Group IV: Studies in Culture and Diversity
Sub-Group IVC: Studies in Racism and Cultural Diversity in the United
States
Application for Credit Using Applied Experiences Coursework
The General Education Committee understands there are many unique benefits for
students engaging in at least three credits of coursework or an applied experience
(i.e. internship, practicum, service-learning project) with individuals or groups of
people who have faced and continue to experience racism within the United States.
In general, such applied coursework or experience will prepare students for
productive careers and responsible citizenship both in the United States and in a
globalizing world – preparation that is at the heart of the mission of Central
Michigan University. Students who complete this coursework or an applied
experience learn how racism, diversity and discrimination impacts individuals and
communities in the United States on a daily basis; are exposed to the ways in
which racism, diversity and discrimination can impact approaches used to solve
“real-world” problems; and can explore career options in and with diverse
communities upon graduation.
After completing an appropriate course or applied experience you must petition the
General Education Committee to obtain credit for Subgroup IV C: Studies in
Racism and Cultural Diversity in the Unites States. The application contains two
parts: a coversheet and answers to a set of questions appended below. The cover
sheet must provide the number of credits earned, the grade awarded, and the
faculty sponsor; in addition, it must indicate how the course or applied experience
meets the goals of Sub-Group IVC. The application must also explicitly answer the
questions listed at the end of this document. The complete application should be
sent electronically to the Office of the Academic Senate (acadsen@cmich.edu).
Questions regarding the application process can be addressed directly to the
Director of General Education (directorgened@cmich.edu). A useful suggestion
is that you take this application along with you and maintain a log or diary of the
ways in which you might reasonably answer the questions.
For more information on the benefits of doing Group IVC applied coursework or
experiences and engaging in the study of issues related to diversity and
discrimination, see the Office of Institutional Diversity website
(https://www.cmich.edu/office_provost/OID/Pages/default.aspx.
Questions
1. What did you read about the people you would be living and working with
before or during your experience? List and briefly summarize specific
readings.
2. Describe your living arrangements during this experience: did you live with
local residents, in a dorm or apartment with other people from your host
community, or with groups of students from CMU?
3. If your experience involved coursework or an applied experience in a
university setting, describe the contact it enabled you to have with members
of the host community. What similarities and/or differences did you notice
between your host university —its practices and perspectives—and, for
example, your experiences at Central Michigan University? ?
4. If your experience involved work in a business or other professional setting,
describe the contact it enabled you to have with members of the host
community. What similarities and/or differences did you notice between the
host workplace—its practices and perspectives—and any workplace setting
that you may have been familiar with before embarking on your applied
coursework?
5. What efforts did you make to interact informally with members of the host
community? Be specific and give examples. How frequently did you have
such contact with them?
6. If members of the host community spoke a language different from your
own, what efforts (if any) did you make to learn that language? Please
explain.
7. What efforts did you make to learn about and participate in the cultural l
traditions, practices and beliefs of your host community? Did you notice
any similarities or differences from the cultural practices of your own
community? Give some concrete examples.
8. Did you take part in and learn the significance of any local community
events, festivals, or holidays? If so, provide examples.
9. What cultural events such as concerts, theatrical performances, museum
visits, or walking tours did you attend or participate in? Be specific and give
examples.
10.Has your understanding of and appreciation for the culture (i.e. its traditions,
practices and beliefs) of your host community changed in any way as a result
of your experience? If yes, then specify how so? If not, specify why not?
11.Has your understanding of and appreciation for your own traditions,
practices and beliefs changed in any way as a result of your experience? If
yes, then specify how so? If not, specify why not?
12.Based on the totality of your experience, what do you consider to be the
benefits (or drawbacks) of living in a community different from your own,
and one that has and continues to face racism, for more than a few days and
as more than a tourist?
GROUP IV: STUDIES IN CULTURE AND DIVERSITY
SUBGROUP IV-C: STUDIES IN RACISM AND CULTURAL DIVERSITY IN THE UNITED
STATES
APPLICATION FOR CREDIT USING APPLIED EXPERIENCES COURSEWORK
This application must be completed and returned to the Academic Senate Office
(e-mail:acadsen@cmich.edu) if you wish to receive University Program approval
for your coursework, practicum, internship, or other applied experience program.
If you have any questions about this application, contact the Director of General
Education (directorgened@cmich.edu).
Name: __________________________________________ Student number:
_______________
Address:
__________________________________________________________________
____
Telephone: ________________________ Email address:
_______________________________
Name of internship, practicum or other applied coursework for which you are
seeking approval
__________________________________________________________________
___________
Inclusive dates of activity: ______________
Grade: ________
Credits awarded: _______
Faculty member who supervised your experience:
Signature: ____________________________________
Date:
______________________
Printed Name: _________________________________ Phone:
_____________________
E-mail address:
________________________________________________________________
Onsite Supervisor (if experience was an internship, practicum or service-learning
project):
Name: ______________________________________ Phone:
_____________________
E-mail Address:
________________________________________________________________
Please address the following items on pages that are double spaced,
typewritten, numbered, and attached to this document.
1. Describe fully and clearly the academic or other applied experience activities
that you participated in and how you were supervised. Attach a syllabus or similar
descriptive materials such as: supervisor’s reports, written work produced in
preparation for the experience, or written work completed during the applied
course.
2. Explain fully and clearly how your experience enabled you to meet
goals of Subgroup IV C: Studies in Racism and Cultural Diversity in the
United States. Courses in this category will focus primarily on one or
more of the major groups that experience both racism and invidious
discrimination in the United States, but may also include issues of
gender, ethnicity, and sexual orientation. Such courses will at least:
emphasize the contributions of the group(s) to U.S. society; consider the
roots, behavioral and institutional manifestations and consequences of
racism, discrimination and stereotyping; and where appropriate, indicate
the variation within the focus group.