DEI Syllabus Statements
Instructors may opt to include statements of diversity, equity, and inclusion in their syllabi. Such statements can help establish a welcoming tone and demonstrate what an instructor values in the learning environment.
Starting Questions
The Sheridan Center for Teaching and Learning at Brown University recommends that you consider the following questions when you develop a diversity statement:
- What are your discipline's conventions and assumptions? How might students with varying backgrounds respond to them?
- What role does your respect for and engagement with diversity in the classroom play in your personal teaching philosophy?
- What positive learning outcomes can come from respecting difference in the classroom? How can you highlight these?
- What do you want your students to know about your expectations regarding creating and maintaining a classroom space where differences are respected and valued?
- Is your statement inclusive of different types of diversity, including, but not limited to: race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic status, religion, and disability?
- Which campus resources would you like to direct your students to for further support?
- What kind of classroom environment would your students like to see? How might you include them in the conversation about standards for classroom civility?
Examples of DEI-Related Syllabus Statements
The following examples came from Northwestern University faculty members.
Statement of Inclusivity
This course strives to be an inclusive learning community, respecting those of differing backgrounds and beliefs. As a community, we aim to be respectful to all students in this class, regardless of race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, religion, gender identity or sexual orientation.
CHEM215 (Fall 2021)
Dr. Stephanie Knezz, Department of Chemistry
Gender Pronouns
This course affirms all gender expressions and gender identities. There will be a survey administered at the beginning of the quarter asking that you provide the name and pronouns that you use (which is entirely optional). This information will be given to your TA in their rosters. Prof. Knezz and your TA welcome you to correct us on your name or gender pronoun if a mistake is made. If you have concerns, please contact Prof. Knezz in person or by email, whatever is most comfortable for you.
CHEM215 (Fall 2021)
Dr. Stephanie Knezz, Department of Chemistry
Medill Diversity & Inclusion Statement
The diversity of students, faculty and staff at the Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications has been a source of innovation, excellence and leadership throughout our history.
Today, Medill continues its commitment to creating an inclusive environment and to providing equity in opportunities regarding research, teaching, administration and student services. Medill is dedicated to creating a socially just community by strengthening policies, developing programs, and fostering acceptance for a broad range of communities and concepts. We aim to welcome students, staff and faculty from diverse backgrounds and support them so they may thrive in our community. Diversity and inclusion are also essential to the professional skills we teach in preparing our students for careers in media.
Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications
The Importance of Diversity and Inclusion for Journalists
Professional journalists routinely seek to include a balanced range of voices and perspectives in their reporting – often reflecting two or more sides to a story, especially in the coverage of sensitive or controversial stories.
Equally vital is diversity among the journalists who gather news and decide how to present it. The more diverse their backgrounds, the more probing coverage can be.
Including a range of voices and backgrounds among sources and journalists themselves can effectively inform audiences on a deeper level. This can spur constructive action and positive social change, and it has the potential to encourage diversity, inclusion and acceptance in society as a whole.
Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications
The Importance of Diversity and Inclusion for Integrated Marketing Communications Professionals
Understanding consumers is key to integrated marketing communications. In an increasingly global and complex society, marketers strive to develop deep knowledge of and insight into the perspectives of diverse markets and cultures.
By considering the range of values, backgrounds and identities of an audience, marketing communications professionals help clients maximize the relevance of their brands in the global marketplace by developing products and services that respond to diverse interests and stakeholders. An inclusive and comprehensive understanding of consumers enables marketers to communicate with audiences directly and engage them meaningfully.
Diverse perspectives among marketing communications professionals themselves is also important. Diversified teams that honor each member’s unique contributions and collaborate with mutual respect are in turn better able to engage and communicate with consumers who have a wide range of interests and perspectives.
Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications
Diversity of Discussion
Our classroom will be a supportive and professional environment.
I’m firmly committed to facilitating an inclusive learning environment even in these extraordinary circumstances. Each student has something of value to contribute, and in that spirit, I encourage everyone to participate. I recognize, however, that our varied perspectives and experiences can sometimes make open and honest dialogue difficult, especially online.
We will read, watch and listen to stories that will challenge your views and tackle difficult and sensitive topics. As we explore this material, we must take care to respect the individual backgrounds, personal identities, and differing intellectual approaches that we each bring to our learning inside and outside the classroom.
Even if you do not agree, you are expected to be respectful, whether our communication is via video, in chats, discussion boards or in person. I encourage you to speak with me directly if you have any concerns.
Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications