The Dialogue Development Group
What is Dialogue?
While dialogue can mean many things, DDG defines it as a sustained, collaboratively structured conversation where participants from one, two, or more "social identity groups" speak from their personal experience and explore both the differences and the common ground that exist among them. In dialogue we are interested in listening to understand rather than serial monologuing (which can happen in discussion) or listening to gain advantage (which typically happens in debate.) In dialogue we do not try to convince others of our points of view. There is no emphasis on winning, but rather on learning, collaborating and creating new and shared understanding.
Spring 2008 Weekly Dialogues (February 25 – April 17)
(A) Who Wears the Pants? Exploring Gender and Power (Mondays, 2/25-4/14)
What does "wearing the pants" really mean in terms of gender relations? How do we define and maintain gender identity and gender roles? How do our perceptions of gender (both our own gender and others') influence power dynamics within society? Join us for an engaging dialogue about power and gender relations.
(B) What's Beyond the Divide?
An Honest and Open Dialogue about the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict (Tuesdays, 2/26-4/15)
The dialogue aims to create an open and safe space for all students on campus to discuss their own views and opinions of Arab-Jewish-American relations surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Participants will guide the dialogue by collaborating and creating a series of topics and issues they are interested in discussing.
(C) Light Skin - Dark Skin: Humanizing the Race Conversation (Wednesdays, 2/27-4/16)
Have you ever felt frustrated and stripped of your individualism because of a racial label? Do you sometimes feel boxed into a stereotypical ethnic group? Come join us as we explore these and other burning questions you've always wanted to ask, but never felt comfortable enough to do so in the uniquely honest, open and safe environment dialogue provides.
(D) Red, Blue and Beyond: Political Views and Voices in 2008 (Thursdays, 2/28-4/17)
"He who knows only his side of the case knows little of that." —John Stuart Mill
What does it mean to be liberal? Conservative? Independent? How do your politics inform your stance on issues in the 2008 election (environment, war in Iraq, healthcare, gay marriage, etc.)? Come share your views and learn about what happens across the aisle.
(E) Religion and Spirituality: How Do Our Beliefs Connect and Conflict? (Thursdays, 2/28-4/17)
What do you believe, and how do you express these beliefs? How do you understand beliefs and practices different from your own and interact with people who hold them? How do you believe religious diversity impacts society at large? Whether you consider yourself religious/spiritual or not, come delve into these questions through dialogue.
Groups meet from 5:30–8:00 pm for 7 weekly sessions beginning the week of Feb. 25th (excluding spring break). Dialogues are facilitated by trained SIS graduate students and alumni under faculty supervision.
APPLICATION FORMS DUE FRI. 2/8/08 (See reverse for application). To learn more about DDG, an AU student organization, please e-mailddg@american.eduor visit www.aupeace.org/ddg.
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