The Program

Although the Engaged Pluralism tools are interconnected and have similar goals, they are distinct in their pedagogy and application.

For example, intergroup dialogue is a theory and practice that focuses on developing intergroup relationships that examine and account for differential power and hierarchy with the goal of being able to have authentic and difficult conversations across differences. 

• Intergroup dialogue can enable groups to weather conflict because of the deep relationships built among participants over time during the process.
• In contrast, restorative practices are specifically designed to help with repairing relationships after a rupture, or conflict, occurs. Restorative practices are methodologies used to respond to breaches in relationships between individuals and groups and focus on “restoration” as the process of repair, healing, accountability and interdependence.
• Storytelling, which is the third tool, allows for members of the community to share their lives in open dialogue across their differences, underscoring that humans are interdependent and that stories are an important way to connect and to bridge silos between people and groups. We have partnered with a local nonprofit organization, TMI, to lead us through several storytelling workshops.
• The fourth tool is inclusive pedagogies, which are a set of practices that seek to promote equity in the classroom and in learning spaces at the college. EP helps to support faculty, administrators, staff and students who may wish to engage with all the tools or may find one tool better suited to their needs.