CALL FOR COURSE PROPOSALS
Studies in Diversity and Global Cultures IV C: Studies in Racism and
Cultural Diversity in the United States
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 C: Studies in Racism and Cultural Diversity in the United
States. 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 Culture as:
Exploration of cultures and societies outside of the United States or of 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 Racism and Cultural Diversity in the United States subgroup. The
following is the description of the subgroup as it appears in the UP Basic Document Set.
Courses in this category will focus primarily on one or more of the major
groups which 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:
1. emphasize the contributions of the group(s) to U.S. society;
2. consider the roots, behavioral and institutional manifestations and
consequences of racism, discrimination and stereotyping; and
3. where appropriate, indicate the variation within the focus group.
Learning Outcomes
Students taking courses within the Studies in Racism and Cultural Diversity in the United
States subgroup will be expected to:
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Demonstrate an understanding of the causes of racism and how stereotyping helps
perpetuate racism and other forms of discrimination;
Demonstrate knowledge of the history of at least one group that has experienced racism
and invidious discrimination in the United States;
Discuss the contributions to US society of at least one group that has experienced
racism and how these contributions compare with or relate to the contributions made by
other groups;
Define and give examples of how past and present institutional racism and
discrimination advantage some people while disadvantaging others;
Where applicable to the course, discuss the similarities and differences of racism and
one other form of discrimination based on gender, ethnicity, and sexual orientation
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 C: Studies in Racism and Cultural Diversity in the United
States.
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 and 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 C Studies in Racism and Cultural Diversity in the United States content area:
a. The course focuses primarily on one or more of the major groups
which experience both racism and invidious discrimination in the
United States, but may also include issues of gender, ethnicity, and
sexual orientation.
b. The course emphasizes the contributions of the group(s) to U.S.
society;
c. The course considers the roots, behavioral and institutional
manifestations and consequences of racism, discrimination and
stereotyping; and
d. Where appropriate, the course indicates the variation within the focus
group.
3. Briefly show, with reference to the master course syllabus, how this course prepares
students to attain the following outcomes:
a. Demonstrate an understanding of the causes of racism and how stereotyping
helps perpetuate racism and other forms of discrimination;
b. Demonstrate knowledge of the history of at least one group that has experienced
racism and invidious discrimination in the United States;
c. Discuss the contributions to US society of at least one group that has
experienced racism and how these contributions compare with or relate to the
contributions made by other groups;
d. Define and give examples of how past and present institutional racism and
discrimination advantage some people while disadvantaging others;
e. Where applicable to the course, discuss the similarities and differences of racism
and one other form of discrimination based on gender, ethnicity, and sexual
orientation.
Material to be Submitted and Routing
To initiate a priority review to determine whether a course meets the criteria for inclusion in the
Studies in Racism and Cultural Diversity in the United States subgroup the following materials
must be received by the General Education Committee, Academic Senate Office, Ronan Hall,
Room 280 no later than 11.30.2013. 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.