Library Guides: Dialogue Resources: What Is Dialogue?

What Is Dialogue?

Dialogue is a communicative process in which people with different perspectives seek understanding. Participants in dialogue need not adopt each other's views, nor must their interaction result in agreement. Rather, mutual understanding is their primary goal. This definition of dialogue has been adopted by the Dialogue Zone at the University of Dayton, and this guide provides access to resources that explore various models of dialogue across different disciplines and fields of study. If you wish to recommend additional resources for this guide, please contact Ione Damasco at idamasco1@udayton.edu.

Special thanks to Dr. Jason Combs, Dialogue Zone Coordinator at the University of Dayton, for his content recommendations for this guide.

The Context for Dialogue at the University of Dayton

University of Dayton Mission and Identity
"...We are committed to a Catholic vision of learning and scholarship including:
a common search for truth based on the belief that truth is ultimately one and can be more fully known through both faith and reason;
a commitment to the dignity of the human person as a creative and social being created in the image and likeness of God; and
an appreciation for the ways creation, people, communities, and the ordinary things in life manifest, in a sacramental manner, the mystery of God.

A Catholic vision of the intellectual life springs ultimately from the revelation of God in Jesus Christ. The Incarnation obliges and frees Christians to continue uniting the human and the divine, to integrate learning and scholarship, to explore the implications of the Gospel for all of human culture while honoring academic freedom. The University, as Catholic, carries out its mission in communion with the Church, the believing community in and through which revelation is received, lived, and handed on. The relations between the University and the Church are marked by mutual trust, close and consistent collaboration, and open dialogue. The University, as Catholic, also relies on the presence and work of people from other religious traditions, indeed, all people of good will, in discovering what is true, cherishing what is good, and enjoying what is beautiful."
Sharing A Common Purpose by UD President Eric F. Spina
"The complex, often polarizing issues of our day can divide us if we don't do the hard work of cultivating respect for each other and listening — intently listening — to diverse points of view. Even on our campus, where we pride ourselves on our sense of community, we must be vigilant against hate.

Let's commit ourselves to encouraging respectful dialogue, rejecting hate speech, and building community. We can model the difference we want to see in the world. We can be a beacon."

Dialogue Resources at UD

The Dialogue Zone at the University of Dayton
Located in Roesch Library, the Dialogue Zone is an inter- and trans-disciplinary curricular and co-curricular initiative that brings together faculty, staff, students and community members in a common space, to engage in research, learning, and practice focused on facilitated dialogue as a primary method for understanding different social and cultural perspectives.
University of Dayton CAP Diversity and Social Justice Resources
As a Marianist university, the University has a special concern for the poor and marginalized and a responsibility to promote the dignity, rights and responsibilities of all persons and peoples. The University curriculum is responsible for contributing to this effort and does so throughout the Common Academic Program, but in a more focused way through a Diversity and Social Justice component. Every student will investigate human diversity issues within a sustained academic context by taking at least three credit hours of course work that have a central focus on one or more dimensions of diversity that are relevant to social justice. The course must have a central focus on one or more dimensions of human diversity on the basis of which systems, institutions, or practices that obstruct social justice have functioned. The dimensions may include, but are not limited to, race, gender, socioeconomic class, and sexual orientation. Courses may address diversity within the United States, in a global context, or both. Since the course uses a social justice framework, it will consider constructive responses to such injustice.
Breaking Bread
Breaking Bread brings together Flyers of different cultures, languages, and beliefs to connect, share conversations, and learn from each other over delicious home-cooked meals. Join us to expand your global perspective and strengthen our diverse Flyer Family.
MEC Workshops: Partners in the Classroom
MEC Workshops: Partners in the Classroom provides faculty the opportunity to invite MEC (Multi-Ethnic Education and Engagement Center) staff and other partners into the classroom to present on a variety of diversity and leadership topics. The workshops are designed to assist students in increasing their cultural knowledge of themselves and others and/or introduces principles for engaging in critical dialogue.
Civil Dialogue in Uncivil Times
Video of a panel discussion held in October 2018, sponsored by the University of Dayton Department of Communication.