"Pursuing Racial Justice at the University of Iowa" is a College of Liberal Arts and Sciences "theme year" initiative for 2020-21. Through cross-disciplinary lenses, CLAS faculty, students, and staff—often in collaboration with other UI colleges and units, and outside experts—are grappling with critical questions about race and justice. We invite the community to consider how the UI's history as a predominantly white institution has shaped the university and CLAS; the knowledge we produce and convey to students; the interactions among our community members; and the relationship of the university to Iowa City and the state of Iowa.
These events focus primarily on race, but will be intersectional in their explorations. The goal of each event is to invite members of the CLAS community to engage with the issues, reflect upon what they have learned, and consider personal and institutional actions we might take in response.
See completed Theme Year events and related resources
See Campus DEI Calendar
November: UI Athletics and Race
Friday, November 6, 2020 6:30-8:00
Zoom link TBA
- American Studies
- Health and Human Physiology | Sport and Recreation Management
- Journalism and Mass Communication
Chair: Tom Oates, Associate Professor, American Studies; Journalism and Mass Communication
December/January: Health Disparities and Racial Justice
Dates and Sessions TBD
- Anthropology
- Geographical and Sustainability Sciences
- Global Health Studies Program
Chair: Sokhieng Au, Interim Director, Global Health Studies Program
February: UI Arts and Race
Dates and Sessions TBD
- Art & Art History
- Anthropology [Museum Studies]
- Division of Performing Arts
- Dance
- Music
- Theater
Chair: Alan MacVey, Professor, Theatre Arts; Director, Division of Performing Arts
March: UI Sciences and Race
Dates and Sessions TBD
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Earth and Environmental Sciences
- Mathematics
- Physics and Astronomy
- Psychological and Brain Sciences
Chair: Tori Forbes, Associate Professor, Chemistry
April: Media Representations and Race
Dates and Sessions TBD
- African American Studies
- Cinematic Arts
- Communication Studies
- English
- Journalism and Mass Communication
Chair: David Ryfe, Professor and Director, Journalism and Mass Communication