Social Work & Social Justice Dialogues

Dialogue across differences is essential for social workers to engage people at all levels (e.g. individuals, groups, communities, organizations, etc.) and advocate within systems. The Social Work & Social Justice Dialogues bring together students from diverse backgrounds and experiences to promote social justice education and community.

Intergroup Dialogue Model

Utilizing the Intergroup Dialogue model, participants will explore issues of diversity and inequality and their personal and social responsibility for building a more just society. The three broad goals of intergroup dialogue are:

• to develop intergroup understanding by helping students explore their own and others’ social identities and statuses, and the role of social structures in relationships of privilege and inequality;
• to foster positive intergroup relationships by developing students’ empathy and motivation to bridge differences of identities and statuses;
• to foster intergroup collaboration for personal and social responsibility toward greater social justice.

Apply by Monday, September 9, 2019

Fall 2019 Dialogue Groups

Topic: Punishment, Prisons & Parole: Mass Incarceration in the U.S.

Dialogue Group #1:  Mondays 12-2 PM

September 23, September 30, October 7, October 21, October 28, November 4

*Note that there will not be a session on Monday, October 14 due to the Fall Study Break.

Dialogue Group #2: Thursdays 5:30-7:30 PM

September 26, October 3, October 10, October 17, October 24, October 31

Topic: Beyond the Borders: The State of Immigration in the U.S.

Dialogue Group #3: Wednesdays 2:30-4:30 PM

September 25, October 2, October 9, October 16, October 23, October 30

Dialogue Group #4: Thursdays 12-2 PM

September 26, October 3, October 10, October 17, October 24, October 31

Food or snacks will be provided at all dialogue sessions.

Participant Criteria

• Participants commit to attending all six weekly sessions
• Must be a currently enrolled MSW student in the School of Social Work

Participants who complete the dialogue program will be given special consideration to become a trained facilitator for future dialogues.

Participation in the dialogues also contributes to the requirements for the Rackham DEI Professional Development Certificate.

For questions, contact: ssw-dei-office@umich.edu 

Apply by Monday, September 9, 2019