Today the iSchool had a Curriculum Transformation workshop
to address diversity in the core curriculum. It lasted from 9:30 this morning until about 2:15 this afternoon, I think. All classes were canceled so that as many people as possible would be able to attend.
Me, I stayed home and slept until 10:00. Great,
I thought when I found out about the workshop. No 580!
I probably should have gone, but I feel no regret that I didn't. I'm graduating in just over a month, and I have no intention of coming back. I have little attachment to this school (especially in comparison to Mount Holyoke, for which I have the utmost affection). None of the changes will affect me in any way.
Maurice Green (my prof for 580, the manglement class) is behind the diversity initiative. I wish him luck, but I would be much more sympathetic if he hadn't wasted the first week of class on wibbbling about diversity rather than teaching management. Sorry man, but you can focus on diverisity without me. I'd rather sleep.
Addendum: I heard from the people who went to the workshop that the speaker was good but that the rest of it was worthless. I'm still not disappointed that I didn't go. (And as Josh pointed out, the speaker's website is supremely inaccessible. I guess he doesn't care very much about blind people.)
Jim says:
"...the speaker's website is supremely inaccessible."
I had no difficulty with access. What I had difficulty finding there was any significant diversity.
So I wonder what Professor Banks said about diversity. What core ideas did he put forth? Did he advise courses of action? If so, what? And did he say why? (Did your friends tell you?)
And what was there besides his speech, that was so much worse? Discussion? Workshops? In what way(s) did it/they fail? Curious minds want to know. (Well, one curious mind, anyway.)
Laurabelle says:
As for accessibility, check out DiveIntoAccessibility.org for an overview of accessibility concepts. On James Banks' website specifically, none of the images have alternate text, and the main content of the page is an image (with text printed on it), which is completely useless to blind people.
Josh, one of my LIS compatriots, wrote a good which answers most of your questions. If you desire further clarification, Josh himself will probably be along presently.