LRU 383: Exploring Race in America

Dr. Summer Carrol
Associate Professor of Education

Dr. Taylor Newton
Associate Professor of Psychology

Dr. Veronica McComb
Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Bryant University
Former Associate Professor of History at Lenoir-Rhyne University
Leads us through the historical context of racism in the United States.

Dr. Scott Schaefer
Associate Professor of Biology
Explores race and ancestry from a biological perspective that includes human origins and genetics.

Dr. Shameika Stokes
Assistant Professor of Human Services
Introduces an understanding of racism that is institutional, systemic, and pervasive in our society.

Prof. Michele Hewitt
Adjunct Professor of Psychology
Guides us toward understanding bias in the minds of individuals, including prejudicial beliefs, behaviors, and emotions.

Dr. Tunay Oguz
Associate Professor of Economics
Analyzes systemic racism in economic policy from historical redlining to modern tax structures that codify inequality.

Dr. Leslie McKesson
Adjunct Professor of Leadership Studies
Former Dean at Western Piedmont Community College
Discusses ways of moving toward educational equity for individuals and communities of color.

Dr. Kim Price
Associate Professor of Public Health
Parses inequity in the healthcare system, including issues of access and diversity.

Dr. Janelle Carter-Robinson
Assistant Professor of Counseling
Provides an overview of inequities in the mental health system, including stigma in treatment and the impact of race and racism on mental health.

Dr. Shahin Tasharrofi
Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice
Discusses the influence of race on the criminal justice system process and outcomes.

Dr. Ryan Luhrs
Associate Professor of Music
Director of Choral Activities
Reflects on issues of representation and appropriation in the arts and will explore the role of music in protest.

Rev. Dr. Kermit Moss
Professor of Theology
Unpacks diversity across religious traditions as well as the intersection of theology with diversity, equity, and inclusion concerns.

Prof. Laura Hope-Gill
Assistant Professor of Writing
Director of the Thomas Wolfe Center for Narrative
Teaches us about storytelling as a tool to engage with the complexity of race and racism.