DIV designation
Background
The University of Washington legislation mandates that, before graduating, all students must complete a minimum of three credits in courses approved by the appropriate school or college that address the sociocultural, political, and economic diversity of human experience on local, regional, or global scales.
This Diversity Requirement (DIV) is designed to foster an understanding of the complexities of living in increasingly diverse and interconnected societies. Through these courses, students engage with topics that explore how different cultural, political, and economic systems shape human experiences across various contexts.
These courses emphasize cross-cultural analysis and communication while addressing historical and contemporary inequities related to race, ethnicity, class, sex and gender, sexual orientation, nationality, ability, religion, creed, age, and socioeconomic status. Course activities are intended to promote critical thinking on issues such as power, inequality, marginality, and social movements. Additionally, they aim to enhance students’ ability to communicate effectively across cultural differences, preparing them to navigate and contribute to a multicultural world.
Designation process
Permanent designation
New or existing courses that would like the DIV designation should go through the steps below.
- Fill out Diversity Requirement (DIV) designation application.
- Upload application with syllabus into Kuali.
- Request should be reviewed by school level curriculum oversight committee/person.
- After approval at school level, a second review will be made while reviewing the course at CCASC.
- Designation by CCASC is final. The course will go on for further review at UWCO but they will not change DIV designations approved at the campus level.
Ad hoc designation
Instructors teaching existing courses or sections of courses that feel they meet the DIV requirement for a specific quarter should go through the following process. If the exact version is taught again, the approval can be in place for up to three years.
- Fill out Diversity Requirement (DIV) designation application.
- Send application with syllabus to school level curriculum oversight committee/person.
- Request should be reviewed by school level curriculum oversight committee/person.
- After approval at school level, the school time scheduler will work with the registrar to ensure the approved course/section is designated for the designated quarter.
- No campus level review is necessary.