DVRS1304

Meets MN Transfer Curriculum Goal Areas 5 History/Social, Behavioral Sciences and 7A - Human Diversity. Diversity and Social Justice is a course that uses critical thinking and questioning to define, recognize, and analyze individual, institutional, cultural, and societal racism, sexism, classism, heterosexism, transphobia, ableism, and other forms of oppression. It focuses on the development of practical skills for addressing these oppressive elements in personal, professional, and public lives in the United States. Students learn how to engage respectfully in interpersonal relationships and empower themselves to act as agents of social change, learning skills to create a more equal and just society.

Student Learning Outcome:

• Critically examine ideas about people, perspectives, and experiences that are different than their own.
• Evaluate how their experiences impact how they view others.
• Critically examine stereotypical or false beliefs, values, and opinions.
• Critically examine the dehumanizing biases and misinformation that lead to the oppression that various groups in the United States experience.
• Discuss the national debates within the U.S. that provide a societal context in which oppressive behaviors occur.
• Recognize ideological messages and social control in U.S. culture.
• Analyze the prejudices, privileges, and power that motivate individual and institutional classism, racism, sexism, heterosexism, ableism, and other forms of oppression.
• Explain the complexity of identity in relation to the various forms of oppression.
• Examine successful social movements in the U.S. that have challenged oppression.
• Identify respectful interpersonal strategies for challenging disrespectful behaviors and for building skills in creating a more supportive community for all people.
• Plan constructive ways to act as an ally or advocate in channeling personal power toward societal change.