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In researching the changes in demographics on college campuses, both inside and outside of the classroom, I found that the inclusion of diversity is imperative to a college curriculum. As the years pass, the minority groups, once seen as underrepresented, will eventually catch up with the white race on college campuses. As a result, colleges find it important for its student body to be more aware and knowledgeable of other cultures and races. The underrepresented voice is heard and at the same time, students are becoming well-rounded individuals. The faculty members as well as the students need to have some sort of diversity inside and outside of the classroom in order to mutually have a fine learning experience. 

 

Annotated Bibliography

Pat Seurkamp, Mary. “Changing Student Demographics.” University Business: Solutions for Higher Education Management. Oct. 2007. Web. 15 Nov. 2009. <http://www.universitybusiness.com/viewarticle.aspx?articleid=905>

 

In her article, Mary Pat Seurkamp discusses the demographic changes that have occurred to change the curriculums on college campuses. Seurkamp points out that these demographic changes are caused by the increase of minorities taking the path of higher education. She finds that as the years pass, the percentage of individuals from minorities will increase, almost equal to amount of white people on college campuses. The curriculum has to change to not only accommodate their needs but to also have a succeed in college. This article shows the steps colleges have to take in order to properly adjust to the changes in demographics. If the colleges’ curriculum wouldn’t adjust to the change in demographic, the minority groups wouldn’t excel. 

 

Clayton-Pedersen, Alma R. and Caryn McTighe Musil. “Multiculturalism in Higher Education - Demographics and Debates About Inclusion, An Aerial View of National Diversity Requirements.” Education Encyclopedia. n.d. Web. 15 Nov. 2009. 

<http://education.stateuniversity.com/pages/2253/Multiculturalism-in-Higher-Education.html>

 

This article focuses on the debates about the addition of multiculturalism in the curriculums of higher education. While there are ideas that suggest that multiculturalism is necessary in a college curriculum to have those voices heard, many still believe that the learning of differences culture and diversity isn’t an imperative subject required of a higher education. Being knowledgeable and understanding of the diversity is what makes the individual well-rounded; that is one of the key objectives of an institution of higher education. The authors tend to lean more towards multicultural, offering statistics to the reader of what multiculturalism adds to the curriculum. This source gives examples of the importance of including multicultural classes in higher education for the purpose of having a well-rounded student body, not solely for the purpose of changes in demographics on college campuses.

 

Wood, Peter. “Back to School:  The Look of the Campus.” National Review Online. 3 Sept. 2003. Web. 15 Nov. 2009. 

<http://www.nationalreview.com/comment/comment-wood090303.asp>

 

In his article, Peter Wood discusses how the faculty members on college campuses view the inclusion of diversity in the curriculum. The faculty tends to want more diversity not only within the curriculum, but also in the college staff community. Wood found that the faculty found that a more diverse group of staff would promote a better experience for the students. They would be able to relate if they were also the same race or ethnicity and they would be able to teach their students something new. The diversity of the student body and faculty both create a better learning experience for everyone. The admission of individuals of minority groups tend to be somewhat less prepared for college, however, that takes nothing away from the learning experience. This article provides information more from the perspective of a faculty member. It illustrates the ways in which a professor or advisor can benefit from the diversity and demography changes.