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FOR INFORMATION

S.87-44

SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY

MEMORANDUM

TO: ?

Senate

FROM: ?

J.W.G. lvany,

Chair, SCAP

SUBJECT:

Faculty of Arts ?

DATE: ?

Nov.19, 1987

Ethnic Relations Program

Reference: SCUS 87-15 (revised)

SCAP 87-15

Acting under delegated authority, the Senate Committee on Undergraduate

Studies approved the following minor modifications to the Ethnic

Relations Diploma Program as set out in S.87-44. SCUS further ruled that

the Program should be subject to a review in three years time.

Alteration of the program requirements to require completion of at

least 15 credit hours to be selected from

list of 8 core courses

rather than completion of 5 specified courses.

Specification of a list of optional courses and the mechanism by

which unlisted courses may be accepted for credit in the program.

Deletion of the restriction of admission into the program only once a

year in the fall semester.

Transformation of the requirement that "Each student may be

required to participate in a one-day orientation seminar prior to

beginning the program" into an entitlement of students "To

• participate in occasional workshops and seminars on ethnic

relations sponsored by the ethnic relations committee".

Deletion of the requirement that S.A. 303 must be taken in the first

semester.

Amendment of the calendar description of the program.

FOR INFORMATION

FROPOSED REVISIONS 

EXTENDED STUDIES DIPLOMA IN ETHNIC: RELATIONS 

(A) ? 

INTRODUCTION 

During the past year the Steering Committee for the Ethnic 

Studies Diploma Program (the Ethnic Relations Committee) has 

undertaken a thorough review of the program and has considered 

various means for improving the accessibility of the diploma 

program to students. From an initial enroll merit of 3() students 

who started in the program at its inception in September 1984, 

only three are currently active, and there has been u:'niy one 

graduate. 

Nevertheless, this is more 

an

indication of logistical 

difficulties with the program as it currently exists than a 

measure of public demand for an extended studies diploma program 

in ethnic relations. When the program was advertised prior to 

its introduction in 1984/3 it prompted several hundred inquiries 

from members of the public and more than 60 applications for 

admission in the first semester. Since that time minimal 

advertising of the program and loss of a part-time ethnic 

relations coordinator employed by Continuing Studies has 

decreased its visibility within the community. But even now the 

Program Advisor (Mrs. Jean Jordan, Departmental Assistant, 

Sociology and Anthropology) receives more than 30 inquiries 

concerning the program each semester. There is, in shu:'rt 

substantial "hard" evidence of public interest in the program. 

These revisions to the academic program are bein 

g

made at the 

same time as we seek to reinstate pib1 Ic programming in ethnic 

relations. 

Moreover, the academic reasons for continuing and further 

developing such a prograri, of studies are obvious to those who 

are well informed about world issues. Ethnic relations remain a 

source of concern and conflict in the Lower Mainland, in Canada, 

arid throughout the world today. One has only to consider the 

highly publicized efforts of native peoples to achieve 

recognition of aboriginal ri 

g

hts, the international attention 

being focused on the nature of ethnic relations in South Africa, 

the recent ethnically based ':':'up which overturned the Fijian 

government, and the Canadian Sikh community's continuing 

involvement in inter-ethnic struggles both in India and in 

Canada to appreciate the fundamental significance of ethnic 

relations in today's world. Simon Fraser •University's extended 

studies diploma in ethnic relations was the first of its kind to 

be offered by a Canadian university. It remains a program with 

enormous potential both to foster valuable scholarly work and to 

make the benefits of this research available to a public which 

is crying out for information and advice concerning issues 

involving ethnic relations. 

FOR INFORMATION

The initial proposal to develop an extended studies 

diploma program in ethnic relations cited the following as its 

goals: 

1:) to foster inquiry into theoretical and applied 

questions pertaining to ethnic relations; 

2) to provide an opportunity for mature students, 

especially those currently employed in human 

services professions, to continue their education in a 

specialization of particular interest to themselves 

and their employers; 

3) to serve as a resource to public institutions and the 

community at large by providing an opportunity for 

professionals to apply theoretical knowledge to their 

practical experiences; and 

4) to provide an opportunity for professionals from a 

wide variety of fields to meet and collaborate on 

examination of issues of mutual concern. 

