Applying for D-Designation

How do I apply for a D-Designation Course?

The first step for an instructor to have a course approved for the [d]-designation is to submit an application package to the Faculty Senate Diversity Committee. One it is approved by that committee, the curriculum submission process is stream lined because the deans have waived the requirement to have these revision approved by the respective deans offices, so once you have the department chairs signature on the Curriculum Course Revision forms you may then submit the forms directly to the curriculum Chair. 

Detailed instructions for the submission process

How will the curriculum committee review proposals for the [d]-designation?

Proposals submitted to the curriculum committee for approval as a d-designated course will be placed on the agenda for the subcommittee for the school to which your department belongs, and to the General Education Subcommittee before it will be considered at the main meeting of the Full Curriculum Committee.

The curriculum committee will evaluate the proposal using the following criteria:

  • A d-designated section will address the culture of equity and social justice with the United States through course content, pedagogy, and classroom climate.
  • A d-designated section will incorporate issues of diversity and social justice into their established course content with an emphasis on inclusive pedagogy and classroom climate
  • A d-designated section will examine and explore bias and discrimination within the United States based on a variety of individual and group factors.
  • A d-designated course will not simply input one or two lessons on “other cultures” into the curriculum to satisfy the d-designation requirement.

Description of the desired content of a [d]-designated course

Excerpt from the April 2009 Senate Report

"Courses bearing the [d] designation should pursue the following objective and outcome mandated by the December 2008 revision of the General Education program list of outcomes and objectives; that is, they should assist students to recognize issues of social equity and social justice in the United States, with relevant outcomes including the ability to: recognize the diverse forms and effects of social and economic inequality; understand bias and discrimination based on individual and group factors such as race, color, religious creed, age, sex, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, and mental or physical disability.

A [d] designated section will address the culture of equity and social justice within the United States through course content, pedagogy, and classroom climate, and it will examine and explore bias and discrimination within the United States based on a variety of individual and group factors. It will not simply input one or two lessons on "other cultures" into the curriculum to satisfy the [d] designation requirement."