Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Antiracism and General Education

What does one need to know to be a fully functional citizen? What kind of knowledge is important to operate in the world of tomorrow? What broad skills does a college graduate in 2026 need to have? Perhaps more importantly, whose knowledge should count as important and relevant enough to teach to the leaders of tomorrow? Whose perspective should be dominant? Whose stories should we tell?

Are you interested in participating in a conversation about these questions? Are you interested in joining a diverse team of multidisciplinary faculty from across campus to critique the syllabi of yesterday and shape the courses of tomorrow? Are you interested in rethinking the Gen Ed experience from an anti-racist perspective? If so, join the conversation and sign-up for this class.

Working in interdisciplinary teams, students and faculty in this JMU X-Labs/AAAD course will explore and reimagine JMU’s General Education curricula to include meaningful, transformative courses and learning opportunities focused on addressing the oppressive structures that create barriers to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI). We will explore best theory and practice in antiracist and decolonial pedagogy, conduct interviews and focus groups with a broad range of constituencies, gain experience working in interdisciplinary teams while using a variety of innovation and design methods, and practice skills that enable effective responses to complex and pressing problems. Together, we will imagine and develop a prototype that could be brought to scale at JMU. At semester’s end, course participants will share their work with members of the university administration and faculty for potential future development and implementation.