CALL FOR COURSE PROPOSALS
Studies in Diversity and Global Cultures IV B: Studies in Global Cultures
Introduction
The General Education Committee at Central Michigan University is seeking curricular
proposals for courses that meet the requirements for inclusion in the University Program Studies
in Diversity and Global Cultures IV B: Studies in Global Cultures. The goal is to repopulate the
area with courses that meet the criteria specified in The University Program: A Basic Document
Set. The University Program Basic Document Set uses the following description to define the
Studies in Diversity and Global Cultures as:
Exploration of cultures and societies outside of the United States or the history
and continuing effects of racism and other forms of discrimination for groups
within the United States.
The General Education Committee is specifically seeking proposals that meet criteria for
inclusion in the Studies in Global Cultures subgroup. The following is the description of the
Studies in Global Cultures subgroup as it appears in the UP Basic Document Set.
These studies involve holistic exploration of significant geographical, cultural,
or political units outside of the Anglo-American cultural tradition. The courses
may be based in more traditional academic disciplines, and may require the
student to become familiar with specific disciplinary methodologies; but their
major goal should be to acquaint students with the fundamental and
distinctive characteristics of the unit (s) under examination. Alternatively this
subgroup may be satisfied by taking a course in foreign language which
includes cultural study.
A course in global cultures explicitly includes but is not limited to a search for
that which makes the unit or units under consideration a unity, i.e., the
fundamental considerations linking those found within a geographical,
political or cultural boundary and differentiating them from others outside that
boundary.
Learning Outcomes
Students taking courses within the Studies in Global Cultures subgroup will be expected
to:
 Describe the common features of a particular geographical, cultural, or political unit as
well as the diversity within that unit;
 Define, discuss, and illustrate the cultural values (social, political, religious, economic,
etc.) or systems of values of the geographic, cultural, or political unit(s) under study;
 Illustrate and discuss common perceptions and attitudes, including biases and
stereotypes, concerning the particular geographical, cultural, or political unit(s) in
question;
 Demonstrate how, with respect to a given geographical, cultural, or political unit, the past
relates to the present (e.g. the French Revolution and contemporary French society) and
the part to the whole (France and la francophonie);
 Describe and illustrate the contributions (e.g. religious, artistic, scientific, etc.) of the
geographical, cultural, or political unit(s) under study to the world at large and/or to
American culture in particular;


Give evidence of an understanding of a cultural tradition other than one’s own.
For foreign languages, communicate and comprehend effectively in the target language
at the level appropriate for the particular course.
The next page contains specific requirements that should prove helpful in developing a
proposal. Additional information can be obtained by contacting George Ronan, Director of
General Education (phone: 989.774.7217; e-mail: ronan1gf@cmich.edu) or the Chair of the
General Education Committee.
Specific Requirements
The master course syllabus must list the subgroup name along with the numerical designator in
the course description. For example, at the end of the course description the following would
appear University Program Group IV B: Studies in Global Cultures.
A cover letter should address the following:
1. Briefly explain how this course meets the general goals for UP courses in the
Studies in Diversity and Global Cultures: These studies involve an exploration
of cultures and societies outside of the United States or of the history and
continuing effects of racism for groups within the United States.
2. Briefly explain how this course complies with each of the following University Program
Group IV B: Studies in Global Cultures content area:
a. The course involves a holistic exploration of significant geographical, cultural, or
political units outside of the Anglo-American cultural tradition.
b. The courses may be based in more traditional academic disciplines, and
may require the student to become familiar with specific disciplinary
methodologies; but their major goal should be to acquaint students with
the fundamental and distinctive characteristics of the unit (s) under
examination.
c. Alternatively this subgroup may be satisfied by taking a course in foreign
language which includes cultural study.
d. The course explicitly includes but is not limited to a search for that which
makes the unit or units under consideration a unity, i.e., the fundamental
considerations linking those found within a geographical, political or
cultural boundary and differentiating them from others outside that
boundary.
3. Briefly show, with reference to the master course syllabus, how this course prepares
students to attain the following outcomes:
a. Describe the common features of a particular geographical, cultural, or political
unit as well as the diversity within that unit;
b. Define, discuss, and illustrate the cultural values (social, political, religious,
economic, etc.) or systems of values of the geographic, cultural, or political
unit(s) under study;
c. Illustrate and discuss common perceptions and attitudes, including biases and
stereotypes, concerning the particular geographical, cultural, or political unit(s) in
question;
d. Demonstrate how, with respect to a given geographical, cultural, or political unit,
the past relates to the present (e.g. the French Revolution and contemporary
French society) and the part to the whole (France and la francophonie);
e. Describe and illustrate the contributions (e.g. religious, artistic, scientific, etc.) of
the geographical, cultural, or political unit(s) under study to the world at large
and/or to American culture in particular;
f. Give evidence of an understanding of a cultural tradition other than one’s own.
g. For foreign languages, communicate and comprehend effectively in the target
language at the level appropriate for the particular course.
Material to be Submitted and Routing
To initiate a priority review of whether a course meets the criteria for inclusion in the Studies in
Global Cultures subgroup, submit the following materials to the General Education Committee,
Academic Senate Office, Ronan Hall, Room 280 no later than 09.30.2013. Submissions
received after that date will be reviewed by the General Education Committee as time allows.
1. A rationale detailing how the course meets the outlined focus and requirements.
2. A copy of the master course syllabus that was approved by the relevant college
curricular committee.