The Intergroup Dialogue Program (IDP) at Occidental provides students with several unique opportunities to engage diverse democracy—personally critically, and constructively. Courses are designed to include a blend of social psychological readings, respectful dialogue, experiential activities, and reflective writing.

As a curricular initiative IDP seeks to enhance students’ knowledge, understanding, and awareness about diversity and social justice while nurturing the development of constructive intergroup relations and leadership skills. In short, IDP seeks to provide diverse students with educational experiences that prepare them to participate in and foster an inclusive society. 

1.  To raise one's awareness about commonalities and differences between social identity groups

2.  To promote alliance building between and within social identity groups

3.  To teach tools for constructive dialogue within and across social identities as a means of facilitating active, informed participation and policy in our diverse

democracy

4.  To raise awareness about one’s role(s) in promoting diversity and/or perpetuating discrimination by reflecting upon, understanding, and discussing

race/ethnicity

5.  To identify, discuss, and write about topics and issues found among diverse societies

6.  To promote the college's mission of equity and excellence through an educational program that focuses explicitly on intergroup knowledge about and mutual

respect for diverse individuals and their multiple social identities