Reed Library: Diversify Your Syllabi: Getting Started

Fredonia Resources

Tools & Example Syllabi

Reed Library Resources

Culturally Responsive Pedagogy (e-book) by Fatima Pirbhai-Illich (Editor); Shauneen Pete (Editor); Fran Martin (Editor) This book convincingly argues that effective culturally responsive pedagogies require teachers to firstly undertake a critical deconstruction of Self in relation to and with the Other; and secondly, to take into account how power affects the socio-political, cultural and historical contexts in which the education relation takes place.
Publication Date: 2017

Additional Readings

Welcome!

Diversifying your syllabi might mean including more content about marginalized peoples and more reading materials by marginalized scholars. The aim is not to simply meet quotas, but to foster an environment that includes knowledge that has been systemically excluded from academia. This refers to knowledge produced by marginalized groups for reasons of race, class, sexual orientation, gender, or ability.

Some Ways to Diversify Course Materials:

Diverse authorship of readings (ethnicity, gender, geo-location)
Invite guest speakers who bring different perspectives
Use diverse A/V material, ie, films, interviews, TED
Incorporate readings that challenge standard approaches
Use primary research with authorship that reflects local collaborators
Offer multiple perspectives in assigned readings; let students choose which to read/discuss

Online Resources

Decolonize All the Things D.A.T.T. is a political education website for the purposes of fostering digital spaces of de-colonization. The goal is for theories to match practice & progressively transform how we think about the world & live in it.
Anti-Oppression Guide (Simmons Library) A guide with general information about anti-oppression, diversity, and inclusion as well as information and resources focused on social justice issues.
Insight into Diversity - past issues INSIGHT Into Diversity is the oldest and largest diversity magazine and website in higher education today.
Project Myopia A project devoted to diversifying university curricula through crowdsourcing material from students, revolutionizing the way that curricula are designed.
Black Minds Matter - Free Course (Center for Organizational Responsibility and Advancement) Black Minds Matter is a public series that is designed to raise the national consciousness about issues facing Black students in education. The series intentionally addresses the pervasive undervaluing and criminalization of Black minds. Tangible solutions for promoting the learning, development, and success of Black students are offered.
Pulling Together: A Guide for Curriculum Developers A guide for Indigenization of post-secondary institutions. A professional learning series. While primarily written for a Canadian audience, this guide provides ways for faculty and staff to Indigenize their practices in post-secondary education.

Diversify Your Syllabi: Getting Started