Designing a Culturally Relevant Humanities Curriculum

FAIN: AE-264268-19

Triton College (River Grove, IL 60171-1907)
Elizabeth Collins (Project Director: July 2018 to June 2023)

A three-year project aimed at developing humanities courses that reflect Latino/a history and culture.

Like many HSIs, we must make the transition from Hispanic “enrolling” to Hispanic “serving.” To address this problem, we are creating a new streamlined humanities curriculum through a guided pathways model that will be culturally relevant and reflective of, and relevant to, our institution's rapidly increasing Hispanic student population while also preparing them to engage effectively in a global society. Further, the new humanities curriculum will be informed by practices of diversity and representation to ensure the content will be reflective of the background of understanding of this student body. Both practices are consistent with evidenced-based research in higher education and have demonstrated benefits for underrepresented, first-generation, and low-income students.

Associated Products

"Uncovering the Past: How Trans History Was Made." (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: "Uncovering the Past: How Trans History Was Made."
Abstract: "Uncovering the Past: How Trans History Was Made." How do the stories of marginalized communities become history? It used to be the case that only the powerful decided what counted as history. But this is no longer true. In this presentation, Dr. Elizabeth Collins interviews Dr. Catherine Jacquet who recounts how professional historians began to record the stories of trans individuals and organizations. The story begins with the trans activists themselves who not only stood up for their rights, but also made record of their struggles and accomplishments. Join Zoom to learn about how the process of recording history has become more inclusive and expansive as you learn about the lives of activists who changed history.
Author: Catherine Jacquet
Author: Elizabeth Collins
Date: 04/21/2021
Location: Triton event on Zoom
Primary URL: http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PL-2gYcUWDs
Primary URL Description: YouTube link to presentation

Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me: A Discussion about Navigating College as a First-Generation/Marginalized College Student (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me: A Discussion about Navigating College as a First-Generation/Marginalized College Student
Abstract: What do first generation and marginalized students need in order to be successful in college? How can you manage conflicting feelings or a sense of feeling out of place? In this presentation, Dr. Elizabeth Collins speaks with our guest, educator and activist, Dr. Yvette DeChavez. Dr. DeChavez offers expert insight and support directly to students who want to learn about how to advocate for themselves and to thrive in the college environment. Students will have the chance to talk with Dr. DeChavez during the presentation. Join us on Zoom for a powerful hour of insight, support, and inclusive conversation. Dr. Yvette DeChavez is a Latinx artist, recovering academic, and writer from San Antonio, Texas. A first-generation college graduate, she earned a PhD in Literature from the University of Texas at Austin. Her research and activism centers QTBIPOC by way of literature and implementing anti-racist and anti-colonial teaching practices.For more information about Dr. D Chavez please visit: https://yvettedechavez.com
Author: Yvette DeChavez
Author: Elizabeth Collins
Date: 09/27/2021
Location: Zoom for Triton college
Primary URL: https://youtu.be/6UcnaIhgQUs
Primary URL Description: Link to program on YouTube

Change Together: A symposium with Faculty and Students (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: Change Together: A symposium with Faculty and Students
Abstract: Change Together: A symposium with Faculty and Students Oct 18, 12:30-2:00 pm in the Cafeteria- B Buidling This event is for students, faculty, campus staff, and is open to the public. Text: This event brings students and faculty together to share information and insights about building better classrooms and improving the college experience on campus for EVERY student! We are celebrating the culmination of the National Endowment for the Humanities grant where select faculty built new courses which offer Human Diversity credit for students. The new courses are intended to give students more course choices where the topics discussed include global perspectives, Latinx, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ voices, as well as inclusive classroom practices. But faculty can't make changes alone. We want to hear from Trtiton students about the educational changes they envision will make their education more personally meaningful and relevant to their lives! The Change Together symposium will open with Comments from the project director, Dr. Elizabeth Collins. We will look at some student survey responses and then faculty members will each take the floor to talk about how they have made changes in their classrooms to empower students. Professor Gail Krahenbuhl (English): The Anti-Racist Classroom Professor Lisa Samra (Speech and Theater): Maximizing Student Choice in a Collaborative Classroom Professor Maxi Armas (Spanish/ Humanities): Why Triton needs Latinx and Latin American Studies Dr. Christina Brophy (History/ Humanities): Centering Marginalized Voices in the Classroom And while we are all together, students will have a chance to discuss together the ideas they have about how classroom can become places where they are seen, heard, respected, and offered an education that serves their higher goals! The faculty intend to take your ideas and share them to help build a better classroom and campus experience for everyone. Please join us and add your voice and your vision to this impo
Author: Christina Brophy
Author: Maxi Armas
Author: Gail Krahenbuhl
Author: Lisa Samra
Author: Elizabeth Collins
Date: 10/18/2022
Location: Triton College Campus and Zoom
Primary URL: https://youtu.be/cACDxOA4PT8
Primary URL Description: Link to youTube

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