Bard College has historically been a sanctuary from ethnic, political, religious, and other forms of intolerance. We embody this legacy today with a strong investment in both local and global initiatives, from our Center for Civic Engagement to the Bard Prison Initiative and Early Colleges, as well as with our programs in Bishkek, Berlin, East Jerusalem, and St. Petersburg.
Photo by Karl Rabe
In the Classroom
Our curriculum encourages students to deepen their understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion through the Difference and Justice distribution requirement and Engaged Liberal Arts and Sciences courses, as well as programs of study that create space for historically marginalized voices in the academy, including:
Students in the Inclusion at Bard course present their research on Matthew McDuffie, Class of 1889, at a new placard near the chapel honoring his life and work, as Professor Myra Young Armstead (far left) looks on.
Course Spotlight
Inclusion at Bard, Taught by Professor Myra Young Armstead
The nation's colleges and universities have served as stepping stones, remediating racial inequalities by providing pathways toward upward mobility for people of color. At the same time, recent revelations of the link between elite American institutions and slavery highlight their role in reproducing racial and other social hierarchies. Inclusion at Bard, an Engaged Liberal Arts and Sciences course offering, explores how these contradictory dynamics manifested themselves at Bard College. In fall 2018, student research into the founders and alumni/ae of Bard College culminated in the creation and dedication of new signage on campus that encourages critical reflection on Bard’s history.