Cultural Diversity Minor

Tutors:

Teana Boston-Mammah

Sofia Boschat-Thorez

Pablo Lerma Gonzalez

 

Introduction

With increased mobility and mixing of cultures, growing up among a diversity of people is now the norm in many cities of the world. Differences related to gender, generation, religion, sexuality, etc. which add to the complexities of people living together in urban areas. "Hidden diversity” is also a relevant factor in this minor: a diversity of experiences shape a person’s life and world views but are not readily apparent on the outside, unlike the usual markers of diversity such as race, nationality, gender, ethnicity through their embodied experience and knowledge.

Cultural Diversity aims to develop and sustain critical engagement with ideas that are relevant for contemporary society. This minor will provide students a space to understand and address cultural representation and societal visibility in relation to gender, identity, race and normativity within their professional field. It also facilitates students in developing a deeper understanding of their own position and multiple ways of articulating it through their embodied knowledge.

Recognising our bodies and their symbolic materiality is a fundamental aspect of this course, our bodies are politicized, categorised, ranked and judged. We grapple with how to respond to the interrelationship between our bodies, theories of identity and the body politic, as critical thinkers (and doers) we are attentive to the politics of the body which are closely related to questions about the effectiveness of identity politics.

During this minor you will formulate your own goals and assignments, and develop your own working methods, using relevant theories and analytical tools. The result can be an art or design object, publication (such as artists’ books), interdisciplinary installation, performance, exhibition or other type of project.

 

Format

This program is conducted in real life (IRL) with a limited number of online sessions determined by the teaching team.

KEYWORDS

Gender, Identity, Decoloniality, Intersectionality, Cultural Heritage, Race, Whiteness, Blackness, Orientalism, Ableism, and Social Class.

Learning Outcomes

• You are able to present advanced knowledge on theoretical insights that account for the relevance of your research and the topics discussed in class.
• You are able to reflect critically on your approach.
• You are able to demonstrate an awareness of the larger societal context your views are embedded within.
• You are able to translate your initial concept(s) into a presentable project that accords with the paradigms at the Minor in Cultural Diversity.
• You are able to experiment with techniques, materials and formats that appropriately relate to the subject you focus on.
• You are able to explore your speculative skills within the possibilities of the course.
• You are able to notice trial-and-error in processing your objectives.
• You are able to take in feedback and feedforward constructively.
• You are able to work efficiently and collectively in a group setting

What we offer

• Field trips
• Guest Lecturers and external visitors during presentations
• Collective dynamics and group processes of togethering
• Interdisciplinary and experimental modes of working.

What we expect

• This minor is looking for students who engage and position themselves critically within the course discussion, literature and artistic processes of and around identity, belonging and the voice of authority and visibility.
• We expect students to participate within the question “Who is or is not included?” in relation to the societal need to address the intersectional constellation of topics, work and conversations that gravitate around race, nationality, gender, and ethnicity connected to their experiences.

Deliverables

• The assignments are research-based and comprised of
• Writing component; in the form of an essay or piece of text.
• Artistic component; in the form of a collective interdisciplinary artistic project.
• Public presentations in the environment of WdKA can be part of the outcome in the artistic projects developed in this course.

.

APPLICATION PROCESS (KOM)

Are you a student from another educational institution and would you like to follow a minor at Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences? If so, you must apply in two steps:

Step 1
Register for the minor of your choice via the blue Apply button. You can find this button at the top right of the minor’s page.
Download the learning agreement and complete it.
Submit this learning agreement to the examination board of your study programme.
Once the examination board has granted approval, register for the minor in Step 2 no later than 01-07-2025 at 9:00 a.m.

Step 2
After approval, register via OSIRIS Application of Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences using the link below (first create an account).

https://osiris.hr.nl/osiris_aanmeld_hrprd/Welkom.do?proces=KOM2609&opleiding=MINOR-WDK-VT 00

Part of the application process is uploading the following documents:

The learning agreement, signed by you and by your institution;
A scan or photo of your passport or ID card.
 
You will be informed by Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences whether your application has been approved.

In OSIRIS Application, you must also upload the Proof of Paid Tuition Fee (BBC) for the academic year in which you wish to follow the minor. This can be done from 01 May 2026onwards. You can request the BBC from your institution after you have signed or issued an authorization for the payment of the tuition fee for the relevant academic year. You may also choose the option for your institution to send the BBC directly to collegegeld@hr.nl.

You will receive a notification from Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences once your application has been approved.