EDU 201 - Diversity in Education

3 Contact Hours, 3 Credits
3 lecture periods 0 lab periods

Exploration of how diversity shapes educational experiences and reflects broader social, cultural, and historical change. Includes the impacts of demographics on schools, culturally responsive teaching, multicultural literature, cultural influences on communication, and legal precedents for educational equity. Also includes critical thinking and methods of social scientific inquiry in educational settings.

AGEC Gen-Ed: SBS
CTE Gen-Ed: SBS

Course Learning Outcomes

Define the concepts of culture and multicultural education.
Describe cultural influences on communication styles and perspectives.
Summarize legal precedents for educational equity.
Recognize the impact of changing demographics in school settings.
Explain how multicultural literature can support culturally responsive teaching.

Outline:

Diversity in Today’s Schools
1. Diversity of human development
2. Demographic shifts in the United States
3. Implications for curriculum, instruction, and school policies
Culture and Multicultural Education
1. Defining culture and its influence on education
2. Theories of multicultural education
3. Methods of social science inquiry in educational settings
Cultural Influences in the Classroom
1. Verbal and nonverbal modes of communication across cultures
2. High-context vs. low-context communication styles
3. Bridging diverse perspectives and worldviews
Legal Foundations of Educational Equity
1. Key Supreme Court cases and legislation (Brown v. Board, Lau v. Nichols, IDEA)
2. Civil Rights Act, Title IX, and ESSA
3. Ongoing challenges in educational equity
Culturally Responsive Teaching
1. The role of diverse literature in education
2. Selecting and evaluating multicultural texts
3. Enhancing student engagement through representation in literature
4. Strategies for culturally inclusive teaching