https://news.tulane.edu/pr/tulane’s-new-race-and-inclusion-requirement-debuts-fall
So, if my kid want to major in math at Tulane, they have to take Race and Inclusion? Thanks for the heads up, I think we’ll take a pass on applying.
@SatchelSF I don’t see this as any different than taking any other core type of requirements as colleges around the country. My D is applying for next year, and I was actually excited to see this!
Agree with @3mamagirls on this. There are many benefits in the academic and subsequent working world to having increased diversity awareness/sensitivity.
There is plenty of research showing that focusing on the characteristic that distinguishes and separates us - in this case, race - actually has the effect of distinguishing and separating us. Makes sense really.
Also, I do think that open and respectful dialogues among people of different backgrounds and races can be fantastic ways of increasing respect and appreciation among people of different backgrounds and races. I have no confidence that that can happen on a modern college campus.
So, based on the above, I believe that requirements like this actually work against what is intended, to the extent they are not just complete wastes of time. Just my two cents, but like everyone else I have my own experiences upon which I base my thinking.
There has already been some interesting research that diversity actually decreases the college environment generally. Here is the article based on the academic paper by social scientists Rothman, Lipsett and Nivette: https://www.nationalaffairs.com/storage/app/uploads/public/58e/1a5/014/58e1a5014c8b3738949550.pdf
Perhaps asking Tulane for their syllabus might address any questions. In my field one needs to be aware of cultural differences to appropriately understand issues, treat patients and interpret data. Not an issue to debate.
That publication is old, @SatchelSF. Not that it matters, but something researched and published in the past few years would be advisable.
It saddens me that you have a preconceived notion that students and faculty on a college campus possibly cannot have respectful dialogues about this. Who knows what the syllabus includes or what exercises it involves, but I choose to have a more optimistic outlook about it, FWIW.
My son is actually a math major at Tulane @jym626 and I am not thrilled with this addition, even though it doesn’t apply to him. Rather than a “race and inclusion” I would rather have everyone take a “civil debate” course that elevates everyone and singles out no one.
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@threebeans How does a course about “race and inclusion” single out people? It sounds like just the opposite. The course seems to be about learning how best to respect and elevate all of one’s peers.
Suppose that a mathematically minded student, in her race and inclusion class, decides to produce statistical evidence that the Black Lives Matter movement, for instance, is based on what she firmly believes is a lie: that black people are being shot disproportionately by police. And suppose further that she is willing to defend her position rationally and logically, offering evidence, and is even willing to go through the math with her fellow classmates and teacher.
How do you think that would go? (A very analogous situation arose at Phillips Exeter Academy last year, and the results were not warm and fuzzy feelings of inclusion and harmony.)
Suppose further that this same student in the gender part of her inclusion class decides to offer some theories as to why females are not represented proportionately in certain STEM fields (overrepresented in some, underrepresented in others). Theories that rely not upon paradigms of oppression, but rather simpler theories of preference and innate abilities. Again, with all civility and evidence in the spirit of an open academic exchange of ideas.
How would that go? (This is analogous to the situation that happened with Larry Summers a decade ago, and is happening right now in the math department at The University of Chicago.)
I’ll reiterate. These classes do more harm than good for the cause that is ostensibly intended. Just my two cents.
@pittsburghscribe it feels like they’re assuming it is necessary to teach every student how to be inclusive and that’s not the case. I will say that Tulane does things well so I hope they do this in such a way that doesn’t alienate students who are already “colorblind” and inclusive.
Hyperbolic hypotheticals are premature. Perhaps better to find out how the class is organized than to create unsubstantiated confrontational examples. My DS was a Tulane grad and very math savvy. That said, there is zero chance he would use his math skills to put forth a confrontational argument. And that’s exactly the point.
Here is the link explaining the requirement: https://news.tulane.edu/pr/tulane%E2%80%99s-new-race-and-inclusion-requirement-debuts-fall
the link in the OP somehow didnt completely work