Studies in American Diversity Application Form – REVISION 5-2-2015
Name:
Course Number:
Course Title:
Department:
College:
Date submitted:
The semester when you first expect the course to be taught:
Studies in American Diversity
I. Description of Purpose and Content
As an embodiment of LMU’s mission and the university’s commitment to diversity, courses in
this area will provide students a foundation of critical knowledge and understanding for reflective
contemplation that informs, forms, and transforms them as women and men for others. Courses
in this area primarily focus on 1) investigating the complex historical, political, economic and
social context and connections contributing to society’s understanding and valuing of diversity;
2) comparing and contrasting the voices and perspectives of different underrepresented groups;
3) analyzing the ways that systems of power and privilege can marginalize and oppress
communities and groups in the U.S. and around the world; 4) challenging students to engage in
reflective and responsible action in a diverse and interconnected world; and 5) recognizing
diversity as a strength and valuing differing perspectives.
HOW DOES YOUR COURSE FIT THIS CATEGORY?
1. Please provide a course description and explain how your course fits the overall
purpose and content of this Core category. Include any learning objectives specific to
your course.
[BOX for text, limit 500 words]
2. Please provide a preliminary list of readings and/or textbooks for the course.
[BOX for text, limit 300 words]
3. Please describe possible assignments (or types of assignments) for your course. For
longer assignments, you may include an additional attachment(s).
[BOX for text, limit 500 words]
II. Learning Outcomes
HOW DOES YOUR COURSE ASSESS EACH LEARNING OUTCOME? How do you
measure whether and to what extent students have achieved the learning outcomes
below? Referring to the assignments your described in Part I, please explain for those
outside of your field how your course addresses each of this Core category’s learning
outcomes. (Please note that a single assignment may address multiple outcomes, and
that for learning outcomes asking that students “value” particular issues or concepts, the
course does not need to assess student opinion or belief but level of engagement with
that issue or concept.)
Students who complete this course will:
1. Identify and distinguish how systems of power and privilege affect marginalized and
oppressed communities
Studies in American Diversity Application Form – REVISION 5-2-2015
[BOX FOR EACH LEARNING OUTCOME, limit 300 words each]
2. Become familiar with theories, narratives, and methodologies covered in the course
materials and implement them to achieve a more nuanced understanding of the
complexities in our diverse contemporary society
[BOX FOR EACH LEARNING OUTCOME, limit 300 words each]
3. Compare the experiences of people from varied racial and ethnic groups within the U.S.
and the world and the experiences of people from at least two of the following categories
of difference: gender, sexuality, class, faith and religion, and differing abilities
[BOX FOR EACH LEARNING OUTCOME, limit 300 words each]
4. Critically assess difference and similarity in and among racial and ethnic minority groups
and at least two of the following categories of difference: gender, sexuality, class, faith
and religion, and differing abilities
[BOX FOR EACH LEARNING OUTCOME, limit 300 words each]
5. Understand, respect, and value the histories and contributions of marginalized groups
[BOX FOR EACH LEARNING OUTCOME, limit 300 words each]
III. Defining Characteristics
Courses in this area must:
1. Address the complexity of race and ethnicity in the U.S. context.
a. A combination of racial and ethnic diversity is required
b. The course must take a comparative approach to racial and ethnic groups’
experiences, with attention to similarities, differences, and intersections among
groups
c. Global comparative approaches are welcome, but the U.S. experience has to be
foregrounded in the course
2. Integrate at least two additional markers of diversity from the following: gender,
sexuality, class, faith and religion, and differing abilities
a. Integration of each marker must include assigned reading and class discussion
and be reflected in at least one graded, substantive assignment
HOW DOES YOUR COURSE MEET THESE REQUIREMENTS?
What do students do (e.g., solve, research, read, write, revise, practice, collaborate,
review, study, perform) and what do you provide as an instructor (e.g., in-class
instruction, written feedback, reading/viewing assignments) to address the
characteristics above (you may use the numbers above to refer to specific
characteristics)? You may refer to assignments or readings listed in Part I. Note that a
single assignment or form of instruction (e.g., lecture, discussion, group work) may meet
multiple requirements.
[BOX for text, limit 500 words]
To submit your proposal, you should:
Studies in American Diversity Application Form – REVISION 5-2-2015
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Send the proposal electronically to newcore@lmu.edu
CC your chair and Dean on the proposal. Your chair and dean can approve your
proposal by sending an e-mail message stating approval to newcore@lmu.edu.
Once we receive your chair's and dean's approval, your course proposal will be
reviewed by the appropriate core area committee of the UCCC. No proposal will be
reviewed by a core area committee without both your chair's and dean's approval.
The core area committee may approve the proposal, request revisions (this is very
common), or reject the proposal. Rejections may be appealed to the full UCCC.
Once the course is approved, you will receive word from the UCCC, who will copy your
chair and dean.