Students who are interested in discussing cultures, ethnicities and race at Iowa State now have the option of taking an experimental course called “Dialogues on Diversity.”

The course is being offered as a one-credit, midterm class open to all majors and classifications.

Carlie Tartakov, assistant professor of curriculum and instruction in the College of Education, will be one of 20 instructors to facilitate the class and encourage dialogue among students.

“Our goal is to provide background on diversity and begin discussion on these issues,” Tartakov said. “Classes will explore diversity through expanding understanding of human relations.”

The course was originally designed in 1994 by Suzanne Hendrich, associate dean for undergraduate programs and educational technology in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences.

Taking Hendrich’s lead, Tartakov, among other student and faculty members, recently revised the course with the intentions of providing a forum for students to talk about issues in a safe atmosphere.

Tartakov said the course will cover a variety of topics, including building a community, becoming an ally, developing a racial/ethnic identity, enhancing multicultural awareness and becoming an agent of change for diversity.

“Aside from the discussions, we will have journal entries and readings along with case studies and simulation videos to motivate the students,” she said.

Tartakov said four different people, chosen from faculty, staff and students, will be facilitating the class in each of the five sections.

“These facilitators are from different disciplines and backgrounds throughout the university,” she said. “We wanted to reflect the diversity of the students and be a model for them during discussion.”

Classes begin the second half of semester and run for eight weeks. Students will meet in groups one day a week for two hours starting Oct. 8.

Sections are Monday, 1:10 p.m. to 3 p.m. and 3:10 p.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesday, 1:10 p.m. to 3 p.m. and 3:10 p.m. to 5 p.m.; and Wednesday, 1:10 p.m. to 3 p.m.

The course, officially titled University Studies 150X, is not listed in the current class catalog, but students can register at Alumni Hall.