Overview                      The Diversity and Design course focuses on the relationship of design to the changing nature of our society in the U.S. It examines the history and diversity of cultural experiences and their attendant design issues. Specifically, the course concentrates on the ways in which our physical and media environments affect various populations in the U.S. and, in turn, the ways these populations have affected our environments. It introduces students to eight issues of diversity: race, ethnicity, gender, class, age, physical characteristics, cognitive characteristics, and religion. Writings, films, products, graphics, electronic media, buildings and environments by and about diverse individuals and groups are examined. The history of our diverse physical and media environments are analyzed using theories and principles related to inclusive design.

Objectives                     to introduce the various design disciplines and their history, specifically in (but not limited to) the U.S.

to raise awareness of the impact of design decisions on diverse populations throughout U.S. history

to raise awareness of the specific desires and needs of various U.S. populations to build a vocabulary that demonstrates an understanding of diversity in relation

to various design methods

to analyze specific aspects of physical and visual environments keeping in mind the needs of diverse groups

to critically examine design practices in the U.S.

to use the course topics to refine critical thinking and writing skills to develop proposals for inclusive physical and visual environments

ARC 211 IS AN ONLINE UNIVERSITY GENERAL EDUCATION COURSE THAT SATISFIES THE UB DIVERSITY AND AMERICAN PLURALISM REQUIMENTS AND THE SUNY HISTORY REQUIREMENT.