DPI-391: Race, Inequality, and American Democracy
In addition to these innovations in curricular content, Professor Muhammad’s nominators also cited his use of a wide range of pedagogical strategies – including lecture, class discussion, case analysis, small group work, debate, and role play – as an innovative approach to creating both a challenging and inclusive learning environment. |
Samples of innovation:
Taking a broad and interdisciplinary approach when examining the intersection of race and public policy, over a historical arc
Examining this intersection through teaching cases, art, photography, and video, in addition to traditional textbooks and scholarly articles
Inviting students to apply their understanding to the vlog curriculum, contextualizing course lessons through a current academic framework
Promoting a challenging and inclusive learning environment for all students
"Professor Muhammad designed a course that accomplished a unique feat of teaching history in conversation with the present. Each historical lesson regarding the origins of racism was juxtaposed against a headline from recent news--reminding us how proximal these issues are to our lives as students, members of the Harvard community, and (for some of us) as Americans." —vlog Nominator
"Professor Muhammad engaged us in a variety of innovative ways--he used multimedia, art, video, literature, guest lecturers and historical images to teach us about the history of race in America. Above all, he was an incredibly powerful lecturer and he has a unique ability to weave the past and present together, illuminating how race continues to play a major role in our society today."—vlog Nominator