Difficult Dialogues - A Series for K-State Faculty

In collaboration with the Dow Center for Multicultural and Community Studies and the K-State Teaching and Learning Center, I am pleased to announce the continuation of our sessions of the Difficult Dialogues series. Difficult Dialogues was created to help faculty make progress on their knowledge and skill in facilitating difficult conversations in the classroom when difficult or challenging topics arise. The Difficult Dialogues series covers topics such as mental health, race and ethnicity, gender sexual orientation and identity, political divide/current events. Faculty are invited to join us for these active sessions that will enhance their skills to facilitate a discussion on a controversial topic.

Please stay tuned for further announcements of topics and sessions.

Spring 2021

Monday, February 8, 2021 via Zoom, 11:30am-1:00pm (Link will be sent to registered participants)

Empathy and Discovery in Class Discussions on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice

Dr. Don Saucier and Dr. Be Stoney

Description: In this webinar, we will provide instructors with effective guidelines and practices to help them facilitate difficult dialogues and conversations about diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice in their classes. We will discuss concrete and practical recommendations to help instructors build community within their classes, foster empathy 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. We will discuss how to help students appreciate the importance of understanding others’ cultural norms and values and to have fact-based conversations about culture, race, and ethnicity. We will discuss how to cultivate students’ attitudes of discovery, curiosity, and inquiry to allow them to better consider and understand issues related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice.

Don Saucier

Dr. Don Saucier

Professor of Psychological Sciences
University Distinguished Teaching Scholar
Faculty Associate Director of the Teaching & Learning Center

Be Stoney

Dr. Be Stoney

Associate Professor
Physical and Multicultural Education

Bio:

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.

Bio:

Be Stoney received her Ph.D. in Multicultural & Special Education from the University of Texas in 1999. She has been at K-State since 1999. Her research focuses are multicultural education, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and intercultural learning in K-12 classrooms. She has been president-elect of the Research Association for Minority Professors and an active member of the organization, a member of Society for Intercultural Education, Training and Research, selected as the outstanding alum in the College of Education at the University of Texas at El-Paso, served as a Tilford Fellow, has served on numerous committees in the NCAA and Big XII, and serves as the Faculty Athletics Representative for Intercollegiate Athletics.