Colleagues,

Several of you seem to agree that a panel should center on the challenges
of teaching courses, in whole or part, concerned with minorities and
diversity issues (particularly at predominantly white
institutions).  Arguably, such a panel would be of high interest and import
to MAC members as well as AEJMC members in general who teach such
courses.  Building on this premise, I think it would also be a good idea
and service to AEJMC if our division inaugurates such a panel or series of
panels as our signature teaching panel to be offered each year.  The panel
or panel series would serve as a focal point for fostering an understanding
of the complexity of teaching course content concerned with minorities and
diversity issues, as well as sharing and honoring best practices in
curriculum development concerned with the same.  The panel or panel series
may also involve a poster session or lead to the development of a MAC
repository (online) for related instructional resource material, e.g.,
syllabi, suggested textbooks and reading lists, related websites,
recommended instructional media (CDs, DVDs, videotapes), etc.

If there is general support, I will draft a panel proposal.  What are your
thoughts?  Would you like MAC to inaugurate a signature teaching panel or
panel series?  In the case of a panel series, which aspects would you like
to target next year?  Also, we will need a provocative title for our
signature panel or panel series. Any suggestions?

Camilla
MAC Vice Head/Programming Chair

Camilla Gant, Ph.D.
Faculty Assistant to the President
Associate Professor
Department of Mass Communications & Theatre Arts
University of West Georgia