Association of American Geographers


Example Learning Outcomes related to incorporating diversity into GeoCurriculum


1. Knowledge

Students cultivate the awareness and understanding needed to live and work in a diverse, global society.

  1. Students will describe spatial variation and diversity at global, regional, and local scales.
  2. Students will explain how social and cultural systems develop in response to varying geographical, environmental, and historical circumstances.
  3. Students will communicate an understanding of the ways in which race, ethnicity, and/or gender are socially constructed.
  4. Students will discuss the influences that shape the perspectives of various social groups and evaluate the consequences of differential power and privilege.

2. Skills/Application

Students develop the behaviors and abilities needed to live and work in a diverse, global society.

  1. Students will engage critical thinking and academic research skills to investigate and refute possible bias, error, and faulty argumentation in discussions of diversity.
  2. Students will evaluate divergent views on diversity and discuss the implications of competing perspectives, interpretations, and methods of analysis.
  3. Students will participate in activities and experiences that can enhance their cultural competence.
  4. Students will demonstrate skills in cross-cultural communication (including oral, written, and/or graphical modes) and in collaboration within diverse work groups.

3. Values

Students reflect upon the formation of their own perspectives, beliefs, opinions, attitudes, ideals, and values.

  1. Students will articulate differences and similarities between one’s own culture and other cultures, at a variety of geographic scales (local, regional, global).
  2. Students will describe their own cultural backgrounds and reflect upon how personal experiences have shaped their attitudes and opinions.

4. Inquiry

Students recognize the contributions of diverse perspectives to the development of various academic fields and to society as a whole.

  1. Students will demonstrate familiarity with geographical works by authors of diverse backgrounds.
  2. Students will engage with a variety of perspectives in classroom activities and in assigned coursework.

Download example syllabi addressing these outcomes:


Credits: Outcomes developed by Dr. Joy Adams, AAG, with Dr. Patricia Solís, AAG; Course syllabi permissions from Contributors.