In my intro neuroscience class this semester I provided a reading assignment about systemic racism in neuroscience. I’m sharing here a very long thread about this experience, what I learned & some of the responses from students. There were approximately 98 students enrolled. 1/13

— Serafine Laboratory (@SerafineLab) December 16, 2020

Curated Course Structures and Components

• Full Courses & Syllabi
  • #blacklivesmatter library, teaching, activism, and community resource list has a syllabus section among other resources
  • This University of St. Thomas library guide includes links to topical syllabi from the Minnesota Uprising Syllabus to #Immigration Syllabus and more

• Assignments & Lesson Plans
  • Setting the Tone: This step is essential for courses that will include conversations about equity. This Michigan LSA, Getting Started with Inclusive Teaching includes activities for creating guidelines for discussion, welcoming the use of gender pronouns and other markers of identity, and engaging other best practices.
  • Teaching about Race in the US: 
    • Project READY, Module 2: History of Race and Racism This is a fully developed online module, after which, learners will be able to "Describe how and why the concept of race was developed.  Explain how the concept of race was applied throughout history in ways that advantaged white people and disadvantaged people of color and Native people. Outline how historical advantages and disadvantages based on race have accumulated to create and maintain the racial inequities we observe today. Connect historical events and trends to your own personal and family history.
    • National Museum of African American History and Culture, Talking About Race Also has fully developed materials, including definitions, videos, reflection questions, etc. for educators who care about their "students' racial consciousness and want to develop their racial awareness."
    • Racial Equity Tools offers tools, research, tips, curricula and ideas for people who want to increase their own understanding and to help those working toward justice at every level – in systems, organizations, communities and the culture at large.

• Other Resources
  • Michigan LSA, Incorporating Language About Gender-Based Violence and Sexual Abuse Into Your Course Syllabus
  • ACUE Inclusive Teaching Practices Toolkit  includes "10 inclusive teaching practices that can be immediately put to use to benefit both faculty and their students."  
  • Center for Teaching and Learning Inclusive Teaching and Learning Page 

Curated Relevant Content

Read

• Tuitt, F., Haynes, C., Steward, S. (2018). Transforming the Classroom at Traditionally White Institutions to Make Black Lives Matter. To Improve the Academy: A Journal of Educational Development, 37(1).
• Thurber, A., Harbin, M.B., & Bandy, J. (2019). Teaching Race: Pedagogy and Practice. Vanderbilt University Center for Teaching. Retrieved [8/23/2020].
• Cole, C.E. Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy in Higher Education: Teaching so That Black Lives Matter. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: An International Journal, vol. 36, no. 8, 2017, pp. 736–750.
• Patton, L. D. (2016). Race, equity, and the learning environment: The global relevance of critical and inclusive pedagogies in Higher Education. Stylus Publishing, LLC. (available as a WashU electronic resource)
• Brookfield, S. D. (2015). The skillful teacher: On technique, trust, and responsiveness in the classroom. John Wiley & Sons. (available in the WashU library)
• Ginsberg, M. B., & Wlodkowski, R. J. (2009). Diversity and motivation: Culturally responsive teaching in college. John Wiley & Sons. (available in the WashU library)
• Hales, K. G. (2020). Signaling Inclusivity in Undergraduate Biology Courses through Deliberate Framing of Genetics Topics Relevant to Gender Identity, Disability, and Race. CBE—Life Sciences Education, 19(2), es2.
• Sue, D. W. (2016). Race talk and the conspiracy of silence: Understanding and facilitating difficult dialogues on race. John Wiley & Sons.

Listen

• 1619 Project Podcast

• Whose Streets? (available in the WashU library)
• Race: The Power of an Illusion (available in the WashU library)

Experience

• Check out more opportunities to learn and engage at the Academy for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion