Class Assignments that Promote Openness to Diversity among Undergraduates at Predominantly White Universities
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Published:
Feb 7, 2020
Keywords:
class assignments, diversity, SoTL, cultural competence
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Abstract
In this paper we provide two concrete examples of class assignments, developed by the authors, which challenge students to think more critically about themselves, their cultural values and beliefs, and the “invisible forces” that shape their perspectives. We include samples from students’ work and our reflections to demonstrate the types of outcomes instructors might see if they utilized similar assignments in their classes. We emphasize the importance of diversity-focused assignment for programs operating within the broader context of a predominantly White university and provide suggestions for expanding our assignments to promote cultural competence among students planning to work directly with families and children.
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Walls, J. K., & Weaver, J. M. (2020). Class Assignments that Promote Openness to Diversity among Undergraduates at Predominantly White Universities. Journal of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, 20(1). Retrieved from https://scholarworks.iu.edu/journals/index.php/josotl/article/view/25029
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controversies. Psychology Press.
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prejudice in diversity-infused core psychology classes. College Teaching, 58, 85-92. DOI: 10.1080/87567550903418560
Jayakumar, U. M. (2015). Why are all the black students still sitting together in the proverbial
college cafeteria? A look at research informing the figurative question being taken by the Supreme Court in Fisher. Los Angeles: Higher Education Research Institute, UCLA.
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diversity attitudes among undergraduates. Journal of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, 12(3), 142-164.
Larson, K. E., & Bradshaw, C. P. (2017). Cultural competence and social desirability among
practitioners: A systematic review of the literature. Children and Youth Services Review, 76, 100-111. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2017.02.034
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Street, San Francisco, CA 94104-1310.
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Powell, J., & Godsil, R. (2011). Implicit bias insights as preconditions to structural change.
Poverty and Race, 20 (5), 3-6.
Rogers, A., McRee, N., & Arntz, D. L. (2009). Using a college human sexuality course to
combat homophobia. Sex Education, 9(3), 211-225.
Sandell, E. J., & Tupy, S. J. (2015). Where cultural competency begins: Changes in
undergraduates’ intercultural competency. International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, 27, 364-381.
Seccombe, K. (2015). Exploring marriages and families (2nd Edition). Boston, MA: Pearson.
Small, M. F. (1998). Our babies, ourselves: How biology and culture shape the way we parent.
New York, NY: Anchor Books.
Sue, D. W., Torino, G. C., Capodilupo, C. M., Rivera, D. P., & Lin, A. I. (2009). How white
faculty perceive and react to difficult dialogues on race. The Counseling Psychologist, 37, 1090-1115.
Torres, V. 2009. The developmental dimensions of recognizing racist thoughts. Journal of
College Student Development, 50(5), 504-520.
Weaver, H., N. (1998). Teaching cultural competence. Journal of Teaching in Social Work, 17,
65-79, DOI: 10.1300/J067v17n01_06
Whitt, E. J., Edison, M. I., Pascarella, E. T., Terenzini, P. T., & Nora, A. (2001). Influences on
students' openness to diversity and challenge in the second and third years of college. The Journal of Higher Education, 72(2), 172-204.
design. Diversity and Democracy, 19 (1). Association of American Colleges & Universities. https://www.aacu.org/diversitydemocracy/2016/winter/bensimon
Davis, N. J. (1992). Teaching about inequality: Student resistance, paralysis, and rage. Teaching
Sociology, 232-238.
Eagan, K., Stolzenberg, E. B., Bates, A. K., Aragon, M. C., Suchard, M. R., & Rios-Aguilar, C.
(2015). The American freshman: National norms fall 2015. Los Angeles: Higher Education Research Institute, UCLA.
Gloria, A. M., Rieckmann, T. R., & Rush, J. D. (2000). Issues and recommendations for teaching
an ethnic/culture-based course. Teaching of Psychology, 27, 102-107. DOI: 10.1207/S15328023TOP2702_05
Gurin, P., Dey, E. L., Hurtado, S., & Gurin, G. (2002). Diversity in higher education: Theory and
impact on educational outcomes. Harvard Educational Review, 72(3), 330–366.
Harding, S. G. (Ed.). (2004). The feminist standpoint theory reader: Intellectual and political
controversies. Psychology Press.
Hussey, H. D., Fleck, B. K. B., & Warner, R. M. (2010). Reducing student
prejudice in diversity-infused core psychology classes. College Teaching, 58, 85-92. DOI: 10.1080/87567550903418560
Jayakumar, U. M. (2015). Why are all the black students still sitting together in the proverbial
college cafeteria? A look at research informing the figurative question being taken by the Supreme Court in Fisher. Los Angeles: Higher Education Research Institute, UCLA.
Lake, R., & Rittschof, K. (2012). Looking deeper than the gradebook: Assessing cultural
diversity attitudes among undergraduates. Journal of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, 12(3), 142-164.
Larson, K. E., & Bradshaw, C. P. (2017). Cultural competence and social desirability among
practitioners: A systematic review of the literature. Children and Youth Services Review, 76, 100-111. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2017.02.034
Mezirow, J. (1991). Transformative dimensions of adult learning. Jossey-Bass, 350 Sansome
Street, San Francisco, CA 94104-1310.
Mezirow, J. (1997). Transformative learning: Theory to practice. New directions for adult and
continuing education, 1997(74), 5-12. DOI: 10.1002/ace.7401
Powell, J., & Godsil, R. (2011). Implicit bias insights as preconditions to structural change.
Poverty and Race, 20 (5), 3-6.
Rogers, A., McRee, N., & Arntz, D. L. (2009). Using a college human sexuality course to
combat homophobia. Sex Education, 9(3), 211-225.
Sandell, E. J., & Tupy, S. J. (2015). Where cultural competency begins: Changes in
undergraduates’ intercultural competency. International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, 27, 364-381.
Seccombe, K. (2015). Exploring marriages and families (2nd Edition). Boston, MA: Pearson.
Small, M. F. (1998). Our babies, ourselves: How biology and culture shape the way we parent.
New York, NY: Anchor Books.
Sue, D. W., Torino, G. C., Capodilupo, C. M., Rivera, D. P., & Lin, A. I. (2009). How white
faculty perceive and react to difficult dialogues on race. The Counseling Psychologist, 37, 1090-1115.
Torres, V. 2009. The developmental dimensions of recognizing racist thoughts. Journal of
College Student Development, 50(5), 504-520.
Weaver, H., N. (1998). Teaching cultural competence. Journal of Teaching in Social Work, 17,
65-79, DOI: 10.1300/J067v17n01_06
Whitt, E. J., Edison, M. I., Pascarella, E. T., Terenzini, P. T., & Nora, A. (2001). Influences on
students' openness to diversity and challenge in the second and third years of college. The Journal of Higher Education, 72(2), 172-204.