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Diversifying Course Materials: How Syllabi Express Values about Research Traditions and Authority

Guiding Principles

  • Goal is to diversify, but think beyond “inclusion.” ​

  • Be wary of making assumptions around people's personal identities​.

  • Aim is not to meet quotas, but to include knowledge that has been systematically excluded from academia .​

  • Avoid tokenism, misappropriation, and segregation of marginalized voices into special topics modules or as counter arguments.

Strategies

  1. Find the primary source
  2. Use advanced search functionality in databases
    • filter by country of origin 
    • keyword examples: 
      • "diversi*" AND "syllabus" AND [your discipline])
      • decolon* AND "curriculum" 
  3. Consider alternative sources and a variety of media
    • Grey literature
    • Community/activist organizations
    • Blogs, websites, open resources
    • Social media, YouTube, TED talks
    • Special collections, archives
  4. Look to your professional organizations. For example: