| An Experiment in Civil Discourse on Racial Understanding for Effective Dialogic Learning at McLeod Regional Medical Center, Florence, SC, was designed to foster civil dialogue concerning individuals' racial understandings and experiences and the impact this has on one's ministry and individual learning. This project took place over the course of a Clinical Pastoral Education unit with five students enrolled in the Focus group. Students participated in 4 group didactic sessions, verbatim presentations, IPR seminars, reading, and wrote three cultural awareness papers- each having a focus on racial understanding and experience. Research methods included both a focus and a control group with quantitative and qualitative research and assessment. Interviews, surveys, questionnaires, and written reflections were utilized. The group members developed an increasing awareness of deeply rooted beliefs and assumptions and were able to engage in dialogue and maintain civility in this discourse. Through their burgeoning awareness, group members were able to value their cohort's experiences and to engage with one another with growing levels of appreciation and understanding and increasing levels of empathy and intimacy. |
