University
of Washington
Department
of Geography
SOCIAL DIVERSITY
IN THE GEOGRAPHY CURRICULUM
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to home page)
For 19 April 2001:
1. Do a web-based survey of a dozen "peer" Geography departments
in the US and Canada, to determine:
-
how that University conceives of "diversity"
-
what University curricular resources are devoted to learning about the
nature of social diversity, and the ways in which the creation and presence
of social diversity affects everday life
-
what Geography Department resources or initiatives exist
-
key contact people in the University and in the Geography department
You might also look at the Undergraduate College or College of Arts and
Sciences in these places, in case that's the locus of activity.
2. Attend the Thursday 19 April session of Geography
495C, during which Professor Harrington will ask the panel of professional
geographers "What could or should happen in colleges in order for students
to understand issues relating to a socially diverse workplace and client
base?"
For 26 April 2001:
1. Develop a personal statement of the ways in which your college
experience has led to development of your abilities to understand and respect
the differences among people, and to engage in dialogue in which you try
to understand the reasons for diverging perspectives. What specific
things assisted this sort of development: courses (of what sorts,
in what sorts of departments)? social activities? extracurricular,
campus-related activities? Extrapolating from your experience, are
there key cuuricular components to look for in Geography and across the
University? Is it possible that the emphasis on curriculum is misplaced?
2. Develop a short, written report on last week's WWW-based findings,
focusing on curriculum.
For 3 May 2001:
1. Cale will investigate the Penn State site more thoroughly
to determine whether and how it has implemented the Faculty Senate resolution
concerning a Cultural
Diversity and International Competence Requirement. Sai will
inquire into other universities' attempts to mandate courses in diversity.
2. Cale and Sai will attend Geography 493 on 3 May, which will
feature another alumni panel (from the private and non-profit sectors).
3. Each intern will develop a statement, built in part on this
week's writing, that (a) makes explicit the goal of these exercises (Why
do we want to develop or highlight a curriculum on diversity?), and (b)
characterizes and categorizes the nature of experiences that have moved
them on individually (or that they feel have moved other students) toward
this goal. These experiences can be:
-
content components of courses
-
other (pedagogical, interactional, experiential) aspects of courses
-
outside of courses
For 10 May 2001:
Meet individually with key faculty and staff in Geography, to share
the statements developed for 3 May (see 3 above), get feedback, and then
ask what experiences (along these lines) are afforded in Geography courses
(content-based and experience-based) and in the Department outside of courses.