THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT ASHEVILLE
                         FACULTY SENATE 

                                                             
Senate Document Number   1897S
Date of Senate Approval  3/20/97

Statement of Faculty Senate Action:
------------------------------------------------------

APC Document 14: Community Dialogue Courses in Interdisciplinary
                 Studies

Effective Date:  Fall 1997

Add:  p. 142, following IST 301 Western Attitudes Toward Death
and Dying.

     IST 311   Seminar on Race and Diversity in Institutional
Settings (1)

     A community-based seminar on the issues of race and
diversity in various institutional contexts.  Topics such as
racial attitudes and perceptions, race and institutional
structures, organizational support systems for minorities, and
diversity programs will be studied.   Course graded on a
pass-fail basis.  May be repeated one additional time for credit. 
Course offered on demand.

Impact Statement:  The addition of IST 311 will require no new
faculty.  Existing faculty at UNCA will teach it.  As a
one-credit elective it will not impact any current major, minor,
or University program, nor will it impact any current University
requirements.

Rationale:  The University's Mission Statement makes a commitment
"to a liberating education emphasizing the central role of humane
values in thought and action, the free and rigorous pursuit of
truth, and a respect for differing points of view and heritage. 
It aims to develop men and women of broad perspective who think
critically and creatively and who communicate effectively"
(Catalog 1996-97, p. iv).  IST 311 serves just this purpose
within the context of UNCA's mission as the state's public
liberal arts university.  At this moment in the history of higher
education, IST 311 offers our students several opportunities: 
students will engage in discussions leading to an understanding
of the complexities of institutional diversity;  they will have
powerful contact both with UNCA faculty, administration and
staff, and with members of the larger community, which will give
them experience in how critical thinking takes shape in the world
inside and outside the academy;  and they will begin to take
ownership of the process of promoting diversity as a part of the
liberal arts mission of UNCA.  IST 311 offers an experiential
format for the exploration of race and racism, which can be of
great benefit for other courses offered by the University on
complementary themes.  Response to the current special-topics
course IST 371:  "Opening Doors--A Dialogue on Race in the
Institution" has been significant and shows no sign of abating: 
adding this course to the catalog will satisfy what students
already perceive to be an important University need. 

Effective Date:  Fall 1997

Add:  p. 142, following the proposed IST 311  Seminar on Race and
Diversity in Institutional Settings.

     IST 321   Peer Facilitation of Community Interracial
Dialogue (1)

     This course offers training in and the experience of
facilitating community dialogue on the issues of race and
diversity in various institutional contexts. 
Student-facilitators will assist IST 311 seminar participants in
exploring the problems and themes presented in the course. 
Prerequisite:  IST 311 and permission of instructor.  Course
graded on a pass-fail basis.  May be repeated one additional time
for credit.  Course offered on demand.

Impact Statement:  The addition of IST 321 will require no new
faculty.  Existing faculty at UNCA will teach and supervise this
course.  As a one-credit elective it will not impact any current
major, minor, or University program, nor will it impact any
current University requirements.

Rationale:  IST 321, Peer Facilitation of Community Interracial
Dialogue, offers students the opportunity to put their ideas into
action.  As UNCA's Mission Statement argues, "The University is
committed to serving the community in ways that complement its
educational mission....The ultimate aim of the University is to
provide students the best possible opportunity to acquire the
skills, knowledge, and understanding necessary to pursue their
goals, to find meaning in their lives, and to take their place as
contributing citizens of a changing society" (Catalog 1996-97, p.
v).  IST 321 will draw students from the Opening Doors experience
(IST 311), who are committed to the concept of community action
as a fundamental component of a liberal education.  IST 321
provides a rigorous training in the skills and issues involved in
peer facilitation, so that students--paired with other trained
facilitators--will take a central role in guiding small-group
discussion of race and race relations in institutional settings. 
As with IST 311, the goal of IST 321 is to present students with
the opportunity to take ownership of the process of exploring and
promoting diversity at UNCA.