“A racially and ethnically diverse university student body has far-ranging and significant benefits for all students, non-minorities and minorities alike.” Gurin, P. 1999, Expert Report of Patricia Gurin: Summary and Conclusions, Regents of the University of Michigan, Michigan. link
A course in MIT’s program in Foreign Languages and Literatures, Communicating Across Cultures, focuses specifically on the ways in which cultural values, beliefs, and norms impact the communication practices of people from around the world. Students from many backgrounds typically take the course, so that it become a living laboratory for observing, talking about, and practicing cross-cultural communication skills. Assignments ask students to reflect on how their ethnic roots have influenced their worldviews, and thus, their communication styles. Students are assigned to diverse teams to work on a report and presentation throughout the semester.
Online Resources
Creating Inclusive College Classrooms. Shari Saunders & Diana Kardia. University of Michigan. link
Creating a Culturally Inclusive Classroom Environment, Griffith University. link
Diversity Can Benefit Teamwork in STEM, Jennifer Weaver, Berkeley. link
Kellie Carter Jackson, a Harvard College Fellow, created the game “Name Five” for her African and African American studies class. The point of this activity was to show how marginalised people often have to struggle for inclusion, for a voice, and for a seat at the table. link
