Diversity Course Requirement Download to print

The purpose of Kent State’s diversity requirement is to help educate students to live in a world of diverse communities, many of which are becoming increasingly permeated with cultural and ideological differences. The study of diversity is intended to promote awareness of local and global differences, to identify shared values, to improve understanding of one’s own culture, and to encourage people to explore and respect differences.

The diversity requirement is part of the university’s broader efforts to encourage, both at the university and beyond, the development of communities in which all members and their contributions are recognized and valued. Diversity courses provide opportunities for students to learn about such matters as the history, culture, values and notable achievements of people other than those of their own national origin, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, age, gender, physical and mental ability, and social class. Diversity courses also provide opportunities to examine problems and issues that may arise from differences, and opportunities to learn how to deal constructively with them.

Courses that satisfy the diversity requirement aim to give students significant opportunities to:

• Address diversity issues, particularly those involving unequal and/or discriminatory treatment
• Compare positive and negative implications of various parochial or "...centric" perspectives
• Encourage global awareness and sensitivity Engage issues of racial or ethnic perceptions, attitudes and stereotypes
• Examine patterns and trends of diversity in the United States
• Explore ways to communicate and participate constructively in a diverse community
• Foster appreciation of aesthetic dimensions of other traditions and cultures
• Learn systematic approaches to understanding cultural differences and commonalities
• Learn systematic techniques for dealing constructively with problems arising out of cultural differences
• Participate in special programs that promote understanding other peoples
• Study Western and non-Western cultures in a world context or from a comparative perspective
• Understand how one’s own culture shapes one’s perceptions, ideology and values

It is understood that not every course will address all of these criteria.

Requirements

As part of the requirements for any bachelor's degree at Kent State, all students must satisfy the diversity requirement, consisting of one course addressing domestic (U.S.) issues and one course addressing global issues.

At least one course must come from the Kent Core. Students may satisfy the second diversity requirement in one of three ways:

1. They may complete the second diversity course from the Kent Core, which also will count toward fulfilling the Kent Core.
2. They may complete any non-Kent Core diversity course. This course may also count toward major or minor program requirements or may be used as an elective.
3. They may, with approval from their dean, satisfy the second diversity requirement by completing one semester of study in another country.

Diversity with Domestic Focus
Diversity with Global Focus

Diversity Criteria and Guidelines

Courses marked K also fulfill the Kent Core; those marked W also fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.

Domestic Diversity Focus

Global Diversity Focus