CHILLICOTHE, Ohio (May 7, 2007) -- Members of the Ohio University-Chillicothe community have the opportunity to discuss diversity-related topics during a lunchtime series this spring. The Diversity Lunch Series sessions are held each Thursday at noon in Bennett Hall room 110 and will continue through May 24. The second session is Thursday, May 3. Lunch is provided, and the full campus community is invited.
The sessions are led by students in Communication Studies 410, "Intercultural and Cross-cultural Communication."
"This series offers an opportunity for members of the campus community to become engaged in a healthy discussion of diversity topics and to share and learn from one another's insights," said Associate Professor of Communication Lisa Wallace, who teaches the class. "These are dialogues, and we encourage input and participation from those in attendance."
Groups of students in the class lead the discussions, which are based on topics the students are developing for research papers.
"Having an opportunity to engage in discussion of these topics brings the issues to life and allows the students to gain a deeper understanding of the subject matter," Wallace said. "An interesting aspect of the series is the utilization of peer education with the student-to-student approach. When students learn from each other it is most effective. In contrast to classroom learning led by faculty members, the Diversity Lunch Series offers the chance for students to take the lead role in their learning through intellectual discourse with their peers."
Topics being discussed this quarter are:
- April 26. Power of language and free speech issues
- May 3. Generational differences
- May 10. Appalachian culture
- May 17. Sexual orientation/gender issues
- May 24. Support/lack of support for diversity on campus
