Does Professor Diversity Matter in University Learning?September 19, 2018

The entertainment industry won't be the first to call out for diversity. This has been an issue in sport for some time, and the same thing could be said about the education sector. For instance, the predominating image of an educator would be a white female. No one could dispute it after recalling Muriel Sparks. As a matter of fact, this impression hardly changes after popular culture would see repeated attempts on shifting.

"Goodbye, Mr. Chips" might be a welcome change, but James Hilton based it from numerous people he knew. His father would be one of them. It may be a coincidence that Hyakken Uchida had the same thing on mind (while penning "Madadayo"). Both cases would show a patriarchal order, and there could be some truth behind it. (Anyone still remembers E. R. Braithwaite?) And these should be reminders that why the current universities would need a different face other than the white female. It might have an impact on the male students. Literature would prompt some people to ponder about the issue further.

A person of colour can affect your perception on a particular book, as seen in Chinua Achebe's works. It doesn't have to be an individual who spent his formative years in the African interior, even became old enough to observe the tribal customs that would shape the history of that continent. It should be a descendant, who would grow up in a foreign environment. It's the same thing with aboriginal authors, who pen about the awkward history of their ancestors and the first (white) settlers.

This may not be the essay topic that your professors have in mind, but it could be an interesting subject matter for a lengthy conversation. It doesn't mean that you couldn't make a passing. (There's a high chance that you would study Muriel Sparks during your second year in the university.) In fact, you can introduce the (hot) topic of diversity in your assignments, writing several paragraphs at the least. (One or two pages should be long enough.) Keep in mind that it's not about trends, but rather how gender and skin colour can change a mindset (or so you think).

Defining Diversity

Does gender (or skin color) enable students to grasp the context? Yes. Some instructors would insist that they're being impartial, but it would be impossible to do it. And there's nothing tragic about it. This partiality, depending on the degree, could make your paper more interesting than you think. Furthermore, your gender would play a major part in empathising (or becoming indifferent) to a certain character. A related issue would come to mind: Why not hire more educators? The (economic) climate would play a part, which might enforce the "white female" stereotype. You can disagree with it, but you must make sure that you won't cite any literary character as an illustration. You may want to arrange a meeting with your tutor, who could help you recall books that you read a long time ago. And the answer may be found on one of those overlooked pages.

Can gender (or skin colour) inspire you to do better? Of course not. It hardly matters if the student is remotely related to the instructor, as there's a likely chance that that student might get personal (and vent the frustration on this relative.) It won't be the same case with fictional characters. It can cost you days if you're assigned to write about it. You're about to commit a blunder if you're thinking of discussing "The Prime of Jean Brodie", as this would be misguidance (on Brodie's part). This should take you some time (before you come up with one).

Which character do you look up to? This question could keep you thinking for a while, forcing you to come up with a genuine response. You don't have to think long and hard about it, as you might want to evaluate your misconceptions right away. If you cite a character, then it may be someone you know. You would keep on repeating on your claims that this writer is like a long-lost sibling, but it's case of being carried away. It should be a character you hardly know at all, who is probably the opposite of who you are. You drawn to that individual, though. You're intrigued about the possibility of learning new things about that figure. This is supposed to be the proper approach of analysing a character.

You Must Start Somewhere

If you have a problem in concluding this exercise, then you can take a detour. You must have befriended some international students, one of whom becomes your roommate. You're a friendly teenager, perhaps eager to find a mate before the first week is over. It won't take you long to get to know each other on a certain level, even becoming comfortable with each other in a matter of weeks. And you're not too self-contained. (Some students may perceive your aloofness, even if you're not that kind of student.) What you observe here can be counted, even discuss to a certain level. It's not the genuine thing. Yet. Don't be shy about asking the opinion of your tutor, even an older personnel who is supervising the flats (that you live in). There's a start.

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