DEALING WITH DIVERSITY

Subject: Telecourse/Social Studies/Conflict Resolution
Grades: 9-12-Adult
Length: 24 episodes @ 60 minutes
School Record Rights: Fair Use
Web Site: http://www.pbs.org/als/deal_diversity/index.html

Dealing with Diversity, the highly successful telecourse from Governors State University has been completely revised, with all new video programs and print materials! Like the original course, which is based on the premise that the more we understand, the less we fear, Dealing with Diversity introduces students to people from many diverse populations in an effort to help students understand the different constraints and motivations of people from backgrounds different from their own.

As the 21st century opens the United States along with nations around the world struggle to deal with a planet that has been become a global village. The challenges are both inter-cultural and intra-cultural. And for nations like the U.S. continued immigration from around the world constantly brings new ethnic/racial cultural challenges to an already diverse society. Demographic projections indicate that by the mid-century (2050) one half of the U.S. population will be made up of people of African, Asian and Latino/Latina backgrounds. This shift in minority/majority numerical size will most likely create challenges that only a culturally tolerant society, well-educated in diversity issues can survive. This shift in demographics is also compounded by the increase of other definable groups such as the disabled, the aged, gays and lesbians as well as a variety of other special interest groups. All of these entities will be competing for an equal voice in our democratic republic and capitalistic economic system.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS

101) Introduction and Overview
The course opens with an exercise called "Who in the World is in here?" in which the students participating in the class explore their individual ethnic/racial, religious, and cultural backgrounds. The definitions of terms that will be used throughout the course are also defined in this introductory lesson.

102) Social Interaction Model
In this lesson, students examine a social interaction model, which helps us understand how humans interact in culturally diverse settings. Students explore the five major components of the model, which are overlapping and interdependent upon each other.

103) Negotiating Cultural Communication
Using a number of communication simulations as well as personal stories in communication, some humorous and some serious, students explore some of the varieties of communication styles that exist in the U. S. and in other cultures around the world.

104) The Changing Face of America and the World
In this lesson, students explore the rapidly changing demographic trends occurring in the United States and around the world by examining population changes taking place within the U.S. and the impact of these changes on our institutions and communities.

105) Immigration, Social Policy, and Employment
Students discuss the history of immigration laws in the U.S. and examine the various waves of immigrants who came to the U.S., the reasons why they came, and their reactions after they got here. The lesson ends by focusing on the impact of increasing diversity on our current and future workforce.

106) Race: The World's Most Dangerous Myth
Explores one of our nation's most complex and pressing problems— the concept and use of the term "race". Students discuss how the problems surrounding race are exacerbated by the multiple definitions that have been given to the term.

107) Social Class Issues in the USA
Focusing on the plight of the homeless and what if anything can be done about this growing problem, students probe the impact of social economics on the lives of families and individuals in the U.S.

108) Gender Issues in the USA
The multifaceted issues surrounding gender in our society are the focus of this lesson. Students discuss inequalities women face in the workplace as well as in the greater society. The second half features a robust discussion of the Robert Bly book, "Iron John".

109) Native Americans, Part 1
In the first of two lessons on Native American cultures in the U.S. students examine the origins of Native Americans on the North American continent and discuss the background and their current role in society.

110) Native Americans, Part 2
In this second lesson on Native American cultures in the U.S., students review a case study of Illinois' Dickson Mounds Museum and the controversy surrounding the exhibition of its burial grounds. The second half of the lesson features a variety of Native American students, professors, and administrators at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff.

111) Hispanic/Latino Americans, Part 1
In the first of two lessons on Hispanic/Latino Americans, students discuss the variety of cultural groups that are classified under the Hispanic/Latino American label. They will also discuss why Hispanic/Latino Americans are projected to soon be the largest ethnic group in our society.

112) Hispanic/Latino Americans, Part 2
This second lesson on Hispanic/Latino Americans focuses on Hostos Community College of the City University of New York and its unique programs serving a mainly Latino community in New York City.

113) African Americans, Part I
In the first of two lessons exploring African American culture in the U.S., students examine the changing demographic and socioeconomic data of this group and how these data compare to those of other groups in our society. The lesson also helps to identify some of the root causes of these differences and to suggest possible solutions to these disparities.

114) African Americans, Part 2
Dr. Maulana Karenga, inventor of the Kwanzaa celebration, helps to challenge our notions of the role and significance of African Americans in this nation's history. This lesson also features leading scholar Dr. Lisa Delpit on the issue of educating minority children in our public schools.

115) Asian Americans
Students explore some of the many cultures that fall under the label of "Asian American," and the immigration forces that are fueling the fastest growth among any ethnic groups in our society. The lesson also includes a case study of Koreans in the Chicago, Illinois area.

116) Arab Americans
Focuses on a group that is a virtual enigma in our society, Arab Americans. Students discuss how Arab Americans have become the new ethnic villains in our media and folk knowledge, while very little is known about the actual contributions and history of the varied groups lumped under this category.

117) European Americans
Students examine the culture of European Americans and the impact of language and religion nationally and even globally. The program focuses the example of the history and experiences of Polish and Italian Americans.

118) Creole and Mixed Ethnic Americans
Beginning with a look at the origins of the Creole culture in New Orleans and its subsequent impact on the U.S., students examine the phenomenon of ethnic groups and the impact on individuals as they mix with others of different ethnic groups. The lesson also discusses the impact of mixed ethnicity on "mixed-race" couples.

119) Ethnocentric Groups in the USA
In this lesson, students examine several ethnocentric views that fuel a great deal of debate in this nation.

120) Sexual Orientation Issues
Students look at the demographics of Gays, Lesbians, Bi-Sexuals, and the Transgendered and the shifting attitudes that people have in this country towards the basic rights of members of these groups.

121) Physical/Mental Ability Issues
Focusing on people with disabilities, this lesson explores one of the largest special interest groups in our society while remaining one with the lowest visibility. Students learn how people with disabilities also face one of the highest rates of discrimination in our society.

122) Age Issues: From Young to Old
In this lesson, students examine age issues and the impact these issues have on society.

123) A New South Africa
The Republic of South Africa, one of the world's newest democracies, provides a unique mirror image of the culture of the U.S. at various times in its history. Students compare similarities of Apartheid in South Africa with segregation in the U.S., especially during the Jim Crow years. The lesson also explores the similarities between the Civil Rights movements in both countries.

124) Diversity Issues and Answers
This lesson concludes the comparison of South Africa and the U.S. It ends with a visit to the world headquarters of the Jehovah Witnesses in New York City. This visit helps to provide students with some closure to the many issues dealt with in this course.