Mission Statement and learning outcomes
The College of Natural Sciences Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Concentration facilitates students' exploration of DEI concepts through coursework and opportunities to develop skills and knowledge needed to succeed in a diverse world.
Concentration Learning outcomes related to DEI concepts include:
- Developing a Knowledge Base
- Facilitating Self-Awareness
- Fostering Critical Thinking
- Improving Intercultural Communication Skills
- Engaging in Action-Planning Skills
- Committing to Ongoing Learning
If you have questions please contact Dr. Tonia Guida via email at tonia.guida@austin.utexas.edu or cns.diversity@austin.utexas.edu.
Click here to view and download the DEI Concentration Roadmap.
concentration description
The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Concentration is comprised of coursework and events to promote dialogue and guide students through a variety of experiences aimed at exploring and expanding understanding of complex ideas and issues. The goal of this credential is not to indicate mastery in these areas, but rather to demonstrate purposeful and thoughtful guided exploration and self-reflection around themes related to diversity and inclusion.
Overview
Students must complete a minimum of four semesters of Concentration work. The Concentration is comprised of four parts:
I. Application
II. Coursework
- NSC 109 - Civil Discourse
- At least one other UT course chosen from the coursework list below
III. DEI Events - students must attend two approved events or trainings per semester
IV. Capstone Course
Application
An application is required for this Concentration. Students should expect to spend a minimum of 20 minutes to thoughtfully complete the application:
Coursework
Approved Courses
Culture/gender/religion courses have to relate to context in society, communication and/or health. While general history courses on various cultures or religions are a great start to understanding a culture or religion, we want coursework to delve deeper allowing students to engage in understanding of contexts, implications, systems, etc, which will improve their ability to interact with various individuals and engage in discussions around issues related to different cultures.
Health profession courses may apply if content deals with culture, gender, and/or the healthcare system as it relates to treatment of special populations or ethical issues.
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AAS 310: TOPIC 1 - PSY PERSP ASIAN AMER IDENT |
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ADV 378: HEALTH COMMUNICATION |
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AFR 372C: WOMEN OF COLOR FEMINISMS IN US |
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AFR 372D: MEDICINE IN AFRICAN HISTORY |
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AFR 374D: PSYCHOLOGY OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN EXPERIENCE |
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AFR 374D: BLACK WOMEN IN AMERICA |
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AMS 315: TOPIC 3 - RACE, IMMIGRATION & FAMILY |
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AMS 370: LATINA/O SPIRITUALITY |
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ANS 379: TOPIC 10 - COMPARING RELIGIONS |
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ANT 307: CULTURE AND COMMUNICATION |
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ANT 325L: TOPIC 18 - ETHNOGRAPHIES OF EMOTION |
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CMS 317C: SPEECH IN AMERICAN CULTURE |
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CMS 330: INTERPERSONAL HEALTH COMMUNICATION |
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CMS 355K: INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION |
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CMS 364K: GENDER AND COMMUNICATION |
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CSD 308K: PERSPECTIVES ON DEAFNESS |
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ECO 325K: HEALTH ECONOMICS |
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GOV 370L: TOPIC 23 - THE POLITICS OF HEALTH CARE |
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GOV 370L: TOPIC 21 - POLITICS OF FOOD IN AMERICA |
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GRG 336: CONTEMP CULTURAL GEOGRAPHY |
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H S 301: INTRO TO HEALTH & SOCIETY |
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H S 330: HEALTH CARE POLICY IN U.S. |
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H S 340: COMPARATIVE US HEALTH SYSTEMS |
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HDF 343: HUM DEV IN MINORITY/IMMIG FAMS |
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HIS 350L: TOPIC 94 - WOMEN/WEALTH IN SOUTH ASIA |
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HIS 350R: TOPIC 18: WOMEN IN SICKNESS & HEALTH |
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HIS 363KL POLITICS OF FOOD IN LATIN AMER |
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HIS 365G: TOPIC 13 - RACE, LAW, AND US SOCIETY |
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HIS 366N: TOPIC 18 - GLOBAL HISTORY OF DISEASE |
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LAS 322: TOPIC 17 - SPANISH HLTH CARE PROFESSNS |
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N 309: GLOBAL HEALTH |
