IGR Course Sequence

The course sequence in Intergroup Relations is designed for students with special interests in social diversity and social justice. Intergroup Relations courses offer experience in both analyzing and understanding issues of diversity and justice, and building practical skills to deal with these issues in the "real world."

Students may find this sequence useful in preparing for careers in social work, law, medicine, clinical psychology, education, business, and other diverse workplaces. Students may also use this sequence to enter graduate programs in social justice, become community organizers, or engage in other professions directly relevant to social action. Additionally, students study this sequence not merely for professional reasons, but also to refine and actualize their own values as individuals and community members.

For more information on the IGR Course Sequence, please contact The Program on Intergroup Relations. The following courses listed in the sequence below are examples of applicable Intergroup Relations courses and are recommended, but not required.

The Intergroup Relations Sequence:

I. Introductory Course in Intergroup Relations (3 credits)

• At least one introductory seminar from the "FIGS" Group.
• If possible, this course should be taken during the first year. (Some, but not all, of these courses fulfill the University's Race and Ethnicity requirement.)
• Examples of FIGS courses include: Psych 120/CAAS 103 I, Too, Sing America; Portug 150 Breaking Gender & Racial Barriers in Brazil; Psych 120/CAAS 103 Challenges to Democracy; Soc 105 Democracy, Diversity, & Community; Psych 120 Racism Underground: Prejudice in America; Psych 120/CAAS 103 Justice for All? Difference and Oppression in U.S. Society.

II. Intergroup Dialogues (2 credits)

• Psychology 122 (also listed as Sociology 122 and UC 122).
• If possible, Psych/Soc 122 should be completed by the first semester of the sophomore year. A second dialogue, on a different topic, may be taken for two additional credits.
• Examples of topics offered in recent semesters include: Race & Ethnicity; Gender; Sexual Orientation; Religion; Socio-Economic Class and International Students/U.S. Students.

III. Foundations of Intergroup Relations (3 credits)

• Psychology 218

IV. Training and Practicum in Intergroup Dialogues (6 credits)

• Psychology 310/Sociology 320/UC 320: Training Processes for Intergroup Dialogue Facilitation. (This course should be completed by the end of the junior year, and must be completed by the first semester of the senior year.)

• Psychology 311/Sociology 321/UC 321: Practicum in Intergroup Dialogue Facilitation. (This course is usually taken the semester after Psych 310/Soc 320/UC 320 is completed.)

V. Capstone Course: Advanced Intergroup Relations (3 credits)

• This course, offered periodically, will focus on social justice and social change in the United States and on individual participants’ own values, skills and future plans. By their senior year, many UM students committed to social change have managed to find places where they can learn about such work or even engage in it with allies on campus or the local community. But what about after graduation?  This course seeks to address this question and consider social change and social justice in the real world.

• The course will explore alternative meanings of social justice, theories and strategies of social change, roles of change agents in traditional career environs, the costs and benefits of careers of social activism, including opportunities for career choices in these arenas and the assessment of personal skills and resources, discussions with local social justice advocates and organizational representatives, and practice in multicultural teamwork and coalition building.

VI. Elective Courses in Intergroup Relations
A partial list of courses suggested as electives for further study in Intergroup Relations includes:

• Psychology 405. Social Psychology in Community Settings (offered in winter semesters).
• UC 170. Faith Identities and Your Campus Experience.  
• UC 170. World, Community, and Self. 
• Psychology 120-105. Racism Underground: Hidden and Not-so-Hidden Prejudice in America .
• Psychology 305/American Culture 309. Practicum in Multicultural Communities.
• Psychology 315/ 327. Psychological Aspects of the Black Experience.
• Psychology 316/Afroamerican and African Studies 331. The World of the Black Child.
• Psychology 317/American Culture 309. Community Based Research.
• Psychology 318/American Culture 309. Laboratory in Community Research.
• Psychology 319/American Culture 309. Empowering Families and Communities.
• Psychology 320/American Culture 309. Laboratory in Community Intervention.
• Psychology 411/Womens Studies 411. Gender and Group Process in a Multicultural Context.
• Sociology 105. Class, Race, Gender, and Modernity.
• Sociology 202. Contemporary Social Issues: Social Inequality.
• Sociology 204. Intergroup Relations and Conflict.
• Sociology 205. Poverty, Race, and Health.
• Sociology 303/ Afroamerican and African Studies 303. Race and Ethnic Relations.
• Sociology 323/ Afroamerican and African Studies 321. African American Social Thought.
• Sociology 404/American Culture 404. Hispanic-Americans: Social Problems and Social Issues.
• Sociology 410. The American Jewish Community.
• Sociology 412. Ethnic Identity and Intergroup Relations.
• Sociology 434/ Afroamerican & African Studies 434. Social Organization of Black Communities.
• Sociology 435. Urban Inequity and Conflict.
• Sociology 447. Sociology of Gender.
• Sociology 490/REES 490/Womens Studies 492. Women and Islam: A Sociological Perspective.
• Sociology 424. Social Stratification.
• Sociology 521/ Afroamerican and African Studies 521. African American Intellectual Thought.
• Residential College 381. Unteaching Racism.
• Economics 325/Political Science 439. Inequality in the United States .
• Women's Studies 250. Introduction to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Studies.
• OBHRM (Business) 326. Workforce Diversity.