The Office of Intercultural Education offers a range of events and programs to engage and educate students.
Intercultural Education
The Inclusion Initiative
The purpose of the Inclusion Initiative is to promote peer-led cross-cultural conversations within the Wellesley College community around issues of identity. Each year, the program will train a cohort of paid peer facilitators to lead 90-minute workshops on topics such as oppression and privilege, racism, socioeconomic class, gender, sexual orientation, immigration, disability/ability awareness among others.
The Inclusion Initiative Modules
MODULE 1: PRIVILEGE, OPPRESSION, AND IDENTITIES
As a result of this module, participants will be able to articulate aspects of power/privilege in society and their lives, identify the four I’s of oppression, and utilize that oppression model to understand dynamics within Wellesley College.
Schedule a workshop for module 1.
MODULE 2: RACISM AND MICROGRESSIONS
As a result of this module, participants will have a better understanding of how covert and overt racism infiltrates our communities, how respond to racial microaggressions, and how to combat racial oppression in your communities
Schedule a workshop for module 2.
MODULE 3: EXPLORING CLASS AND CLASSISM
As a result of this module, participants will be able to become more conscious of the strengths and limitations of one’s own class background, understand the definitions of class and classism, gain more awareness of class differences and their impacts, and better understand the power and resilience in people who are poor.
Schedule a workshop for module 3.
MODULE 4: GENDER IDENTITIES AND SEXUAL ORIENTATION
As a result of this module, participants will be able to articulate the differences in definitions of sex, gender, gender identity, and sexual orientation, develop awareness of privileges and oppressions relating to gender and sexual orientation, and locate this conversation in the context of Wellesley.
Schedule a workshop for module 4.
MODULE 5: BECOMING BETTER ALLIES
As a result of this module, participants will be able to define the differences between different levels of allyship, recognize the differences between performative allyship and true allyship, practice authentic allyship in scenarios, and articulate actionable steps to become better allies.
Schedule a workshop for module 5.
MODULE 6: IMPLICIT BIAS
As a result of this module, participants will be able to deepen understanding of what implicit bias is, develop awareness about first messages we received about race, religion, socio-economic background, and gender, increase awareness of the impact of bias behaviors in interpersonal relations and practice strategies for countering implicit bias.
Schedule a workshop for module 6.
MODULE 7: OPPRESSION AND PRIVILEGE IN STEM
As a result of this module, participants will be more aware of how privilege exists within STEM at Wellesley, be able to apply intervention strategies during microaggressions, and identify ways that they can address oppression in STEM at Wellesley.
Let Me Speak
Let Me Speak is an honest, monologue performance presented during orientation on issues of diversity and inclusion for first year students! Our monologues touch on topics such as socioeconomic status, race, age, learning disabilities, sexual orientation, gender identity, mental health and other identities that shape us all.
The performers want to set the tone for entering Wellesley students by sharing their stories in an environment where you can comfortably and respectfully learn about our diverse identities without worrying about asking the wrong questions.
EQUIP
EQUIP (Equity, Identity, and Inclusive Pedagogy) is a hybrid learning training program that utilizes frameworks, knowledge, and practical application to help incoming students expand and excel in their skills and competencies in areas such as attending to judgment, humility, and curiosity. It encompasses a series of comprehensive modules covering a range of topics that include, but are not limited to, overviews of unconscious bias, microaggressions, racial inequity, and religion.
21 Days Against Racism
The purpose of the 21 Days Against Racism Challenge is to provide you with the tools to learn and engage in the fight against racism in your various spheres of influence. You will receive daily emails with various print and online resources about the topic for the day. These resources will take up to 15 minutes. The Challenge will take place over a 21-weekday period. This Challenge targets those at the beginner and intermediate levels of anti-racism work; however, anyone interested and committed is welcome to participate. If you are interested, please email oice@wellesley.edu.
Building Intercultural Competence: An Introduction (EXT100H-01)
This seminar is the beginning, or a continuation, of a lifelong journey. You will learn about yourself and other students in the class and interacting with people in the U.S. and other parts of the world. Classes will consist of a presentation of theories or ideas and group discussion and exercises to put these theories into practice in real-life applications and situations. Self-reflection, experiential learning, and active participation are integral to this process. Cross-cultural studies can be emotionally and intellectually challenging, but you will be expected to try new ideas, experiment with new behaviors, and learn from your fellow students. You can use the knowledge and skills from this course to enhance your interactions with others outside the classroom and in your daily life.
This course is offered every spring semester.