Program Overview

Intergroup Dialogue Program

The Intergroup Dialogue (IGD) program is a nationally recognized, evidence-based initiative that brings together small groups of individuals with different social identities to share their experiences and gain deeper understanding of each other. Social identities refer to salient sociological constructs such as gender, race/ethnicity, nationality, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, ability/dis-ability, spirituality/religion, or other belief systems - including political affiliation.

IDG at JMU

At James Madison University (JMU), international faculty and staff from a wide range of countries and continents work with each other in departments, colleges, and administrative units. The simple distinction of international and U.S. faculty and staff hides further aspects of national identity, such as American citizens who are immigrants or whose parents were immigrants, Americans with strong racial-ethnic-cultural identities connected to different parts of the world, or Native Americans who are indigenous to the country. Furthermore, national identity intersects with other important identity factors such as race, gender, and class.

Program Areas

The program focuses on the following areas:

• Scholarship
• Teaching
• Wellness and Well-being

Faculty Communities

The program offers various faculty communities, including:

• Intergroup Dialogue
• Reading Groups
• Writing Studios
• Propose a Faculty Community
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Events

Upcoming events include:

• Scholarship Studio: September
• Coffee and Conversations About Teaching and Learning - September 4, 10, 17, 25
• Night Write
• Building a Network of Support: A Faculty Guide to Madison Cares
• Scholarship Studio: October
• Coffee and Conversations About Teaching and Learning - October 8, 16
• Neuroaffirming Approaches to Research & Scholarship
• Adjunct Faculty Grading Hour
• Scholarship Retreats @ The Farm - October 10
• Scaling Up: Navigating Large Enrollment Courses

Teaching Toolbox

The program features a Teaching Toolbox with articles such as:

• Believing (in) Students
• Icebreakers
• Grounding My Teaching in What I Want Students to Learn
• Thanks for Everything, Emily (Especially the Teaching Toolbox)
• A Transition

Resources

Additional resources are available, including:

• Faculty Communities Home
• Register for a CFI Program
• Request a Consultation