Academic Courses
Villanova offers various courses鈥攁t both the undergraduate and graduate levels鈥攖hat are rooted in the dialogic approach.
Please email the Center for Dialogue for more information on course enrollment.
Dialogue on Identity and Social Justice
Dialogue on Identity and Social Justice: Specific Identity Topic
Through strategically facilitated dialogue on a specific identity topic and its intersections, participants explore their identities and lived experiences with the goal of increasing understanding of self, others, systemic (in)equity, (in)justice, and their own agency to enact change. Individuals learn the skills to engage in honest and dignifying conversations as they also build relationships and community.
- COM 5300
- 1 credit undergraduate course
- Typically offered 2 hours once a week for 7 weeks, or 14 hours total
- Offered by the Center for Dialogue and the Department of Communication
- Trained faculty and staff members facilitate each small class.
- Sections offered focus on 1 topic such as gender, socioeconomic status, religion/faith/spirituality, race, sexual orientation and disability.
- Courses carry the Peace & Justice attribute to be used toward an elective for the major or minor.
- Three 1-credit topical courses can be bundled to meet the Diversity 1 requirement for CLAS students and a free elective for VSB or Engineering students. Courses do not have to be taken in the same semester.
Students should register for COM 5300-100 and fill out the .
Please email the Center for Intergroup Dialogue team with any questions.
Dialogue on Identity and Social Justice: Multiple Identities
Through strategically facilitated dialogue on the multiple identities students hold, participants explore their identities and lived鈥痚xperiences鈥痺ith the goal of increasing understanding of self,鈥痮thers,鈥痵ystemic鈥�(in)equity, (in)justice, and their own agency to enact鈥痗hange. Individuals鈥痩earn the skills to engage in honest and dignifying鈥痗onversations as they also鈥痓uild relationships and community. 鈥�
- COM 5300
- Some sections are designated for particular populations of students, e.g., First Year Communitas students, Presidential Scholars, etc.
- 1 credit undergraduate course
- 2 hours once a week for 7 weeks, or 14 hours total
- Offered by the Center for Dialogue and the Department of Communication
- Trained faculty and staff members facilitate each small class
Students should register for COM 5300-110 and fill out the .
Please email the Center for Intergroup Dialogue team with any questions.
Professional Program Courses
Intergroup Relations in Public Administration
This course is a dialogue-based, seminar-style course designed for public administration students interested in focused study of social justice concepts and cross-cultural communication within the public sector. We will explore issues of social group identity, conflict, community, and social justice issues concepts through the use of evidenced-based Intergroup Relations Dialogic techniques.
- MPA 8299
- 1 credit graduate course
- Schedule varies
- Offered by the Center for Dialogue and the Master of Public Administration
- Trained faculty and staff members facilitate each small class
Theory and Practice of Ministry IV: Seminar in Intercultural Competencies for Ministry
This course seeks to equip students to carry out ministry with sensitivity and effectiveness in the current multicultural context of American society. Utilizing a theological approach rooted in mutual respect and collaborative learning, the course focuses on developing cultural competencies for pastoral care, worship, and community life in diverse settings. Students will deepen their personal awareness of the intersectionality of identities together with their understanding of systemic injustice and interlocking social oppressions. They will develop skills for dialogue and engagement across lines of identity difference in order to more fully embody ministries of compassion and justice.
- THL 8804
- 1.5 credit graduate course
- Schedule varies
- Offered by the Center for Dialogue and the Master of Arts in Ministry and Theology
- Trained faculty and staff members facilitate each small class
Race, Justice and Dialogue Course (RJDC)
The aim of the RJDC is to expand and deepen students鈥� critical consciousness of power and difference and promote student action and advocacy in the service of social justice. The course connects the history of Villanova, the development of race as a construct, and manifestations of racism to students鈥� academic disciplines and practices. Throughout the course, students will engage in the practice of dialogue to process the course content through individuals鈥� identities and experiences.
- Prefix and course number varies by College
- 3 credit undergraduate course
- Offered by the Center for Dialogue and various academic departments
- Trained faculty and staff members serve as instructors and dialogue facilitators
- Courses carry the Peace & Justice attribute to be used toward an elective for the major or minor.
- Some courses may meet Diversity 1 requirement for CLAS students. (Consult syllabi.)