Operational Definition


Diversity, from the individual to global scale, is the range of human differences, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, social class, national origin, intellectual or physical ability or attributes, economic, religious, or ethical values system, and political beliefs. 

Hallmark of a Bulldog

Ferris graduates apply an understanding of the consequences of the growing global interdependence of diverse societies in their personal and professional lives.


Thoughtful citizens respect diversity and encourage inclusion in their interactions with others.  We live in a time when world cultures are increasingly interconnected and interdependent in the issues they face.   Successful participation in this diverse global society requires an understanding of what these interconnections are and why they exist.

Ferris Learning Outcomes


Global Diversity Outcomes (DIVG courses)

DIVG1 rubric

DIVG1: Identify Issues - Students will articulate knowledge and understanding of local, regional, national, and global issues and the interconnectedness and interdependency of human populations.

DIVG2 rubric

DIVG2: Change - Students will explain examples of how local to global cultures and societies change through convergence and/or divergence.

DIVG3 rubric

DIVG3: Apply Theories - Students will apply a theory and/or method to analyze geographic, economic, cultural, linguistic, and/or historical contexts of a country or region outside the United States.

DIVG4 rubric

DIVG4: Synthesize Values - Students will synthesize a spectrum of beliefs, values, and attitudes from across the globe and situate their own views within the context of these cultural systems.

US Diversity Outcomes (DIVU courses)

DIVU1 rubric

DIVU1: Identify Issues - Students will articulate knowledge of the concepts of race, ethnicity, and/or gender and their impact and relevance in social issues.

DIVU2 rubric

DIVU2: Analyze Constructs - Students will explain ways in which race, ethnicity, and/or gender are culturally and socially constructed.

DIVU3 rubric

DIVU3: Apply Theories - Students will apply a theory and/or method to analyze how the concepts of race, ethnicity, and/or gender can be expressed through identity, stereotypes, prejudice, discrimination, and privilege.

DIVU4 rubric

DIVU4: Evaluate Issues - Students will evaluate complex issues surrounding race, ethnicity, and/or gender in the context of their own beliefs, values, and attributes.