Culture, diversity, and GUR reform at Western Washington University

Co-Author(s)

Harpel, Jeremiah; McCoy, William

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

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May 15th, 10:00 AM May 15th, 2:00 PM

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.