DSJE Co-Sponsored Courses
PSYC 496: Introduction to Facilitating Intergroup Dialogue
This course is designed to give students a general overview of the skills and knowledge needed to facilitate diverse group interactions. The primary group facilitation method will be structured around Critical-Dialogic Intergroup Dialogue. Students will explore the impact of various identities on group dynamics and relationships. This course is open to undergraduate students.
Section: ID3 CRN: 37966
Meets: Mondays, 2pm-4:50pm, Rm 29 Psych Building
Instructor: Kellie R. Blanden
EPSY 203: Social Issues Group Dialogue
These courses provide a space for students to have an open dialogue with peers in small group settings on diversity and social justice topic areas. Each section uses a structured dialogue format to explore intergroup and intragroup differences and similarities within historical and contemporary contexts. Each section uses active learning exercises, in addition to weekly readings, reflective writing assignments, and topic-based dialogues. Courses are taught by real-life practitioners from the University of Illinois and Urbana-Champaign community.
These are second 8-week classes; open enrollment that do not require an application. May be repeated in the same term to a maximum of 2 hours. May be repeated in separate terms to a maximum of 6 hours.
Fall 2025 EPSY Courses
Immigration, Citizenship, & Social Justice
This course explores social justice issues in US-based immigration and citizenship history and policies.
Exploring Race & Ethnicity
We invite you to join us in this interactive course designed to discuss topics centered around race, culture, stereotypes and social privilege.
Resisting Marginalization
This course aims to empower students by exploring the dynamics of marginalization in various social contexts.
Exploring Oppression: Historical Contexts & Contemporary Impacts
This course explores the historical roots and modern realities of systemic oppression across race, class, gender, sexuality, ability, and more.
Reproductive Justice
This course explores reproductive justice as a social justice issue alongside other systems of oppression.
Interested in teaching with DSJE?
Previous EPSY 203 Courses
Black Activism in Sports
- Instructors:
- Shanika Mungin (University of Illinois Athletics)
- Dementro Powell (UIPD)
Students will engage in discussions sharing their perspectives and understanding in Black Activism in Sports through a series of thematic topics including but not limited to Black Women in Sports, Caring for our Black Athletes, the Black Athlete Experience, and more. Students will be able to ask questions in a safe environment while expressing their experiences in athletics from different points of view and experiences. This class will help students become familiar with some of the challenges while offering some resources and strategies on how to become allies or better well-informed leaders on this topic.
Exploring Size and Sizeism
- Instructors:
- Amy Fitzjarrald (University Housing)
- Ron Threadgill (Applied Health Sciences)
This course explores body size and weight-based oppression as a social justice issue alongside other systems of oppression. Topics include socio-historical constructions of size, fatness, and bodies, activism and advocacy around fatness and body positivity, and contemporary case studies in fat studies.
Resisting Marginalization
- Instructors:
- Dr. Eugene Moore, MBA
- Dr. Charles Young
This course is highly experiential, interactive, and it helps students develop various skills. These skills include critical thinking, listening, perspective taking, and critical self-reflection. Students are also challenged to develop awareness and understanding of critical intergroup relations issues affecting individuals, organizations, and communities.
Reproductive Justice
- Instructors:
- Kara Lawrence (Women's Resources Center)
- Amie Baumeister (Women's Resources Center)
This course explores reproductive justice as a social justice issue alongside other systems of oppression. Topics include sociological and historical contexts of reproductive justice, intersectionality and reproductive justice, activism and advocacy around reproductive rights and justice, and contemporary case studies in reproductive justice.
Exploring Race and Ethnicity
- Instructors:
- Dr. Joe Cross
- April Carter
We invite you to join us in this interactive course designed to discuss topics centered around race, culture, stereotypes, social privilege, macroaggressions etc. We encourage students to bring their own unique experiences, perspectives, and stories to the classroom to inform our dialogue.
Disability Social Justice
- Instructors:
- Tina Cowsert
- Matt Archer
This dialogue course introduces students to perspectives in disability social justice. We will explore the histories, socio-legal contexts, ideas, and special topics that have shaped movements toward disability social justice.
Conservative & Liberal Dialogue
Instructors:
- R. Deterding
- S. Bidner
This dialogue course introduces students to different dimensions and aspects of political relations within the United States and, depending on class interest, between the US and other countries. We will explore the histories, social contexts, and ideas that have shaped your experiences as conservative and liberal students.
Exploring Religious Diversity & Social Justice
- Instructors:
- A. Awad
- V. Jones, Jr.
This dialogue course introduces students to perspectives of religious diversity and social justice. We will explore the histories of Abrahamic faiths, socio-legal contexts, ideas, and special topics that have shaped movements toward faith and social justice.