Appendix Id: Curriculum
Note: see also the attachment on current SFSU faculty with teaching or research interests in Arab and Islamic cultures
Throughout its meetings, much of the focus of the subcommittee has been on the need for a centralized curriculum at San Francisco State that addresses the Arab and Islamic cultures and civilizations, and their complex histories both in the United States and globally. The consensus opinion was that such a program would facilitate the development of curricula that would meet the growing demand on campus for scholarship about Arab and Islamic cultures. Additionally, it would help create an atmosphere of spirited engagement among current faculty with an interest in these areas and be a place for students to engage in learning about Arab and Islamic cultures in a way that is more integrated.
Vision
We envision an interdisciplinary program in Arab and Islamic Studies, anchored by core faculty housed in the College of Ethnic Studies, whose primary responsibility is within the program, and would work in consultation with faculty from other departments and colleges to develop curricula and other programs.
The curriculum would include Arab/Muslim American as well as Arab/Muslim Diaspora studies, Arabic, Farsi, and Turkish languages and literatures, Arab and Islamic cultures, media representation, women and gender issues in the Muslim and Arab world. The curriculum would focus on the Islamic world generally, including its peoples and cultures that are not Muslim.
Mission
The program would serve the academic charge of the University to teach and develop scholarship in an area that is currently underrepresented and that is needed, based on an assessment of the intellectual scope of the University curriculum and the academic needs of our student body and faculty. It would encourage indigenous and critical perspectives in Arab and Islamic Studies distinct from the traditional Euro-centric perspective taught at most universities. It would assist Arabs and Muslims in studying their own cultures, others in learning about cultures that encompass billions of the world's population, and the University as a whole by anchoring instruction in one of the world's larger and older intellectual traditions. Congruent with the mission of the University, the program will be responsive to the broader community.
Recommendations for Implementation
Strong academic programs in Arab and Islamic studies, as well as Jewish studies, can play an important role in broadening students understand and respect for these cultures, and provide opportunities for cross cultural studies when appropriate In both co-curricular and interdisciplinary programs. To accomplish this vision and mission, we recommend the hiring of two faculty members, with specialties in Arabs and Muslims in America and in the Arab and Muslim Diaspora. This is based on the subcommittee identification of an area that is not represented among the current faculty and the faculty now being hired-the experience of Muslim people, and especially Arab people, in the United States.
These faculty members would be housed in the College of Ethnic Studies and their primary responsibility would be within the program. They would develop a minor program in Arab/Muslim American Studies as well as lead the creation of the B.A. degree program in Arab and Islamic cultures. The initial minor program would address the impact of Arab and Islamic cultures on the Muslim world and the Arab Diaspora in North America, as well as their impact on multiculturalism in the United States. These faculty members would use the now existing, as well as future curricular offerings at SFSU, for a strong interdisciplinary focus. They would draw on affiliated faculty from a range of departments and colleges to contribute relevant expertise.
In the meantime, we recommend the prompt development of a proposal for a General Education Segment III cluster on the Islamic world, with the understanding that the hiring of additional faculty members shall bring modifications of the proposal in order to incorporate the specialties of those newly hired faculty members.
The initial minor program would encourage an understanding of the importance of Arab and Islamic cultures for US multiculturalism by recognizing the massive presence of immigrants and diasporic communities from the Muslim and Arab world. Having such a program housed in the College of Ethnic Studies is especially attractive to the subcommittee because of that college's historic commitment to community service.
The subcommittee notes with appreciation that the community representatives on the subcommittee expect that, once two such appointments have been made, it will be possible to raise funds in the community to endow a chair in Arab and Islamic Studies.
Process of the Task Force
After initial discussions on this topic, the subcommittee considered the Colleges of Ethnic Studies, Behavioral and Social Sciences, and Humanities as potential homes for the proposed program. The committee met with their respective Deans, Dean Tomas Almaguer, Dean Joel Kassiola, and Dean Paul Sherwin. Members of the subcommittee also met with the Ethnic Studies College Council and individual department and program faculties in that college.
