Department Diversity/Equity Committee Mission Statement
The Department of Classics is devoted to fostering an equitable, respectful, inclusive, and supportive environment for all its members--students, staff, and faculty at all levels--regardless of race, gender, sexuality, social class, age, disability, religion, or national origin. We do our best to cultivate a climate of inclusion, be alert to inequities, be sensitive to power dynamics, and foster equity in all aspects of our work.
The department has a long-standing commitment to diversity and equal treatment in recruiting faculty and students for our programs. In recent years we have had students of many different ethnic backgrounds (including Hispanic, Asian, African-American, Native American, among others). Students of non-traditional age and students with disabilities have also been well represented. Gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender students and faculty are made welcome and treated with respect--for themselves and their relationships--and are comfortable being out in the department.
Much of our scholarship is concerned with issues of gender, sexuality, and status in the ancient world, with topics ranging from slavery and prostitution to Helen of Troy and ideas of female beauty. The same concerns are reflected in our teaching.We take very seriously our responsibility as stewards of antiquity. We are fully cognizant of the many problematic aspects of that legacy, and strongly committed both to acknowledging those problems and to resisting the unscholarly and unethical appropriation of the ancient world by the so-called "alt-right" and other hate groups.
Our department is integrated into the University's larger community of resources serving the interests of both equity and diversity. We have strong ties with the Department of Gender, Women & Sexuality Studies and the Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity. The university-wide Graduate and Professional Student Senate has awarded our department its annual Gold Star Award in recognition of its financial, professional, and emotional support for graduate students.
The Department also has substantial and long-term involvement with professional groups fighting for social justice in our field beyond the University of Washington: notably the Women's Classical Caucus, the Lambda Classical Caucus, and the newly formed Classics and Social Justice group. We are especially proud that in 2014 the Department was chosen to receive the first ever Award in Professional Equity from the Women's Classical Caucus.
Though we are proud of this track record we have no wish to rest on our laurels. We are committed not only to sustaining our past efforts, but to improving on them, in acute awareness of ongoing problems that face our discipline (such as the paucity of minority faculty) as well as new challenges (notably the rise of the so-called "alt-right"). It is the mission of the Diversity and Equity Committee, in collaboration with the Chair, the Graduate Program Coordinator, and various Department committees, to maintain a commitment to diversity and equity in all aspects of our work. The committee also serves as a confidential resource for students, staff, and faculty regarding such issues. Anyone with concerns or questions is encouraged to contact one or more members of the committee.
Department Diversity/Equity Committee Members
- Prof. Deborah Kamen (faculty member and chair), dkamen@uw.edu
- Prof. Kathryn Topper (faculty member), ktopper@uw.edu
- Anna Simas (graduate student representative), simasa@uw.edu
Classics Faculty Adjunct in Gender, Women & Sexuality Studies (GWSS)
- Prof. Emerita Ruby Blondell
- Prof. Catherine Connors
- Prof. Deborah Kamen
Diversity (DIV) Courses in the Department of Classics
The University requires all undergraduates to take a minimum of 3 credits, approved by the appropriate school or college, that focus on the sociocultural, political, and/or economic diversity of the human experience at local, regional, or global levels. This requirement is intended to help you develop an understanding of the complexities of living in increasingly diverse and interconnected societies. Courses that fulfill the diversity requirement focus on cross-cultural analysis and communication; and historical and contemporary inequities such as those associated with race, ethnicity, class, sex and gender, sexual orientation, nationality, ability, religion, creed, age, and socioeconomic status. Course activities should encourage thinking critically about topics such as power, inequality, marginality, and social movements, and support effective cross-cultural communication skills.
Diversity and Equity Resources
General diversity and equity resources
Diversity at the University of Washington: The University of Washington’s main diversity website
Recommended Reads for Equity: Recommendations for books about equity, diversity, and inclusion, curated by the UW Libraries
Minority affairs resources
Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity: Works to increase diversity on campus and enrich the experiences of students, faculty, and staff
Samuel E. Kelly Ethnic Cultural Center: An inclusive space designed to foster academic and personal success
Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action (EOAA): Oversees and manages the University’s affirmative action program
Immigration resources
Leadership Without Borders: Resources for undocumented students
International Student Services Office: Visa and immigration advising for international students on F or J student visas
Disability resources
The D Center: UW’s Disabled and D/deaf cultural center
Disability Resources for Students: Resources for setting up access and accommodations
Gender and sexuality resources
Title IX at UW: Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 states: “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” Our interim Title IX coordinator is Valery Richardson, valeryr@uw.edu, 206-616-9713
Education and outreach: Online and in-person training for preventing sex discrimination and sexual harassment, and responding to those affected by sexual misconduct
Survivor Support & Advocacy: Health & Wellness offers confidential advocacy and support for students impacted by sexual assault, relationship violence, stalking, sexual harassment and other related experiences.
Q Center: A student-run LGBTQ center for UW students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members
Mental health resources
Counseling Center: Resources for students seeking help in coping with stress or other mental health concerns
Let’s Talk: Free, confidential, informal drop-in counseling service at UW
Economic resources
Sportula: Provides microgrants (petty cash of $5-$300) to economically marginalized undergraduates in Classics
UW Campus Food Pantry: Provides UW students, staff, and faculty with nonperishable groceries and select fresh produce for no cost
Teaching resources
Diotima: Resources for the study and teaching of women and gender in antiquity
Classics at the Intersections: Rebecca Futo Kennedy’s blog includes syllabi for teaching race, ethnicity, immigration, and marginality in antiquity
From Abortion to Pederasty: Addressing Difficult Topics in the Classics Classroom: The essays from Nancy Sorkin Rabinowitz and Fiona McHardy’s edited volume (2014)--on teaching sexuality, rape, violence, and other difficult topics--can be downloaded here
Teaching Rape Texts in Classical Literature: A useful article by UW Classics PhD alumna Yurie Hong on talking about rape in the Classics classroom
Reporting violence
Bias Incident Advisory Committee: How to report bias incidents
Safe Campus: How to report violence or threats to the safety of yourself or others. NB: Faculty and TAs at UW must report to the authorities any reports or evidence of sexual violence they encounter; one way to do so is through Safe Campus.
Resolving conflicts
Office of the Ombud: A collaborative and confidential environment to discuss your situation, consider options, and develop a plan for the future
University Complaint Investigation and Resolution Office (UCIRO): Investigates complaints that a University employee has violated the University’s non-discrimination and/or non-retaliation policies