improve communication and relationships, and promote social change.” (Dessel, 2009, p. 81) Drawing on Contact Theory as initially conceived by Gordon Allport and advanced by Pettigrew, it is believed that prejudice can be reduced if 5 conditions are met:
- participants have equal status
- seek a shared goal
- dialogue within the purview of a respected organization
- have the same interests and a “common humanity”
- have the potential to become friends with one another
For more information about the TRACKS Project, please contact yalonso@barry.edu or mrosenwald@barry.edu.