Why isn a multicultural or human diversity course required in the General Education Core Curriculum?
Public universities and community colleges, but not private institutions, are required by Public Act 87-581 “to include, in the general education requirements for obtaining a degree, coursework on improving human relations to include race, ethnicity, gender and other issues related to improving human relations… .” Students enrolled in or transferring to a public institution should be advised to complete at least one diversity course within the General Education Core Curriculum. The Steering Panel believes that “the knowledge, wisdom, and creativity of diverse human groups” (see page 6 of the General Education Core Curriculum) should be embedded throughout General Education Core Curriculum courses and that no one should graduate without such understanding. Courses that focus on non-Western cultures and American diversity are identified in both the Humanities and Fine Arts and the Social and Behavioral sections.
