Diversity Talk: LSA’s Race and Ethnicity Requirement Angela D. Dillard, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education, LSA

History of R&E The immediate origins of the LSA degree requirement are in the UCAR demands from 1987. The “radical alternative” to create one course required for all – UC299 on Race and Racism – was pushed by UCAR, the Baker-Mandela Center for Anti-Racist Education, Concerned Faculty, and Faculty Against Institutional Racism. Multiple proposals submitted to the LSA Faculty at successive meetings from 1989 to 1990. The LSA Faculty that vote that approved the Race or Ethnicity Requirement was held October 8, 1990. It was renamed Race and Ethnicity in 1995, which was the last time the requirement was reviewed.

Follow us: @reumhistory A look into the University of Michigan's history leading up to the inception of the current Race and Ethnicity Requirement and its ensuing developments. Thanks UROP!!

About R&E “All courses satisfying the requirement must provide discussion concerning: 1. the meaning of race, ethnicity, and racism; 2. racial and ethnic intolerance and resulting inequality as it occurs in the United States or elsewhere; 3. comparisons of discrimination based on race, ethnicity, religion, social class, or gender.” In addition, “every course satisfying the requirement must devote substantial, but not necessarily exclusive, attention to the required content. Although it is hoped that many of these courses will focus on the United States, it is not required that they do so. Courses that deal with these issues in other societies, or that study them comparatively, may also meet the requirement.”

How Many R&E Courses Do Students Take?

Are R&E Courses Too Large?

When Do Students Take R&E Courses? (4,258 LSA graduates, AY2013-14)

How Would You Design R&E? Remember: The courses are offered on a voluntary basis by the faculty; you may need to talk them into it! We need ~6,000 seats in the Fall & ~5,000 in the Winter (LSA = 17,000+ Undergrads!) Each course needs to be at least 3 credits Here & Now versus Then & There Large versus Small How much driven by protest and student demand? Racism/Intolerance vs. Diversity/Multiculturalism