The University Senate at the University of Connecticut has voted to create a social justice requirement in the university’s curriculum. The new social justice requirement focuses on the one-credit “Anti-Black Racism” course that has been offered as an elective since the 2021-22 academic year. The new requirement will be in effect beginning in the 2024-25 academic year.
The Senate’s Common Curriculum Committee is working with the provost to form an implementation subcommittee for the new requirement. Several senators mentioned the possibility of offering multiple courses to fulfill the social justice requirement. The Anti-Black Racism course has already inspired and provided a template for other pop-up courses, including “Why the Jews? Confronting Antisemitism” and “Confronting Anti-Asian Racism.” These courses have the potential to build on and extend the foundation established by the Anti-Black Racism course and help the university strive for a more equitable and inclusive university and broader society, according to a university statement.
Ann D’Alleva, provost at the University of Connecticut, stated that the “University of Connecticut stands strong in opposing racism and all forms of discrimination. An education at our university must provide many opportunities to confront the history and current reality of injustice and human rights abuses, and we expect our students to be leaders in creating a more just and equitable world. ABR and the curricular changes that are in development are a powerful point of departure from the status quo.”
