2022 Teaching & Assessment Symposium
Signaling Inclusivity in Genetics
Location
University Center
Description
The teaching of genetics typically includes topics which may make students who hold certain identities feel excluded or stigmatized. We redesigned UNC's genetics course to include representation of different identities such as same-sex families with sperm or egg donors, and transgender/nonbinary individuals. Family pedigree chart notations that distinguished the sperm/egg binary required for reproduction from gender identity were created. The terminology used to describe human genetic variants was also modified; terminology with negative connotations such as “disease”, “disorder”, “mutant”, and “normal”, were replaced with more neutral terminology such as “condition”, “trait”, “variant”, “atypical”, and “typical”. The goals of our redesign were to validate all student identities by representation of those identities, and to create a destigmatizing environment for students who may have overt or hidden disabilities or genetic conditions. The redesigned course was delivered Fall 2021, and student responses to the redesign will be reported.
Signaling Inclusivity in Genetics
University Center
The teaching of genetics typically includes topics which may make students who hold certain identities feel excluded or stigmatized. We redesigned UNC's genetics course to include representation of different identities such as same-sex families with sperm or egg donors, and transgender/nonbinary individuals. Family pedigree chart notations that distinguished the sperm/egg binary required for reproduction from gender identity were created. The terminology used to describe human genetic variants was also modified; terminology with negative connotations such as “disease”, “disorder”, “mutant”, and “normal”, were replaced with more neutral terminology such as “condition”, “trait”, “variant”, “atypical”, and “typical”. The goals of our redesign were to validate all student identities by representation of those identities, and to create a destigmatizing environment for students who may have overt or hidden disabilities or genetic conditions. The redesigned course was delivered Fall 2021, and student responses to the redesign will be reported.
Comments
Lightning Talk Session 1