I've been asked if I'm interested in teaching the SEAM section of Rhetoric 1101, with the theme of Identity and Multiculturalism. I taught it last Fall and loved it, but didn't know if the College would want me to teach it again. Knowing that they do makes my day. :D
I'm Clancy Ratliff, an associate professor in the Department of English at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where I am also the Assistant Director of First-Year Writing. I'm married with three children.
See my vita to find out more about where I've been and what I've done.
Email me: clancy.ratliff, gmail
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Clancy Ratliff.
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Comments
Multiculturalism or segregation?
It's somewhat questionable that any university would attempt to promote "Identity and Multiculturalism" by further segregating students who are likely minorities into a separate class. (Students who check any of the "non white" boxes in the "ethnicity" section of their UMN application are automatically enrolled in the SEAM program, therefore the vast majority are minorities) This is counterproductive. Such a class discourages "multiculturalism" and could easily be less diverse than the mainstream.
Minorities tend to be very rich in culture on their own, wouldn't they be much better served by participating in a class that doesn't call attention to their differences, where they can share their culture, where they can learn to adapt and succeed in a truly "multicultural" environment?
It's certainly an honor to be selected for such a position. Be proud of this. Just be sure to consider again what the position symbolizes and the harm it may cause to the students you serve, and even the students you won't serve.
Maybe this is an opportunity for a young leader (and skilled rhetorician) to distinguish herself before a bureaucracy that is afflicted with poor reasoning.
-Sepp
Minority of One
Very, very often this environment is comprised of 21 white students and one student of color, who does not want to "share [his or her] culture" because it would be tokenism. One of the things the SEAM program aims to do is create a safe space in which to talk about race, ethnicity, identity, and multiculturalism, and if you're a minority of one, it is all that much harder to discuss texts about multiculturalism and race with your 21 white classmates--not to mention that universities in general are white and Eurocentric in their focus.
minority of one
if anyone can create a safe space in which to talk about race, ethnicity, identity, and multiculturalism, it's you--the U. should be made to feel at ease knowing that they have competent and compassionate instructors such as yourself on staff.
*gasp* thanks!
Wow, Amy, that means a lot coming from you, thanks. (Amy consistently gets stellar teaching evaluations--about a standard deviation above mine, for sure. And it's so easy for her: it seems to come naturally.)
Congrats, Clancy. I'm excited
Congrats, Clancy. I'm excited for you!