Procedures for creating and submitting an American Cultures course

• There is no “template” for an American Cultures Course.

• The Subcommittee is committed to ensuring depth and breadth of course content and applies the highest standards of college-level reading and workload.

• The Subcommittee’s expectations may be summed up by the three questions posed within the AC Course Approval Guidelines.

1. “Does the course address theoretical and analytical issues relevant to understanding race, culture, and ethnicity?” How?

2. “Is the course integrative and comparative within the larger context of American society, history, culture, economy, or environment?” How?

3. “Does the course take substantial account of groups drawn from at least three of the following: African Americans, indigenous peoples of the United States, Asian Americans, Chicanos/Latinos, and European Americans?” How is each group incorporated into the course?

• When instructors have questions about how to best develop a course and address the expectations of the Subcommittee, they should contact American Cultures Center Coordinator Victoria Robinson, Ph.D. (victoriarobbi@berkeley.edu). The Subcommittee strongly suggests that instructors consult with Dr. Robinson prior to submitting their final materials.

• In order for the Subcommittee to make a decision, instructors must submit the following:

1. A cover letter answering, in detail, the three questions from the guidelines. Cover letters should also offer details regarding the actual materials used in the classroom. For example: How do the course readings relate to the major issues surrounding the different cultures the course covers?

2. A completely developed syllabus for the course. Syllabi must include a complete list of assignments, details regarding weekly lecture/discussion topics, and a reading list.

• The Subcommittee meets once a month, on a Friday. Submissions must be received by 4pm on the MONDAY BEFORE A MEETING. Materials may be submitted directly to the Subcommittee’s staff or may be submitted c/o Dr. Robinson, who works very closely with the Subcommittee.

• Instructors will receive a response within one week of the meeting at which their syllabi were reviewed. In some cases, the Subcommittee may provide suggestions or comments and may request follow-up from the instructor before making a final decision.

• For inquiries regarding the status of a submission, contact the Subcommittee directly, c/o Senate Analyst Lili Vicente Goldsmith (lvicente@berkeley.edu).