Critical Analyses of US and Global Cultures
The Division for Equity and Inclusion posits that inclusive excellence requires a healthy and inclusive campus climate and refers to the processes by which the University leverages diversity as its’ strength to enhance an understanding and connection with diverse communities, ensure the success of all UNM students, and advance the academic enterprise.
The stated aim of the 3-credit "Critical Analyses of US and Global Cultures" undergraduate degree requirement is to cultivate a critical analysis about the cultures, histories, and/or current circumstances of social groups who have experienced historic or contemporary differential treatment in the U.S. or in a global context.
Please visit the Gen Ed Page to search for any Critical Analyses of US and Global Cultures course from 2014 to the present.
For Faculty and Instructors
What is a Critical Analyses of US and Global Cultures (CAC) Course?
First and foremost, a CAC course is a course that is listed and identified as such in the catalog. Accordingly, it is also a course that is approved by the Alza Council Curriculum Subcommittee (ACCS) and has completed the approval process in the curriculum workflow process in Kuali. Additionally, the table below defines four other terms that are named differently due to their distinct situation:
| Varied Terms | Definition |
| Approved CAC course | A cataloged course that is approved by the Alza Council Curriculum Subcommittee (ACCS) and has completed the approval process in the curriculum workflow process in Kuali. It is scheduled to be listed as a CAC course in the next catalog year for six years. |
| To-be-approved CAC course | A cataloged course that is approved of its CAC status by the ACCS and is pending its final approval in the curriculum workflow in Kuali. |
| Expired CAC course | A CAC course that has passed its six-year limit. It is no longer identified in the catalog as a CAC course. |
| To-be-expired CAC course | A CAC course that is about to lose its CAC status because it is reaching the end of its 6-year term. |
Required Content of a Critical Analyses of US and Global Cultures Course
A CAC course covers one or more of the following topics:
- Ageism
- Ableism and disablism
- The Americans with Disability Act (1990)
- Citizenship, nationality, or transnationalism
- Structural differential treatment of any social groups
- Nativism, ethnocentrism or xenophobia
- Human rights
- Life struggles through the socio-politico-economic lens
- Power & the use of power
- The use of language
- Faith-based practices in the world
Student Learning Outcomes of a CAC Course
A CAC course meets at least three of the following five student learning outcomes—students will:
- Analyze (not simply describe), evaluate, and/or interpret social issues in historical or contemporary U.S. society or in the global context from multiple perspectives while reflecting on their lived experiences, social location, identity, or social position.
- Explain or analyze the dynamics of social, political, & economic issues in a historical and/or contemporary context and how they impact the larger social structures and shape individual lives.
- Explain or analyze the strategies for change by a social group in society when facing differential treatment propagated by a system, institution, or society.
- Describe or explain the degree of access to social institutions that is granted to any social group in the U.S. and/or in the global context.
- Describe and explain the differential treatment between various groups by social institutions in the US and/or in the global context.
The CAC Course Application Process
- The Syllabus Checklist is no longer in use.
- The CAC course application is now online.
- The CAC course application is now accepted and reviewed at any time throughout the year.
- The proposed course will be listed as a CAC course in the catalog of the upcoming academic year when the application is submitted online by September 1, approved by the ACCS by October 1, and approved in the curriculum workflow in Kuali by October 31.
- All approved CAC courses will be identified in the catalog as such for six years after first listed in the catalog, not from the date it is approved by the Subcommittee.
- For a CAC course to continue its uninterrupted CAC status, it is necessary that the department submit a CAC course renewal request at least one academic year prior to the expiration of its CAC course status. The renewal process is the same as a new CAC course application.
- According to UNM policy, when a cataloged course (including any CAC courses) is not offered for 8 continuous semesters, it will be placed in the “sunset status” in Banner and removed from the catalog the following academic year.
When Submitting Your Application
Before you submit your online application, please have the following information ready:
- The syllabus in PDF format.
- The learning materials such as their full citation or a description of learning activities of at least three of the above five student learning outcomes.
- The assessment tools for the same student learning ourcomes selected under #2.
The online application process takes about 45 minutes. If not completed in one sitting, you can return to it within 72 hours.
Please submit your application here.
Alza Council Curriculum Subcommittee (ACCS)
The Alza Council Curriculum Subcommittee (ACCS) is a subcommittee of the Alza Council that focuses on the curriculum of a CAC course. Its members are voting members of the Faculty Senate that meet two of the following three criteria:
- Have taught a CAC course or any courses that cover one or more of the topics covered in a CAC course.
- Hold a record of scholarly contributions, research, and/or publications in any of the topics covered in a CAC course and be proficient in the SLOs of a CAC course or demonstrate their expertise in any of the topics covered in a CAC course as a practitioner such as a lecturer, an instructor or a clinical educator and be proficient in the SLOs of a CAC course.
- Have a record of intersectionality curriculum or practice in culturally responsive pedagogy, trauma-based pedagogy, inclusive pedagogy or pedagogy of care that advances the SLOs pertaining to the Critical Analyses of US and Global Cultures Course Criteria.
The Subcommittee meets regularly and is charged to review and approve CAC course applications.
