Routledge Facilitating Change through Intergroup Dialogue: Social Justice Advocacy in Practice

In order both to prepare for an increasingly diverse society and to help students navigate diverse learning environments, many institutions of higher education have developed programs that support student learning and competencies around inter- and intra-group relations. Facilitating Change through Intergroup Dialogue: Social Justice Advocacy in Practice traces the impact of Intergroup Dialogue (IGD) courses on peer-facilitators who delivered Skidmore College’s IGD curricula over a five-year period. Through a series of in-depth qualitative interviews and auto-ethnographies, this book explores how former IGD facilitators are applying what they learned to their personal and professional lives three to five years post-college. By exploring facilitators' application of IGD skills, understanding of social justice, and the challenges inherent in this work, Facilitating Change through Intergroup Dialogue offers concrete strategies for supporting undergraduate students in their enduring efforts towards justice.   Review Dr. Kristie Ford and colleagues provide an important contribution to our understanding of the post-college life and career choices following students’ roles as intergroup dialogue facilitators and intergroup relations minors. The narratives are compelling and illuminate the broader transferable skills that leadership in undergraduate social justice education offers. This book supports what many of us in higher education have believed---leadership in social justice activities creates powerful advocates and allies that use their learning as they navigate personal and professional relationships. I highly recommend this book for social justice educators who are mentoring undergraduates and especially for student leaders considering their post-college options. --Kelly Maxwell, Co-Director and Lecturer, The Program on Intergroup Relations, University of Michigan, USA About the Author Kristie A. Ford is Professor of Sociology and Director of the Intergroup Relations Program at Skidmore College, USA.