Graduate students interested in studying race and racism within educational contexts can now sign up for a new minor at the IU School of Education.

The doctoral minor is inter-departmental, involving faculty and course options from across the School of Education, and is open to doctoral students from across IU, not just School of Education students.

Minor co-coordinator Tom Nelson Laird said in the wake of several racially motivated, unjust events, Sarah Lubienski, Associate Dean of Graduate Studies, brought together a group of faculty and administrators from across the school to consider things the School of Education might do to better address social justice issues, particularly race and racism in the graduate curriculum. After considering several options, the task force determined that a school-wide minor focusing on race and racism was a good step forward that could be accomplished in a relatively timely way.

“We have many wonderful scholars in our school who study race, but they do not typically work together across departmental lines. I am excited about this minor because it can be an impetus for faculty and students from across the school to share their expertise and foster a sense of community. We also hope to attract doctoral students from across campus who have an interest in studying race within various educational contexts,” Lubienski said.

Dave Shriberg, co-coordinator of the minor, said racism is endemic in U.S. society, including all fields represented in the School of Education.

“In my opinion every program in the School of Education should be taking a critical view of how racism impacts their field and what structures are being put in place for their program to be a force for anti-racism. It is also important that the college as a whole has mechanisms to support students and develop their capacities to be anti-racists, including mechanisms for students to have more intensive coursework. We hope that this minor is one helpful component of this broader responsibility.”

As prospective students declare the minor, Nelson Laird added he hopes the minor will enhance their studies, improve their dissertations and assist them as they seek to make the organizations and communities where they work and live more racially just.

“Doing anti-racism work is really important, but also quite challenging, to put it mildly. People push back when you challenge the status quo. To be successful takes community and support,” Shriberg added. “Given the interdisciplinary nature of these classes, in addition to the great course content, we hope that students in this minor benefit from meeting and connecting with students and faculty in other program areas who share their commitment to anti-racism.”