last modified:2008-12-03 12:53:17
Diversity (DV) Requirement Criteria
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Mission Statement - The Diversity requirement stands as an institutional commitment to develop and teach ways of thinking drawn from multiple histories and cultural heritages that shape the United States. Courses which fulfill this requirement are designed to explore the national society—its norms, laws, public policies and discourse—in the context of the rich and varied cultural diversity which has shaped it. The goal of this requirement is to extend cross-cultural understanding, perhaps replacing the impulse to stereotype, with better informed reasoning, understanding, and judgement skills. This, in turn, will open possibilities for meaningful communication across social boundaries and allow students to better consider ethical and social decisions from multiple perspectives. This requirement also signals to students that their distinctive traditions, opinions, and insights belong at the university.
The Diversity Requirement Committee has approved the following criteria for courses meeting the requirement:
1. The course has, as its central focus, the culture, history and/or current circumstances of one or more non-dominant groups in the United States.
2. The course focuses on topics of diversity within the complex system of U.S. society.
3. The course focuses on a group which faces unique challenges in relating to U.S. society as a whole, including such topics as acculturation, stereotypes, bigotry, inequitable treatment, etc.
4. The course defines, analyzes, and challenges social structures which cause problems for groups in U.S. society.
5. The course applies concepts in diversity and/or multiculturalism specifically to training in a particular field of academic interest/study.
6. The course explores the dynamics of such social issues as social or ethnic discrimination (e.g., racism, sexism or cross-cultural interaction, etc.).
7. Methods of moving toward a more tolerant society are examined critically.
8. Experiences and relations of topic groups and their relations with U.S. society are used to assess the problems and benefits of a multicultural society.
9. The concept of diversity is explored and its definitions challenged, with students examining its application to their lives and to U.S. society.