The 15-credit minor in intergroup relations education will change your life forever, combining with any major to provide students with skills to bravely achieve change together.
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Get ahead on your undergraduate career with a minor from IGR
The 15-credit minor in intergroup relations education will change your life forever. Students learn critical analytical skills, problem-solving in groups, intercultural leadership, and a synthesis of intellectual and practical skills to help them create a more just and equitable world. This minor combines with any major at the university to provide students with skills to bravely achieve change together. IGR minors will develop skills to:
- Raise critical consciousness
- Interrupt dominant narratives
- Collaborate across difference
IGR students who pursue the intergroup relations education minor may also earn a certificate in dialogue for community change.
"Intergroup education focuses on intergroup contact across social identities, the examination of inequality and conflict, and how groups build coalitions in the face of power inequities. The IGR minor is a valuable complement to any major. Now more than ever, it is crucial for students to become competent national and global citizens who are prepared to understand this nation's history and to work across social divisions and conflict toward a more just and peaceful world. Students who earn a minor in intergroup relations education will develop the insight and skills to lead diverse organizations and work effectively across difference."
- Kelly Maxwell, Ph.D., assistant dean for undergraduate education, College of Literature, Science, and the Arts
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Curriculum
Minor in intergroup relations education
NOTE: Curriculum requirements for the minor in intergroup relations education will be changing, effective fall 2024. Below, find both current and upcoming requirements.
Students must take at least 15 credits to fulfill requirements of the minor. Twelve of those credits must be from courses within IGR.
Current requirements
Choose either of the following classes
- ALA/PSYCH/SOC 122: Intergroup Dialogues (2 credits), or
- ALA 220/PSYCH213/SOC 218: Foundations of Intergroup Relations (3 credits)
Choose ONE of the following tracks
Facilitation
- ALA/SOC 320, PSYCH 310: Training in Intergroup Dialogue Facilitation (2 credits)
- ALA/SOC 321, PSYCH 311: Practicum in Facilitating Intergroup Dialogues (3 credits)
- ALA 270: Special Topics in Intergroup Dialogue (2 credits)
Campus Communities and Research
- Research Methods Course (SOC 210 or STATS 250 or STATS 280) (4 credits)
- Campus Community Course (ALA 324) (3 credits)
- IGR Research Practicum (ALA 329), ALA 323, PSYCH 326, or SOC 394 (2 or 3 credits)
- ALA 228 Conflict and Co-existence; ALA 322 Advanced Practicum, ALA 324 Facilitation for Effective Leadership, ALA 471 Leading Community Building, or other approved electives from other departments, see below (2-4 credits)
- Here is a list of approved LSA elective courses for the minor
Request to add an elective
If students are taking or would like to take a course that they believe qualifies as an LSA elective course for the IGR minor, please first reference the elective criteria:
- The course must address social identities and intergroup relations in some way
- The course should discuss issues of inequality, power, privilege, and oppression
- Or the course should focus on leadership and social change
- The elective must be at least a 200-level course
If you think a course may meet the requirements, email your advisor and include the following information:
- a brief write up of the course
- why you believe it should be an IGR minor elective
- a copy of the course syllabus
- ALA 429/SOC 471/PSYCH 411 Senior Capstone (3 credits)
Requirements effective fall 2024
All new IGR minors must complete:
Take at least one of the following:
- ALA/PSYCH/SOC/EDUC 122: Intergroup Dialogues (3 cr.)
- ALA 170: Social Identity, Social Inequality and Social Media (3 cr.)
- ALA 220/PSYCH/SOC 218: Foundations of Intergroup Relations (3 cr.)
- ALA 228: Conflict and Coexistence (3 cr.) - not currently offered
- ALA 284: Understanding Conflict through Int’l Dialogue (3 cr.) - not currently offered
Take at least one of the following:
- ALA/SOC 320, PSYCH 310: Training Processes of Intergroup Dialogue Facilitation (3 cr.)
- Research methods
- Elective outside of IGR: SOC 210, STATS 250 or STATS 280) (variable cr.)
- IGR Research Practicum: ALA 329/PSYCH 326, SOC 394 (variable cr.)
- SSW 752: Diversity, Dialogue and Social Justice (1 cr.)
Only for SYD students - SOC 225: Project Community (variable cr.)
Or approved elective (see IGR advisor)
- ALA/SOC 321, PSYCH 311, EDUC 329: Practicum in Facilitating Intergroup Dialogues (4 cr.)
- ALA 322: Advanced Practicum (4 cr.)
- ALA 270 (2 cr.*)
*Optional and to be taken only in conjunction with ALA 321, Asynchronous Remote - ALA 324/ EDUC 325: Facilitation in Community Settings (3 cr.)
- ALA 471/472: Leading Community Building (3 cr.)
- ALA 323: SYD practicum Independent Study (3 cr.)
All IGR minors must complete:
Certificate in dialogue for community change
Students with a declared minor in intergroup relations education are also eligible to participate a certificate in dialogue for social change, a joint undergraduate certificate with the Community Action and Social Change (CASC) program. Learn more about this certificate, criteria, and how to express interest.
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Learn more about the IGR minor
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Higher ed MA preferred admittance
Students who complete the minor in intergroup relations education qualify for preferred admittance into the Marsal Family School of Education's Master of Arts in higher education.
Related news
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Strengthening our minor in intergroup relations education
March 27, 2024
IGR has completed changes to the minor in intergroup relations education, strengthening the its foundation of social justice education and creating new pathways to impact.
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IGR, Community Action and Social Change launch new certificate
October 10, 2023
Students with an interest in intergroup dialogue facilitation and social change can participate in a new certificate program, dialogue for community change, starting in fall 2023.
Have any questions?
If you're ready to take the next step, please complete our minor interest form and an advisor will contact you. Or, check our frequently asked questions page, and reach out to us any other questions at [email protected].