The overall goal of the program is to enhance the intellectual atmosphere and augment the institutional opportunities for “difficult dialogues” throughout the campus. The purpose is not to change people’s beliefs. Rather, the purpose is to create and institutionalize models of dialogue based on mutual respect, tolerance, and an informed exchange of ideas and beliefs.

Nine Texas Tech faculty members were selected to develop and lead teaching modules in difficult dialogues related to any number of contemporary issues relevant to his/her discipline that might spark tension or controversy in the classroom. The program is designed for Texas Tech faculty and graduate teaching assistants.

 Spring Workshops

⇒Preparing a Classroom for Difficult Dialogues - Dr. Laura J. Beard, Department of Classical & Modern Languages & Literatures

1/31/2012 I 2:00-4:00 p.m. I TLTC Room 153

This workshop will set off from bell hooks’ perspective of engaged pedagogy, in Teaching to Transgress: Education as the Practice of Freedom (1994: 12), when she urges all of us “to open our minds and hearts so that we can know beyond the boundaries of what is acceptable, so that we can think and rethink, so that we can create new visions.” We will focus on strategies for creating a classroom conducive to difficult dialogues and on strategies for dealing with hot moments in the classroom. We will also share and reflect on the type of learning we want to take place in our classrooms and in ourselves. The workshop will be an interactive and discussion-based workshop. Outcomes: · Learn strategies for creating an open, safe, or welcoming classroom conducive to difficult dialogues · Develop strategies for dealing with hot moments in the classroom · Share and reflect on the type of learning we want to take place in our classrooms.

⇒Race, Identity, and Citizenship in the United States - Dr. Miguel A. Levario, Department of History

2/28/2012 I 2:00-3:30 p.m. I TLTC Room 153

This workshop is a thematically based discussion designed to explore the questions stemming from the historical process and definition of race, identity, and citizenship in the United States. This seminar will explore the general understanding of the scholarship and theoretical foundations of race, ethnicity, and citizenship as social and political constructs that permeate all aspects of social life. A historical review of the role of political and social institutions and organizations will demonstrate how these constructs mutate, shift, or redefined over time. Lastly, this seminar will address the classroom methodology utilized to address such divisive issues such as race, policy, and social practice. In addition, the seminar will explore how to use multimedia such as YouTube, documentaries, satirical material, etc. to address the complexity of ethnic identity and assimilation. Outcomes: · Understand theoretical definitions of race and ethnicity in the United States and globally · Review and understand the historical processes of ethnic socio-political identity among various ethnic groups · Review classroom methodology and sensitivity when regarding contentious topics such as race, policy, and social practice.

⇒Diversity Learning Workshop - Dr. Elizabeth Trejos, College of Human Sciences

3/27/2012 I 1:30-3:30 p.m. I TLTC Room 153

It is critically important that knowledge on diversity is included in the professional development of faculty. Thus, it is imperative to develop a comprehensive method not only for raising awareness about diversity and inclusiveness in the university environment, but to be able to evaluate the transference of cultural competency knowledge, skills, and attitudes into behaviors that are effectively reflected in practice. Outcomes: · Acquire integral knowledge on diverse learning processes and instructional techniques · Participate in hands-on and experiential learning activities.

⇒Immigration and Media Representation of Hispanics/Latinos - Dr. Kenton T. Wilkinson, College of Mass Communications

4/18/2012 I 2:00-3:30 p.m. I TLTC Room 153

Immigration is currently a hot-button topic in the United States and a number of other countries. Although a range of diverse opinions on the topic exist within U.S. society (and across the TTU campus), limited perspectives tend to be voiced in the mainstream media. Some are also concerned that the media, especially television, conflate Hispanic/Latino ethnic identity with immigrant, especially illegal immigrant, status. This workshop will describe two in-class student debates on immigration, include an abbreviated debate among the workshop attendees, and conclude with a discussion among the participants. Outcomes: · Enhance attendees’ understanding of an often divisive issue that is relevant to Texas and the nation · Increase attendees’ awareness of the media’s influence on public opinion concerning controversial topics and specific social groups · Expand attendees’ options for facilitating difficult dialogues in the classroom.

About the program:

The workshops will be offered free of charge to faculty members of the Texas Tech campus through the Teaching, Learning, and Technology Center (TLTC).

To register visit the TLTC website, http://www.tltc.ttu.edu/home/index.asp  and click on “register for an event” and look up the workshop you are interested in attending.

If you have any questions, or for a complete list of the upcoming workshops, please contact the Cross-Cultural Academic Advancement Center at 742-8681 or crosscultural@ttu.edu