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N 321: ETHICS OF HEALTH CARE |
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NTR 316: CULTURE AND FOOD |
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PHL 325M: MEDICINE, ETHICS, AND SOCIETY |
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PSY 341K: TOPIC 17 - PSYCHOLOGY AND RELIGION |
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S W 310: INTRO TO SOCL WORK & SOCL WELF |
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SOC 308: SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH |
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SOC 308M: SOCIOLOGY OF IDENTITY |
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SOC 321G: GLOBAL HEALTH ISSUES/SYSTEMS |
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SOC 321K: MENTAL HEALTH IN SOCIAL CONTEXT |
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SOC 321K: NGOS HUMANITARIAN AID/HLTH |
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SOC 321K: SEX/SEXUALITY MUSLIM WORLD |
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SOC 321K: WAR AND HEALTH |
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SOC 322U: UNITED STATES IMMIGRATION |
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SOC 333K: SOCIOLOGY OF GENDER |
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SOC 336D: RACE, CLASS, AND HEALTH |
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SOC 341C: MEDICAL SOCIOLOGY |
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UGS 303: DISABILITY AND THE MEDIA |
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UGS 303: GLOBAL INEQUALITIES/HEALTH |
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UGS 303: MEDICAL ETHICS |
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URB 354: FOUNDATIONS OF SOCIAL JUSTICE |
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WGS 301: TOPIC 20 - FERTILITY & REPRODUCTION |
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WGS 301: TOPIC 6 - ETHNCTY & GENDER: LA CHICANA |
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WGS 324: GENDER AND FAN CULTURE |
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WGS 324: GENDER AND MEDIA CULTURE |
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WGS 340: TOPIC 52 - SEX & POWER IN AFR DIASPORA |
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WGS 345: TOPIC 26 - AMERICAN DILEMMAS |
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WGS 345: TOPIC 35 - PSYCHSOCL ISS WOMENS HEALTH |
NSC 109: Civil Discourse
NSC 109: Civil Discourse is a one hour, required seminar for students as they begin this concentration. This course aims to expand student knowledge of issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). The course will empower students with terminology, critical thinking, and empathy tools for engaging in productive conversations around difficult topics. This course also serves as a cohesive foundation for the subsequent DEI Concentration, which can be pursued through a variety of trainings, courses, and events across campus.
Please click here to view a current syllabus for this course.
NSC 209: Capstone
This independent study seminar will guide you through a culmination of your work in the DEI Concentration. You will use critical and reflective thinking and effective problem solving to:
- Create steps toward a solution for a DEI related issue on campus or in the community
- Develop your leadership in the DEI Concentration by facilitating a class meeting of Civil Discourse along with an event and debrief, as well as assisting with Concentration development through application and other Concentration reviews
Events
Approved Events Spring 2019
Concentration students are required to attend two DEI approved events or trainings per semester (at least one needs to be a facilitated event), beginning in the semester of NSC 109 Civil Discourse enrollment. Debriefing with Council for Diversity Engagement leadership representatives, Capstone students, and/or CNS DEI staff immediately following event attendance is mandatory to satisfy this requirement. Current approved events and trainings for Spring 2019 are listed below, click to see more details and RSVP:
March 12: Higher Learning (Film Screening)
April 15: The Intouchables (Film Screening)
FAQs
Question: Can non-CNS students take NSC 109?
Answer: Yes, on a space available basis.
Question: Can non-CNS students complete the concentration?
Answer: Yes, if they are able to take the courses to complete the requirements. Non-CNS students will be added to NSC 109 and the Capstone course on a space available basis after CNS students.
Question: Can freshmen begin the concentration?
Answer: Yes!
Question: Can seniors begin the concentration?
Answer: Yes, but only students graduating in spring 2019 and fall 2019 will be granted exceptions to the 4 long semester rule.
Question: Can a student use dual/AP/transfer credit to satisfy any of the concentration requirements?
Answer: No, students must fulfill the coursework requirement at UT from the list of approved courses.
Question: Can a course I took last year fulfill the concentration requirements?
Answer: Yes if it’s on the approved course list, however, students are encouraged to continue exploring the approved courses as they have space during their time at UT. Please talk to your academic advisor about when and where you can fit in courses from the approved list.
Question: Do students need to take Civil Discourse first?
