TO:        Nikki Mandell

FROM:  Gene Grigsby, Acting Chair
              Diversity Committee

DATE:   November 15, 2000

RE:        New Course Proposals
 

Nikki

The Diversity Committee has completed its review of your two course proposals, (1) Women in American History 1600-1875 and (2) Women in American History 1875-Present.  The committee commends your efforts in developing these courses and believes they will strengthen the curriculum.  The committee also recognizes your qualifications to teach the courses.  The committee decided, however, not to approve the courses for diversity credit at this time based on the following reasons:

1. The initial guidelines specified in the Design for Diversity stipulated that courses approved for diversity must have as a primary and center focus one of the following U.S. groups:
(A) African Americans
(B) Hispanics
(C) Native Americans
(D) South East Asians

2. Since the inter-related experiences of the above groups appear to be the focus and emphasis of the courses, studying the groups over a shorter time-span would give ample attention to each group: a primary objective of the diversity initiative.

3. While the courses appear to be well designed, the primary and central focus is on “gender” in shaping women’s experiences and America.  Race and ethnicity is treated as a secondary and intermittent factor.

4. The committee believes that both courses fit perfectly into the Women’s Studies curriculum.

5. The committee believes that an alternative new course such as “Minority Women in American History” would allow for greater attention and emphasis given to the targeted groups specified in the Design for Diversity initiative.