Cultural Diversity Course (CDIV) Definition

Courses designated as CDIV are those courses that are fundamentally concerned with exploring the contemporary or historical experiences of underrepresented or marginalized peoples.  These courses give voice to world cultures whose origins lie outside the western tradition, principally Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America.  Courses that treat the experience of ethnic minority populations in the United States, as well as topical courses on ethnicity, contemporary poverty, minority religions, gender, and gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (GLBTQ) identity, may also be granted the CDIV designation. 

All students are required to take six units in Cultural Diversity. An appreciation of cultural diversity is an important aspect of NDNU's social justice mission and CDIV courses are concerned with exploring cultural difference in a mindful effort to advance this aspect of our mission.  Cultural diversity is integral to CDIV courses and cultural diversity content is presented throughout the course.  Therefore, the number of CDIV units awarded for any course will equal the total number of units of that course (for example, any 3-unit CDIV course will be worth 3 CDIV units). Cultural Diversity courses may be used also to fulfill other Core Curriculum requirements (except Culture and Language) or requirements within the major.  (Students in BS programs may not use Culture and Language courses to fulfill both the Culture and Language Requirement and the Cultural Diversity requirement.) Courses fulfilling this requirement carry the notation [CDIV] after their titles. Check the course descriptions in this Catalog and the listings in each semester's class schedule.