Courses Designed to Meet General Education Requirements

Identity/US Cultures Studies

Syllabus -- Diversity in the United States:
Moral and Civic Competencies for 21st Century Democracy
FORT HAYS STATE UNIVERSITY

Course Description

The focus of this course will be to link knowledge about diversity and the benefits and problems of cultural pluralism in the U.S. to an awareness of civic responsibilities. To that end, the course will have a threefold purpose:

1) to analyze the influence of U.S. culture and social environment on people's attitudes and behaviors, especially prejudice and discrimination;

2) to analyze U.S. democracy and the ideals which have served to help unify our culture and the historical and contemporary relationships among selected minority groups; and

3) to offer students opportunities to think critically and to practice and understand the role a nd importance of civic competencies through active participation in discussion of literature, films, simulation games and writing groups.

Objectives

The objectives of the course include the following:

1) to define culture and to explain the influence of culture on human attitudes and behaviors;

2) to explain the U.S. traditions of democracy and active citizenship;

3) to explain in descriptive terms the nature, history and demographics of U.S. society based on race, ethni city, sexual orientation, gender and class differences;

4) to familiarize students with group memberships, intergroup relations, and the dynamics of prejudice and discrimination;

5) to review theories of power as explanations of U.S. social strati fication;

6) to explore the relationship between civic competencies and domestic issues based on gender, race, class, ethnicity and nationality;

7) to engage students in examining critically instances of backlash and reverse discrimination that hi nder equality and social justice;

8) to encourage students to reflect on their ethnic heritage and hardships that their ancestors may have faced as minorities in the U.S.;

9) to encourage in students lifelong habits of learning which will allow them to acquire a better understanding of themselves and their world.

Competencies

Upon completion of the course, students should be able to do the following:

1) demonstrate an ability to describe the nature and demographics of current U.S. society based on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender and class differences;

2) demonstrate an understanding of culture and democracy in the U.S.;

3) demonstrate an awareness of the individual and institutional dynamics of unequal power relations between groups in contemporary society;

4) interpret contemporary human relations involving people of diverse backgrounds and orientations within an historical perspective;

5) provide examples of the origins and perpetuation of prejudice and discrimination that has been directed toward people of diverse backgrounds and orientations;

6) analyze their own attitudes, behaviors, and beliefs regarding diversity, racism, and bigotry, and in so doing, improve self-awareness;

7) demonstrate analytical skills and problem-solving abilities while acquiring an understanding of the diversity of American culture;

8) define and exercise various moral and civic competencies essential to the functioning of democracy in a culturally diverse society.