Answer: It is strongly recommended for students to take Civil Discourse to begin the concentration, though exceptions will be considered on a case by case basis.
Question: Where do they submit requests for this (and other) exceptions/appeals?
Answer: Petitions and questions can be submitted to cns.diversity@austin.utexas.edu.
Question: How is this compatible with the HP certificate? What’s similar and what’s different?
Answer: The Health Professions Certificate offers a variety of theme courses, and while there may be some overlap in the courses approved, the purpose of these credentials differs. The Health Professions Certificate is transcriptable, and its aim is for pre-health students to explore interdisciplinary courses that are complementary to pre-health goals. The DEI Concentration is not currently transcriptable, and its aim is to guide students through a variety of themes specific to diversity and inclusion and provide not only courses, but guided event participation, as well as an introductory and capstone courses involving deeper exploration and personal reflection around themes and issues of diversity and inclusion. Pre-Health students may find this Concentration helpful for developing a personal diversity statement and developing responses to interview prompts. Students are welcome to pursue both credentials or choose the credential which they feel will most benefit their personal growth and meet their pre-health goals.
Question: Can I take Civil Discourse and the Capstone course in the same semester?
Answer: No, students must take Civil Discourse prior to enrolling in the Capstone course. Civil Discourse will help to inform your progression through the Concentration and provide foundational discussions to help shape your Capstone goals.
Question: What’s the earliest I can take the Capstone course?
Answer: The earliest a student can take the Capstone course is their fourth semester in the Concentration, however, it’s strongly recommended for students to save the Capstone course for their graduating semester if and where possible, as the Capstone is a culminating course that will be informed by the entirety of your undergraduate experience.
Question: I’m studying abroad (or at least outside Austin) for a semester. How can I satisfy the 2-events requirement?
Answer: Students going abroad or completing semesters in other cities have a unique experience to interact with new cultures, which matches the goals of the Concentration. Once you know which semester during your Concentration progression you will be out of the country, please let us know at cns.diversity@austin.utexas.edu. We have some prompts for you to explore and respond to upon your return to meet the Concentration Events requirement.
Question: Can I count this Concentration toward my BSA degree?
Answer: No, currently this Concentration is not transcriptable. But we are working on it!
Question: How does this Concentration work with other transcriptable credentials I’m pursuing?
Answer: You are welcome to pursue this Concentration along with other transcriptable credentials. Please be sure to check in with your advisor about fitting all of your credential courses in alongside your four-year degree plan before taking on multiple credentials. This concentration will not appear on your transcript like transcriptable minors/certificates, but you are welcome to include this Concentration in the Education portion of your resume alongside your degree and other credentials.
Question: How many hours of community service will I have to do for this?
Answer: Currently there are not required hours of specified community service for the DEI Concentration. However, there may be approved events for the semester that involve community service. If you sign up for one of those events, you would be required to fulfill the hours of that event and the debrief.
Question: Will Civil Discourse be offered every semester, including summer?
Answer: Civil Discourse will be offered each fall and spring. Currently there is not a plan to offer this course over the summer, but that may change as the Concentration develops and demand is determined.
Question: Will the Capstone course be offered every semester, including summer?
Answer: The Capstone course will be offered starting in Fall 2020, and thereafter each fall and spring. Currently there is not a plan to offer this course over the summer, but that may change as the Concentration develops and demand is determined.
Question: What can I officially put on my resume for being part of/completing the concentration?
Answer: You are welcome to include the Concentration as a credential on your resume! Please be aware when communicating information about the Concentration on your resume or in interviews that the goal of this credential is not to indicate mastery in these areas, but rather to demonstrate purposeful and thoughtful guided exploration and self-reflection around themes related to diversity and inclusion.
Question: I finished the capstone course,how can I stay involved?
Answer: We’d love for you to stay involved! You can help us in the following ways:
- Facilitate conversation or teach a topic in Civil Discourse
- Help by attending and debriefing Concentration events
- Organize a Concentration project or outing (service event, museum visit, etc.)
- Keep attending approved events and taking approved courses! Just because you’ve completed the Concentration doesn’t mean yourlearning is done; find new avenues of exploration around your own identity or take a deeper dive into a facet of diversity or inclusion that interests you or you are curious about!
