Teaching and Learning > DOCUMENTS
Supporting Cultural and Religious Diversity
Simon Smith
NB: Outdated page. Last updated on June 4th 2007
The PRS Subject Centre is working on a project with other subject centres to explore the implications of cultural and religious issues in higher education, in particular for the curriculum (for example, teaching style, content, assessment and student support).
The project was set up in response to interest from the academic community as they find themselves working with an increasingly diverse student population. Also new legislation has recently been introduced which has given rise to concerns, and some uncertainty, about implications for the curriculum. For example, the Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003, introduced in response to the Employment Directive, outlaws discrimination on grounds of religion or belief in employment and vocational training. This will have implications for students engaged in work-based learning. For further information about this legislation, we suggest that you visit http://www.acas.org.uk.
Associated legislation, but outside of the immediate remit of this project, includes the Race Relations Act (Amendment) Act 2000 that came into force in April 2001 outlawing discrimination on grounds of race by most public authorities when carrying out their functions. Further information about this legislation can be found at http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/advice-and-guidance/before-the-equality-act/guidance-for-employers-pre-october-10/what-the-law-says.
The project is now undertaking a survey amongst academics/support staff and we invite you to tell us about your experiences, and any adjustments you have made arising from those situations, which relate to the cultural or religious needs of students or staff. We would also like your views on how we can best support academics to accommodate diversity in today's student population.
Responses to the questionnaire will help us to provide the sort of resources that will help the HE sector to respond to their students needs in these area.
This page was originally on the website of The Subject Centre for Philosophical and Religious Studies. It was transfered here following the closure of the Subject Centre at the end of 2011.
