Editor's Introduction

Abstract

Demographic changes in the United States, increased student interest, and creative research and scholarship have led many colleges and universities to introduce multiculturalism and diversity into curricular requirements and course content. The significance and complexity of such issues require that research, scholarship, and teaching be interdisciplinary. Teaching multiculturalism and diversity courses requires consideration of five factors: course content and readings, the students and what they believe and value, the strengths and weaknesses of the faculty, the intellectual tools that will enable students to grasp issues at a sophisticated level, and the classroom dynamics within which these factors are woven together in the creation of an effective course.