Foregrounding Diverse Perspectives

In this course, we’re going to push to open ourselves up to new ways of seeing the world and its people. Each unit will be begin with an outside reading that will help us center the current unit’s conversation from a perspective that you might not otherwise encounter in a standard textbook. Our goal in doing this is to encourage you to think outside of your normal approach to problems, issues, and culture, and to help us all understand the value that diversity and diverse perspectives bring to our work and lives.


Below you'll find some readings that have been taught by faculty and staff in the past or suggested. This is not a mandated reading list, but is provided to give you somewhere to start in your reading selection. These are readings that have been suggested by faculty and staff of the department, as well as by teaching assistants. These readings are in no way endorsed by us, but are instead offered as helpful suggestions from members of our department.

Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover

1. Chapter 17
2. Chapter 18

Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehsi Coates

The Management of Grief by Bharati Mukherjee

Rules of the Game by Amy Tan

“The Abuelita Poem” by Paul Martinez Pompa “Sonrisas” by Pat Mora

Welcome to Your Authentic Indian Experience by Rebecca Roanhorse

"I'm Not the Indian You Had in Mind"

The Black Experience in Graphic Design