Culture, diversity, and GUR reform at Western Washington University
Research Mentor(s)
Fortney, James
Description
Western aims to foster a diverse environment in which all students, staff and faculty can find and build a safe community. We propose the creation of a Cultural Awakening GUR Strand (CAGS) that aims to recognize diverse identities that are on campus by intertwining traditional Western students with international students in a cohort that completes English 101, Seminar 101, Sociology 269 and Communication 101 together over the course of an academic year. The CAGS is designed to inculcate a deeply self-aware and critical perspective in students. Using intergroup dialogue as a communicative framework, the courses will include readings, individual and group projects and documentaries which emphasize themes of diversity, identity, social justice, whiteness, privilege and cross-cultural communication. Taken together, this sequence of courses offers offers an attractive way for students to expand their awareness of the diverse cultures that are a part of Western's community while taking GURs that help them earn their degree. By introducing this diversity initiative, Western will join a growing national movement that is rooted in critical self-reflection, cross-cultural awareness and communication and a deep desire to create a more just society by embedding all students in a meaningful conversation about diversity.
Document Type
Event
Start Date
15-5-2015 10:00 AM
End Date
15-5-2015 2:00 PM
Department
Communication Studies
Genre/Form
student projects; posters
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Cultural pluralism--United States; Multicultural education--United States; Universities and colleges--United States
Type
Image
Rights
Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this documentation for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author's written permission.
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Culture, diversity, and GUR reform at Western Washington University
Western aims to foster a diverse environment in which all students, staff and faculty can find and build a safe community. We propose the creation of a Cultural Awakening GUR Strand (CAGS) that aims to recognize diverse identities that are on campus by intertwining traditional Western students with international students in a cohort that completes English 101, Seminar 101, Sociology 269 and Communication 101 together over the course of an academic year. The CAGS is designed to inculcate a deeply self-aware and critical perspective in students. Using intergroup dialogue as a communicative framework, the courses will include readings, individual and group projects and documentaries which emphasize themes of diversity, identity, social justice, whiteness, privilege and cross-cultural communication. Taken together, this sequence of courses offers offers an attractive way for students to expand their awareness of the diverse cultures that are a part of Western's community while taking GURs that help them earn their degree. By introducing this diversity initiative, Western will join a growing national movement that is rooted in critical self-reflection, cross-cultural awareness and communication and a deep desire to create a more just society by embedding all students in a meaningful conversation about diversity.