These remain the goals of the program. 

. proposal for revising the program seeks 

some of the logistical bcittl enecks that 

accessibility of the program and (2) to 

range of faculty and courses in enhancii 

program. 

What this present 

to do is i. to remove 

constrain the 

make 

USC

of a broader 

ig the scope of the 

Interviews with the students and other sources of information 

indicate that while there is considerable public interest in the 

program, accessibility of courses is a major obstacle to diploma 

completion. Concurrent with 

g atherin g 

feedback from students, 

the Steerin g 

Committee has surveyed all, departments to identify 

faculty with expertise in the area of ethnic relations. We find 

the number of such faculty to be larger than the number in our 

initial identification five years ago. 

?

In turn, these faculty 

have made us aware of a broader range of courses appropriate for 

inclusion in the diploma program. 

In order to make the program more accessible and to 

utilize a broader range of faculty expertise the following 

proposed revisions to the program are recommended. 

(B) ? 

REVISIONS TO THE PROGRAM 

1 ?

ALTERATION OF THE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS TO REQUIRE 

COMPLETION OF AT LEAST FIFTEEN CREDIT HOURS TO BE SELECTED 

. ?

FROM A LIST OF 8 CORE COURSES RATHER THAN COMPLETION OF 5 

SPECIFIED COURSES. 

a

FOR INFORMATION

RATIONALE: 

As well as taking advantage of additional courses offered 

by the University which have primary significance for an 

understanding of ethnic relations, this measure will serve to 

overcome the problems students have in the past encountered as a 

result of the sometimes inconvenient scheduling of required 

courses. ? 

It should be noted that 3 of these core courses (:I::RIM 

311, EDUC 441 and SA 386) are currently available as distance 

education courses and that 2 other courses from the 

' :ore list 

may scion bec 

' : ' 

rrie available in the form of correspondence 

courses. This will enhance the availability of core courses to 

students. 

2.

SPECIFICATION OF A LIST OF OPTIONAL COURSES AND THE. 

MECHANISM BY WHICH UNLISTED COURSES MAY BE ACCEPTED FOR 

CREDIT IN THE PROGRAM. 

RATIONALE: 

The listing of specified optional courses in the calendar 

will assist students to plan their studies and will Also 

indicate the range of courses dealing with ethnic relations 

offered by the university. The mechanism by which courses not 

listed either as core or optional courses may be considered for 

credit in the program will 

,

provide flexibility in ensuring that 

courses offered occasionally (eg. graduate and special topics 

courses as well as new courses) may be utilized in a timely and 

efficient manner. 

3.

DELETION OF THE RESTRICTION OF ADMISSION INTO THE PROGRAM 

ONLY ONCE A YEAR. IN THE FALL SEMESTER. 

RATIONALE: 

This restriction has proved to be an unnecessary 

impediment t ci enr ':ul 1 ment i n the pr ogr ar. 

4.

TRANSFORMATION OF THE REQUIREMENT THAT "EACH STUDENT MAY 

BE REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE IN A ONE-DAY ORIENTATION 

SEMINAR PRIOR TO BEGINNING THE PROGRAM INTO AN 

ENTITLEMENT OF STUDENTS "TO PARTICIPATE IN OCCASIONAL 

WORKSHOPS AND SEMINARS ON ETHNIC RELATIONS SPONSORED BY 

THE ETHNIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE". 

.

FOR INFORMATION

RATIONALE: 

It was originally intended that a required orientation 

seminar be held at the beginning of the fall semester to prepare 

students for the program. Since the restriction of admission of 

students only durin 

g

the fall semester is recommended to be 

deleted, it would not be practical to offer such an orientation 

seminar at the beginning of each semester. Instead the Steering 

Committee proposes to sponsor 

occasional 

seminars and workshops 

to which both interested faculty and students will be invited. 

5.. ? 

DELETION OF THE REQUIREMENT THAT S. A. 303 MUST BE TAKEN IN 

THE FIRST SEMESTER. 

RATIONALE: 

Since additional courses are bein 

g

added to the list of 

core courses, it is no longer deemed necessary for students to 

complete S. A. 303 durin 

g

their first semester in the program. 

