Diversity and Global Studies

Lead with Purpose

Understanding Differences in a Global World

The mission of the Diversity and Global Studies Department (DGS) is to improve the lives of students and their communities through education. We offer courses that examine the dynamics of culture and globalism through interdisciplinary lenses. We believe that it is vital for everyone to examine the diversity of our community, region, and world and to engage in activities that reduce prejudice and discrimination in order to achieve a more equitable, just world.

Our mission supports all of Highline College's strategic goals, but in particular the initiative to "enhance a college climate that values diversity and global perspectives."

DGS courses provide the opportunity for students to develop skills needed to be leaders in a diverse world and to gain experiences which contribute to the pursuit of equity and tolerance. We encourage students to analyze, contrast, and synthesize diverse values and experiences, especially historically marginalized positions, and to participate in public discourse on topics of diversity and globalism with self-conviction and respect for others.

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Diversity and Global Studies Curriculum

Our department continues to create new courses to meet the interests of our students. Every DGS course fulfills the and simultaneously fulfills credit toward either Humanities Area I or Social Sciences Area I.

If you are looking for classes in ethnic studies, make sure to check out the class offerings of our partner department, .

DGS 160: Social Issues

"This DGS class added meaningful value to my education by broadening my understanding of how crime and justice are approached in different countries. It challenged me to think critically about how criminal justice systems are organized across cultures, and how various societies define and respond to crime. By comparing global perspectives, I gained insight into the assumptions we often take for granted in our own system. This cross-cultural analysis helped me see the strengths and weaknesses of our justice practices at home, and made me more aware of the role that culture, history, and policy play in shaping ideas of justice. The class not only deepened my knowledge of criminal justice but also encouraged me to question, reflect, and think globally."

DGS 110: Global Issues

"This DGS course has given me terms I now fully understand in contexts outside of that course work. I am able to use these as tools in other courses and use them to support my thinking. It has also given me a better understanding of the world outside of my little bubble."

DGS 125: Media Matters

"Taking this DGS class has helped me understand how technology and global issues are connected. It improved my thinking skills and taught me how digital tools affect cultures, economics, and politics. I also learned more about global diversity and the challenges of living in a digital world. This class has better prepared me to understand [and] engage with the changes happening worldwide."

DGS 120: Art & Society

"This DGS class allowed me to discover and briefly familiarize myself with many forms of art and a variety of different cultures from different times and parts of the world. I was able to connect my personal beliefs, values, and identity to understand my own perspective as well as the perspectives of my fellow peers. Using these forms of art and ways of storytelling, allowed me to connect what I had learned in this course to use outside of my education. I understand how current cultures around the world may have [come] to be and developed over time, as well as why and how different cultures are similar and different at the same time."