by Melissa Lau
Features Editor
The University of La Verne’s Institute for Multicultural Research and Campus Diversity is changing the prospective of classes through an event called “Course Transformation.”
The course transformations are funded by a grant from the James Irvine Foundation. This grant provides $2,000 for a full-time instructor, as well as materials, to transform the classes. $1,000 of the grant will go to research and materials such as books, magazine subscriptions and videos. Course transformations are just one of the components of the grant.
There are a number of ways courses will change.
Some professors will incorporate more work of minorities into the syllabus. Other professors may choose to use different teaching styles. There will also be an increase of online classes.
Derek Vergara, director of IMRCD, wrote the grant to propose this step forward. He believes that in order to have success in the classroom, teachers need to take into account the work of minorities. Excluding coursework of minorities can exclude important and interesting perspectives on a subject.
“We need to have diversity issues be woven into the fabric of the university,” said Vergara.
The idea was further developed by three women: Leticia Arellano, Anita Flemington and Nancy Walker.
The first of these cycles began in fall 2001, at which time Walker, Arellano and Flemington participated. The second cycle included 15 professors.
Assistant professor of psychology Arellano said that new ideas always take time to develop, and admits that it can be a little intimidating at first. This may be why there are more participants the second time around. In addition to this, the applications were due in the summer.
In preparation for the transformations, workshops were held by Margie Kitano of San Diego State University. She is known for her book “Multicultural Course Transformation in Higher Education.”
A course transformation reception will be held on April 24 from 3p.m. to 5 p.m. to make students aware, as well as celebrate the diversity.
Poster boards with revised syllabi will be in the Quad.
President Steve Morgan will speak at the event, as well as faculty who participated in the transformation, will speak.
Faculty members who have chosen to participate in transforming their classes will have the chance to win a trip to New Orleans for a conference.
In addition to faculty, Maria Hekman contributed work to the cause. She compiled a list of books that could be used in classes that are to be transformed.
A workshop will be held on May 3 for more information on the third cycle.
Assistant Professor of Psychology Leticia Arellano said, “We’re hoping other faculty members will apply for the next cycle. They don’t need a lot of experience-just the willingness to learn.”
