The School of Public Affairs diversity requirement is intended to help students better understand the perspectives of others whose histories, experiences, cultures, and social conditions may differ from their own.
Diversity courses are designed to provide students with the analytical skills needed to develop critical and reflective perspectives on difference within both domestic and global spheres, and to prepare them to function, thrive, and provide leadership in multicultural, multiethnic, transnational, and interconnected global societies.
Frames of difference include but are not limited to race, ethnicity, socioeconomic class, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, age, language, nationality, citizenship status, and place of origin.
The diversity requirement may be satisfied by completing one course from the approved list of courses. Courses used to satisfy the diversity requirement are approved by the School’s Faculty Executive Committee. The list of approved courses will be published on the School’s website and in the schedule of classes. The course must be taken for a letter grade, and students must receive a grade of C or better (C- grade is not acceptable). Diversity courses may also be applied toward major, minor, or elective requirements and, if approved for general education (GE) credit, may fulfill a GE requirement.