http://www1.umn.edu/ohr/teachlearn/index.html
A few thoughts:
- Smack-dab on the front page we are offered the opportunity to fine tune our accents. Click the link and it seems harmless enough, but I was immediately struck by the singling out of foreign national instructors. I question whether this is a genuine concern of the CTL or a response to the larger political questions on immigration and representations of foreigners in American media and popular culture. In other words, is this truly a pedagogical issue or a cultural issue?
In this course do we teach speakers of Spanish why some Americans have such an aversion to the use of "their" language in public institutions? Does the use of the term "accent" single out the Asian-speaking population? Questions that cannot be answered before following up with the individual instructors, of course, but questions sparked by the appearance of this course information on the front page of the Web site nonetheless.
-There are Multicultural Teaching and Learning Fellowship opportunities available to faculty and instructors, as well as established communities for mid-career faculty women and coeds. At first glance the appearance of these links demonstrates inclusion of oppressed groups, however upon further investigation it seems the groups are reserved for associate and full professors (elites) only. The fellowship seems relatively progressive, however the link for information is buried near the bottom of the Faculty and Instructors page.
- Under the "About the Center for Teaching and Learning" page nowhere is there mention of a commitment to diversity, multiculturalism, or democratic teaching methods. In fact, what is mentioned is a vision that emphasizes "scholarly" teaching.
-How well do you feel this page represents you as an instructor at the University of Minnesota?
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