Creating Spaces for Open, Respectful Dialogue in Difficult Conversations • by Carl Coulanges (Assistant Professor of TV/Radio, Ammerman)

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Professor Coulanges knows that conversations about diversity and representation can be difficult, but he strongly encourages the creation of more safe spaces where faculty and students can engage in open yet respectful dialogue, such as with the course he recently co-taught called Gender and Race in Communication. Offered in spring 2021 alongside Dr. Danna Prather Davis of the communication department, Professor Coulanges explains in his video why his biggest takeaway was about how much he learned from that class. 

Students need voice to express their opinions on issues like race and gender, Professor Coulanges says; they need more spaces that can serve as a "no judgment zone." Only with such openness and honesty can we manage such difficult conversations. In his video, Professor Coulanges also discusses the media-culture conversations that arise in his Issues in Broadcasting course as well.