Preparing for Class Discussions on Issues Related to Diversity, Inclusion, and Social Justice

Preparing for Class Discussions on Issues Related to Diversity, Inclusion, and Social Justice
Engagement: Introductory Zoom Session nt and uncomfortable engaging in class discussions about issues related to diversity and inclusion. Consequently, we as instructors may fail to have open and honest conversations about human differences (e.g., according to race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity), social inequity and inequality, and social justice, and thus miss the opportunity to empower ourselves and our students to make positive changes within our social worlds. In this session, I will discuss concrete and practical recommendations to help instructors build community within their classes to allow for these discussions, foster empathy in these discussions for multiple perspectives, and create ways for individuals to use their voices both to share their perspectives and experiences during these discussions and to promote social change through future action. I will also discuss strategies for managing the discomfort and conflict that may/will arise during these discussions.

Presenter

Dr. Don Saucier
University Distinguished Teaching Scholar
Department of Psychological Sciences

Don Saucier received his Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology (Social) from the University of Vermont in 2001. He has been at K-State since 2004. His research examines expressions of prosocial and antisocial behavior (including prejudice and discrimination based on race, gender, and sexual orientation). He is a Fellow of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology (SPSP), the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues (SPSSI), the Society for Experimental Social Psychology (SESP), and the Midwestern Psychological Association (MPA). His many teaching awards include the Coffman Chair for University Distinguished Teaching Scholars and the Presidential Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching.