Navigating Diversity Requirements at UCLA: A Comprehensive Guide
UCLA, a leading institution of higher education, emphasizes the importance of diversity and inclusion in its academic programs. Recognizing the increasingly multicultural, multiethnic, transnational, and interconnected nature of contemporary society, UCLA has implemented diversity requirements across various schools and colleges. These requirements are designed to broaden students' perspectives, enhance their analytical skills, and prepare them to thrive in a diverse world. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the diversity requirements at UCLA, focusing on the specific requirements of the College, the Schools of Arts and Architecture, Public Affairs, and Theater, Film, and Television.
The Purpose of Diversity Requirements
The overarching goal of diversity requirements at UCLA is to foster a deeper understanding of diverse perspectives and experiences. These requirements are intended to help students better understand the perspectives of others whose histories, experiences, cultures, and social conditions may differ from their own. By engaging with diverse viewpoints, students develop critical and reflective perspectives on difference within both domestic and global spheres. Frames of difference include but are not limited to race, ethnicity, socioeconomic class, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, age, language, nationality, citizenship status, and place of origin. Ultimately, these requirements aim to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to function, thrive, and provide leadership in multicultural, multiethnic, transnational, and interconnected global societies.
Diversity Requirement in the College
Students in the College satisfy the diversity requirement by completing one course from a faculty-approved list of diversity courses. The course must be taken for a letter grade, and passed with a grade of C or better (a grade of C- is not acceptable). The College diversity requirement is intended to help students better understand the perspectives of others whose histories, experiences, cultures, and social conditions may differ from their own. Diversity courses are designed to provide students with the analytical skills needed to develop critical and reflective perspectives on difference within both domestic and global spheres, and to prepare them to function, thrive, and provide leadership in multicultural, multiethnic, transnational, and interconnected global societies. Frames of difference include but are not limited to race, ethnicity, socioeconomic class, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, age, language, nationality, citizenship status, and place of origin.
Diversity Requirement in the School of the Arts and Architecture
The School of the Arts and Architecture diversity requirement is intended to help arts students understand the societal realities in which the arts exist. The School diversity requirement is predicated on the notion that students in the arts must be trained to understand the local, national, and global realities in which they make, understand, interpret, and teach the arts. Those realities include the multicultural, transnational, and global nature of contemporary society and around the world.
The diversity requirement may be satisfied by taking courses in any of three parts of the student’s overall program: general education (GE) courses, major courses, or upper-division nonmajor elective courses. As such, students are not required to complete an additional course to satisfy the diversity requirement.
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Diversity Requirement in the School of Public Affairs
The School of Public Affairs diversity requirement is intended to help students better understand the perspectives of others whose histories, experiences, cultures, and social conditions may differ from their own. Diversity courses are designed to provide students with the analytical skills needed to develop critical and reflective perspectives on difference within both domestic and global spheres, and to prepare them to function, thrive, and provide leadership in multicultural, multiethnic, transnational, and interconnected global societies. Frames of difference include but are not limited to race, ethnicity, socioeconomic class, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, age, language, nationality, citizenship status, and place of origin.
The diversity requirement may be satisfied by completing one course from the approved list of courses. Courses used to satisfy the diversity requirement are approved by the School’s Faculty Executive Committee. The course must be taken for a letter grade, and students must receive a grade of C or better (C- grade is not acceptable).
Diversity Requirement in the School of Theater, Film, and Television
The School of Theater, Film, and Television diversity requirement is intended to help students better understand the perspectives of others whose histories, experiences, cultures, and social conditions may differ from their own. Diversity courses are designed to provide students with the analytical skills needed to develop critical and reflective perspectives on difference within both domestic and global spheres, and to prepare them to function, thrive, and provide leadership in multicultural, multiethnic, transnational, and interconnected global societies. Frames of difference include but are not limited to race, ethnicity, socioeconomic class, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, age, language, nationality, citizenship status, and place of origin.
The diversity requirement may be satisfied by completing one course from the faculty-approved list of courses. If taken for a letter grade, students must receive a C or better grade (a C− grade is not acceptable). Applicable courses may also fulfill major, minor, or elective requirements and, if approved for general education (GE) credit, may fulfill a GE requirement.
Approved Courses and General Guidelines
Each school and college at UCLA maintains a list of approved courses that satisfy the diversity requirement. These courses are carefully selected by faculty committees to ensure that they meet the specific learning objectives of the requirement. Students should consult the UCLA General Catalog and their respective department advisors for the most up-to-date list of approved courses.
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General guidelines for satisfying the diversity requirement include:
- Course Selection: Choose a course from the approved list that aligns with your academic interests and personal goals.
- Grading: Ensure that the course is taken for a letter grade.
- Minimum Grade: Achieve a grade of C or better (a grade of C- is generally not acceptable).
- Double Counting: Explore the possibility of using the same course to satisfy both the diversity requirement and other requirements, such as major, minor, elective, or general education requirements.
Importance of Consulting the UCLA General Catalog
The UCLA General Catalog is published annually in PDF and HTML formats. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information presented in the UCLA General Catalog. However, all courses, course descriptions, instructor designations, curricular degree requirements, and fees described herein are subject to change or deletion without notice. Consult this Catalog for the most current, officially approved courses and curricula. Other information about UCLA may be found in materials produced by the schools of Arts and Architecture; Dentistry; Education and Information Studies; Engineering and Applied Science; Law; Management; Medicine; Music; Nursing; Public Affairs; Public Health; and Theater, Film, and Television.
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