February 19, 2024 | By Nick Pfost
The Program on Intergroup Relations (IGR) and the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA) have approved a series of positive changes to IGR courses, effective fall 2024. Their adoption follows a year-long curriculum review—a coordinated effort to meet the evolving needs and interests of students. It also recognizes several courses as fulfilling key LSA degree requirements, including those for race and ethnicity and the college's social science distribution.
What's new?
This fall, we'll offer "Introduction to Social Justice and Intergroup Relations Education" (ALA 221), a new two-credit course where students will examine the theoretical and pedagogical roots of intergroup relations and social justice education. The class will also cover how these encompass liberatory education, and how education can be used to address intergroup tensions.
Several courses will return with adjustments to credits, distributions, or foci:
- Starting in fall 2024, "Intergroup Dialogues" (ALA 122) will be a three-credit course, increased from two. It will newly fulfill both the race and ethnicity requirement and social science distribution.
- "Training in Intergroup Dialogue Facilitation" (ALA 320) will also be offered at three credits this fall, up from two. It will also fulfill LSA's social science distribution.
- "Practicum in Intergroup Dialogue Facilitation" (ALA 321) will now be four credits starting in fall 2024, increased from three credits, and fulfill the race and ethnicity requirement and social science distribution.
- ALA 329 returns as "Research Methods," a two credit course taught by Sara Crider.
- And ALA 324, formerly "Facilitation for Effective Leadership," will become "Facilitation in Community Settings," returning in winter 2025.
Learn more about IGR courses in our course catalog. Backpacking opens for fall 2024 on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, with registration by appointment beginning April 3-19. (See your communicated appointment time for details.)