Craig Cohen: New diversity requirement goes way too far

A few days ago, this paper reported that a proposal was in place to add a new cultural diversity requirement to the curriculum. The authors of a guest column on Tuesday explained that the requirement would be not one "monolithic 'diversity class' but rather a single requirement that draws from a variety of departments to bring together a range of courses that embody an examination and reflection of race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality and/or class in American society." It certainly seems like a noble idea, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized that this new requirement was the wrong way to go about promoting those grandiose notions of cultural relativism.

I'm all for acknowledging diversity, but forcing kids to take a class in it is not the best way to go about teaching it. Sectors I, II and III already offer a host of classes that deal with the aforementioned cultural issues. The students behind this proposal keep suggesting that this course is not mandatory and it can double count for a variety of other classes.

So let me see if I get this straight. No new academic courses are being introduced, and whatever course you take can double-count for some other requirement. Then what's the point? Changing the status quo for the sake of changing it does not make any sense. If you tell kids they have to take a diversity class, the great majority of those who are not interested will find some easy class late in the day like many do for the quantitative data analysis one. How will that help?

I understand the concern that students do not get enough cultural immersion at Penn and the voices of minorities are not often heard, but this new proposal is too big a knee-jerk reaction to a situation that is blown out of proportion. Penn may be homogenous, but it's silly to say that there is no interaction with minority students on a regular basis.

This university makes a conscious effort to bring minorities into the student body so Penn students become immersed in cultures besides their own. Assuming that if a student does not take this new class they will be forever doomed to a world of cultural misunderstanding is foolish. If a student really wants to learn about the plight of minorities in the classroom, then they will pursue that route.

It is not the business of this university to impose a desired social norm on the academic body through a mandatory requirement. Promoting the ideals of "race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality and/or class in American society" is a job that would be better left to the clubs of this school. As of now, there are 70 SAC-recognized clubs designated as "cultural and support" groups. Instead of looking to change the curriculum, more attention could be placed on raising awareness of these clubs.

Have cultural-awareness fairs or other general information sessions to attract people's interest. If you do a good enough job of that, then people will be inspired to learn about all those causes you hold dear. Increased awareness through means external to the academic curriculum would be a much better way to achieve those same goals of cultural awareness than imposing a new braggadocio requirement on the student body as a whole.

Attempting to force your ideals on the rest of the community simply because you do not feel your cause is getting enough attention is unfair and arrogant. I could use the same argument that as a member of the debate team, public speaking is a dying art. Therefore, the University should mandate that all kids take public-speaking classes in order to perform better in society. Yet such a proposal is ludicrous because studying public speaking is not for everyone. Who am I to impose my ideals on anyone else?

A far better way to solve the problem would be to create a specialized major. Penn already has a rich history of creating joint majors -- PPE and BBB to name a few. Such a focused program would allow you to synthesize all the courses you want into a new customized major that would allow students to study diversity in depth. A cultural diversity department could even be founded. That way students who want to learn about diversity and cultural relativism can do so in a much more concentrated environment.

It would be nice if students could take a sampling of courses in every department, but there is not enough time to enforce such a goal. However, this does not give people the right to demand that students take a course in something they believe to be important simply because their cause is not getting enough attention. The writers of Tuesday's column explained that this new requirement is essential because "ultimately, our understanding and awareness of each other are at stake." It's too bad they don't understand that people should have a right to sculpt their education however they see fit. Craig Cohen is a Wharton sophomore from Woodbury, N.Y. He Hate Me appears on Fridays.

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