Moreover, since students will henceforth be admitted into the 

program in any semester, and since the Department of Sociology 

and Anthropology cannot ensure that S. A. 303 can be offered 

every semester, the continuation of this provision would 

effectively restrict admission into the program to those 

semesters in which S.A. 303 was bein 

g

offered. 

6.

?

AMENDMENT OF THE CALENDAR DESCRIPTION OF THE PROGRAM 

(A) Add the following sentence to the second paragraph of 

the calendar description of the program: 

"The program will also be of interest to those 

who wish to develop their general education 

background.'' 

:B: ? 

Substitute "multi-ethnic" for "multi-cultural" 

in the last sentence of the second paragraph of 

the calendar description of the program. 

RATIONALE: 

(A)

While the diploma program is specifically desi g 

ned for 

professionals working in the human services field, it is 

also desi 

g

ned to attract students with more general 

educational interests. 

(B)

Minor editorial chan 

g

e to make the terminology 

consistent 

FOR INFORMATION

(D) ?

PROPOSED NEW CALENDAR ENTRY

Extended Studies in Ethni '

: Relations

Advisor: ?

Jean Jordan

' :u ' :uriu 5056 - Academic Quadrangle

291-3726

Ethnic Relations is the study of ethnically defined

conflicts and problems of migration. Such conflicts arise from

the ascription of demeaning characteristics to groups of people

and, more importantly, result fru:.rii exclusion. The Extended

Studies Diploma Program in Ethnic Relations provides an

opportunity to explore the causes of unequal treatment, to

compare ethnic antagonisms internationally and to develop

strate g

ies to improve intergroup relations in Canada in li

g ht of

this knowledge.

The Diploma is primarily intended for human services

professionals (social workers, educators, police, counsellors,

personnel managers, health practitioners or civil servants) who

are required to perform effectively with clients frc '

rii a variety

of cultural and linguistic back

r':'unds. ?

The Frcugrarii will also

be of interest to those who wish to develop their general

education background. The Diploma Program seeks to foster

better understanding of the nature of the multi-ethnic society

in which we live and work.

Courses may be taken on campus on a full or part-time basis.

From time to time courses will be offered in the evening either

on campus or at SFU Downtown, in addition to re

ular daytime

courses. Scuriie courses are available through Distance Education.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

Successful completion of at least 30 credit hours of upper

division ccuursework, or

raduate level courses if appropriate.

At least 15 of these credit hours are to be earned by

completing courses selected from the list of "core" courses

listed below. The remaining credits may be earned by completing

(a) additional courses frcurii the "core" list, (b) courses from

the list of optional courses listed below, or (':) other courses

which are deemed by the Program Steering Committee to have a

content appropriate to the Program.

Completion of the Diploma within five years of admission.

Students must maintain a GPA of 2.5 on courses applied toward

the Diploma. ?

FOR

INFORMATION

Students will be entitled 

to

participate in occasional 

workshops and seminars on ethnic relations sponsored by the 

Ethnic Relations Committee. 

New students may be accepted into the Program in any 

semester. 

THE CURRICULUM 

CORE COURSES: 

Cr i m 311-3 Minorities and the Criminal Justice System 

Edu ' 

: 441-4 f: L( l Lt 

yl Differences and Education 

Hist 322-3 Atlantic Migration 

Pol 481-3 Ethnic Politics and National Identity: 

Comparative Perspectives 

Psyc 360-3 Social Psychol cigy 

SA ? 

303-4 Ethnic ::crLriicts 

SA ? 

386-4 Native Peoples and Public Policy 

BA

?

400-4 Canadian Ethnic Mi nor it es 

OPTIONAL COURSES: 

C:mns 322-3 Communication in Conflict and Intervention 

Crim 335--3 Human Rights and Civil Liberties 

Crim 419-2 Native North Americans: Deviance and 

Criminal Justice 

6eog 420-5 

Compar at ive Cultural Geography 

Hi st 326-3 The History of Native People in Canada 

BA ? 

387-4 Canadian Native Peoples 

BA

?

388-4 Comparative Studies of Minority indigenous 

Peoples 

BA ? 

477-4 Southern Africa 

Students in the Program will also be advised of any 

additional courses dealing with ethnic relations that may become 

available from time to time and which may he taken for credit. 