ELE || Cultural Literacy & Social Justice

This ELE challenges students to be engaged, responsible members of society who understand social privilege and respect the experiences of others. Examples include:  

• Participating in a diversity-oriented scholars program such as McNair Scholars, Emerging Scholars, Multicultural Scholars Program, or the Maximizing Student Diversity (IMSD) Program
• Double majoring or minoring in Women, Gender, & Sexuality Studies; African & African-American Studies; Latin American and Caribbean Studies; or Law and Society
• Participating for 45+ hours in a committee or task force that addresses university or departmental issues of diversity and equity, or advocacy for equality and systemic change
• Assuming a leadership position for a minimum of 2 semesters with a community organization that promotes social justice through their mission and activities. Examples include, but are not limited to:
  • ​The Sunrise Project
  • Just Food
  • The Willow Domestic Violence Center
  • Justice Matters

This is not an exhaustive list of accepted experiences, so please check with your advisor if you would like to confirm whether an experience you have engaged in will fulfill the Cultural Literacy & Social Justice ELE.

Reflection question: This reflection consists of three parts: For the first paragraph, please summarize concisely what you did and the activity(ies) time commitment(s). Next, please address one of the following questions: 1.) How did this experience expand your understanding of cultural literacy and social justice as it applies to not just the organization you were affiliated with, but the broader KU and Lawrence communities? 2.) How did this experience illuminate your own personal privileges, and how will you apply that knowledge to actionable change moving forward, or 3.) How did this experience illuminate, validate, and/or center your experience as a person of color – and how did that change you? Finally, tie your experience back to your education: how has this experience shaped your learning?

Note: In order to maintain relevance and significance, your reflection should be submitted within one semester of the completion of the ELE.