The world is an ever-changing place and Keene State’s history curriculum has had to adjust accordingly.
According to the New York Institute of Technology, “diversity is represented by a mosaic of unique individuals from a variety of racial, ethnic, religious, gender, gender presentation, sexuality, geographic, cultural, age, abilities, and socioeconomic groups.”
The history curriculum has changed over the years to cover different cultures’ histories from around the world. This is done to avoid fixating on Western history and stories, as History Department Chair Graham Warder explained history is about many different groups of people.
Warder explained the history courses currently available at Keene State.
“The history department tries to make it as flexible as possible for our students, many of whom are double majors,” Warder said. “We certainly believe in academic freedom and we support our students getting diverse perspectives. History is not just about famous white men. You can’t teach history without discussing African Americans, Native Americans, immigrants, women and other minorities. As for what I bring to the program, I teach about the history of disability.”
When asked about possible improvements that could be made to the program, Warder expressed what he thought could be added to make the history program more inclusive.
“I think there is a hole, and that would be Asian history. An eventual hire in Asian history would be helpful,” Warder said.
The Mason Library is bringing a speaker from China to talk on November 21 at the Marion Wood Reading Room.
Dottie Morris, the vice president for Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (DEI), also shared her feelings about changing the curriculum to be more inclusive.
“I think learning a wide range of information about different groups would be enriching and help our school be more diverse,” Morris said. “There are some departments that are actively working on their curriculum. I’ve seen it in several areas.”
Morris elaborated on what the goal of such changes would be.
“We want to make sure our students are ready to work in a global world,” she explained. “A diverse world. I think it will benefit our faculty, as well. Once our students get exposed it helps the faculty and staff broaden their own worldview.”
Chloe Erno can be contacted at
cerno@kscequinox.com