In his meeting with the Subcommittee, Dean Kassiola reviewed the plans that he and President Corrigan made in Fall 2001 for a cluster of hires in various departments within Behavioral and Social Sciences, all focused on the Islamic world in order to fill obvious gaps in the University curriculum. One of the hires in History was completed in Spring 2002. Three searches are currently in progress, in International Relations, Political Science, and a joint appointment in Anthropology and Psychology.
In meeting with Dean Sherwin, the subcommittee learned of a search currently underway in Philosophy and Religious Studies for a faculty member able to teach Islamic courses in those programs. Dean Sherwin has also committed to offering Arabic in the Foreign Languages Department. He also discussed with the committee the possibility of doing a tenure-track search next year for a faculty member to offer Arabic language courses and to offer courses on Arabic literature in translation in the Comparative and World Literatures program.
In meeting with Dean Almaguer and, subsequently, with the Ethnic Studies Council and College Faculty members, it soon became obvious that the mission of the proposed program would best be accomplished under the umbrella of the College of Ethnic Studies. The alignment behind the vision and the mission was strong. The committee provided additional information pertaining to the proposed program. Individual departments met to consider the inclusion of the proposed program as a new department. On December 6, 2002, there was a college-wide vote on the matter and we are delighted to report that an overwhelming majority, over 90%, voted in favor of the inclusion.
The subcommittee also met with many of the faculty members currently at San Francisco State University, who teach courses that deal with the Arab and Islamic cultures. A list is attached. The subcommittee is impressed with the breadth and depth of the courses and research interests of the faculty now in place. The committee recommends that the faculty throughout the University will work in collaboration with the initial hires of the new program to develop the new curriculum and program in Arab and Islamic Studies.
The subcommittee understands that the process will take time-time to develop the curriculum; to write an initial proposal; to project the new major on the master plan for the University; to secure initial permission on campus, at the system office, and from the California Post-Secondary Education Commission; and then to secure final permission from all the same levels once the final version of the proposal is ready. Given the understanding that the faculty members who have not yet been hired will be charged with the development of the curriculum in the new Program, per guidelines of the College in which it is housed, the subcommittee understands that the entire process may begin in earnest in Fall 2003 and may take until at least Spring semester of 2005 or later before final approvals are received. In the meantime, the subcommittee heard with interest of the possibility of creating a GE upper-division cluster on Arab and Islamic cultures or a minor, both of which can be approved entirely on campus.
Return to Table of Contents
Methodology
1. The Task Force had eight meetings as a whole, which met on June 13, June 28, July 17, July 29, September 18, October 15, November 14, and December 12. The agenda for each meeting is attached. Task Force members also attended Listening Groups and Sub-Committee meetings.
2. The Listening Groups were made up of 3-5 Task Force members at each session. There were 28 scheduled Listening Group Sessions, outreach was done through campus e-mail and press releases to San Francisco media outlets. A total of 54 people from campus and the community came to speak. In addition, 29 different Task Force members participated as listeners.
3. The Sub-Committees were also made up of various Task Force members, the Sub-Committees are as follows:
- Community Relations Advisory Group
- Curriculum
- Employment Practices
- Student Organizations
- Campus Policies on the conduct of rallies and the expression of free speech
- Orientation programs for students, staff, administrators and faculty
- Colloquia, special events, and discussions
- Psychological Counseling Services
4. The Task Force set up an e-mail address (taskforce@sfsu.edu) for the community to voice their suggestions and opinions. To date we have received seven e-mails.
5. The Task Force also set up a phone number (415-338-7922) for the community to voice their suggestions and opinions. To date we have received two voice messages.
Return to Table of Contents
Sources of Information Utilized by Task Force
5/16/02: The University's summary of events, describing recent activities on campus and the University's response to them.
