Inclusive Excellence at BSU

Diversity in the curriculum

A critically important area of inclusive excellence is the presence of diversity in the curriculum of higher education institutions.  A significant body of literature suggests that a serious engagement of diversity in the curriculum increases positive student attitudes toward and awareness of diversity, satisfaction with college, and commitment and involvement in education in general (Smith 1997).

The table provides specific BSU  goals, program/initiative description and BSU contacts.

Inclusive Excellence:  Diversity in the Curriculum

Goal:  Catalog and connect the presence of and participation in general education diversity requirements and the number of courses and majors that explore issues of power, social justice, equity, multiculturalism, and diversity.

 

 

Program/Initiative 

 Description

 Contact

Asian Studies Program


The Asian Studies program at Bridgewater State University gives interested students the opportunity to learn about Asian societies and cultures. Students from any disciplines may choose a minor in Asian studies, focusing on East Asia, South Asia, or the Middle East, take courses on at least two of the three regions.

 

Contact:
 Dr. Wing-kai To  wto@bridgew.edu

Canadian Studies Program
Since 1973, the BSU Canadian Studies Program
has been dedicated to the teaching of Canada in
the United States. Stressing academic excellence, the program:
  • Offers an increasing number and variety of courses, which students may take toward a minor in Canadian Studies, as part of their major, or as core courses and electives.
  • Has created a student Canada Club, and plans a filed trip to Canada for its members.
  • Continues to work to establish a summer study tour to Canada.
  • Encourages students to take part in exchange programs and internships.

 
Contact:
Dr. Anthony Cicerone
cicerone@bridgew.edu

Latin American and Caribbean Studies Program
The Latin American and Caribbean Studies program at Bridgewater State University gives interested students the opportunity to use the analytical tools of various disciplines to learn about the societies of Middle-America, south America, and the Caribbean, including the Latin American diaspora in the United States and elsewhere.

 
Contact:
Dr. Faiman-Silva
sfaimansilva@bridgew.edu

 

Women and Gender Studies Program
The Women's Studies Program at Bridgewater State University was established in 1983, and is part of a rapidly growing course of study nationwide. 

 
Contact:
Diana Fox
d1fox@bridgew.edu

U.S. Ethnic Studies Program
The U.S. Ethnic Studies Minor is an interdisciplinary minor, which aims to introduce students to United States ethnic and racial groups; history, theory, and cultural analyses of ethnicity, race, class, and culture in the United States; and opportunities for engaged learning and community service among U.S. ethnic, racial, and regional groups.

 
Contact:
Ben Carson
benjamin.carson@bridgew.edu
 

The BSU Core Curriculum
The BSU Core Curriculum is composed of four main areas.
  • Skill Requirements.  All students are required to demonstrate proficiency in the skill areas of writing, logical reasoning, mathematical reasoning, and spoken communication.
  • Core Distribution Requirements.  All students will learn about the arts, humanities, the natural and social and behavioral sciences, global culture, multiculturalism, quantitative reasoning and the U.S. and Massachusetts Constitutions.
Contact:
Rita Miller
rmiller@bridgew.edu


GLBT Minor
 


The GLBT minor, available beginning Fall 2009, is designed to allow students to explore sexuality and sexual diversity by examining the history and present conditions of sexual and gender formation, as well as ideologies of sexuality, from a range of disciplinary perspectives. 

 
Contact:
Lisa Forest
lforest@bridgew.edu

Last Modified: August 2, 2010