MESSAGES FROM PRESIDENT ROBERT A. CORRIGAN AND OTHERS
09/11/01: Campus closes; SFSU community unites in sorrow
09/12/01: Classes resume; 'hardest days may lie ahead'
09/17/01: Spirit of mutual support, avoidance of scapegoating mark campus response
09/24/01: Campus adopts "Love is stronger than hate" message
09/25/01: Response to tragedy a powerful civics lesson for SFSU students
10/08/01: Free Speech and civility: keeping the balance
10/24/01: International students: "You have a family here"
11/05/01: I am very proud of the work we have done
4/05/02: Campus challenge: "To speak and act in a way that recognizes the humanity of all members of our community."
4/12/02: 'Hate speech is not free speech': Corrigan decries anti-Semitic flier promoting rally
4/12/02: Welcoming remarks delivered by President Robert A. Corrigan to the Model Arab League
4/30/02: President's letter of appreciation for the Muslim Student Association's letter of apology
05/07/02: Human Relations Dean: "Individually and collectively we can do much"
Department of Public Safety video of May 7, 2002 events
5/13/02: 'I invite you to join me in speaking out for this University's true values'
05/14/02: Academic Senate Chair: "Resolve and action required"
05/14/02: Academic Senate unanimously passes a Resolution in Support of Civil Discourse and the Principles of the Academy
05/15/02: San Francisco Chronicle publishes op-ed by Professor Mark Phillips: 'Fear and anger -- Raw emotionalism of Mideast comes to San Francisco State rally'
05/20/02: President's Message: "Look to the University Web site for updates"
05/22/02: We cannot afford to distort each other's positions
Principles of Conduct for a Multi-Cultural University
Executive Summary of the Final Report of the Commission on Human Relations: Focus on Racism and Other Forms of Discrimination
Communications regarding student mediation: Including letter to mediator D. Fischer, letter to student groups
Communications regarding creation of the President's Task Force: Including copy of charge and sample invitation letters.
June 1995 Report from the San Francisco Hillel Jewish Student Center and the Jewish Community Council: "Anti-Semitism at San Francisco State University"
May 30, 2002 Recommendations from the Vice President of Academic Affairs Taskforce on Civil Discourse
Original Email from Professor Zoloth
Sample Emails received in response to Zoloth email and subsequent media coverage
Sample print media coverage May 10th - June 11th (Public affairs also has apes of other media, e.g. television coverage) including headlines:
May 13 -- FrontPage Magazine "Anti-Semitic Pogrom at San Francisco State" as a title for a reprint of Zoloth's email
May 16 -- S. F. Examiner "Jihad on Campus?"
May 16 -- Time Herald "Hate University"
May 16 -- Jerusalem Post "Anti-Semitic riot at San Francisco State University"
The Status of Muslim Civil Rights in the United States 2001 " Accommodating Diversity" -- Council on American-Islamic Relations Research Center (CAIR)
"SFSU names Jewish History, ethics scholar Marc Dollinger to endowed Goldman Chair in Jewish Studies and Social Responsibility"
Office of Student Programs Leadership Development (Student Handbook) -- Division of Student Affairs
Sub-Committee Meeting of Special Colloquia and Discussion Report and Recommendation -- Prepared by Interfaith Understanding, Lillian Hyatt
Ensuring Equal Access to Quality Education -- Office for Civil Rights U.S. Department of Education
Racial Harassment in Education Institutions a Checklist for Administrators -- Office for Civil Rights U.S. Department of Education
Racial Incidents and Harassment Against Students at Educational Institutions; Investigative Guidance; Notice -- Office for Civil Rights U.S. Department of Education
Proposal from Professor Anton, Re: Peace Studies
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
GUPS, MSA and ADC-SF's complaint regarding discriminatory and other unlawful practices at San Francisco State University directed against the Arab/Muslim-American community filed with the Office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education.
Bay Guardian articles: "State of Unrest" -- 07/10/02
San Francisco Chronicle "So close, so far" -- 04/19/02
Counseling and Psychological Services -- San Francisco State University Mission Statement
The United Religions Initiative Charter
Return to Table of Contents
