UMSL - Connecting Human Origin and Cultural Diversity

The Connecting Human Origin and Cultural Diversity Program was founded in Fall, 1995, as a joint venture between the Anthropology Department, the College of Education, and the Maybuye Center (Archive of the African National Congress) at the University of the Western Cape, South Africa. It is administered through the College of Education and housed on the UMSL south campus in the Villa and LeGras buildings.

The Anthropology Department provides expertise in understanding human origin and cultural diversity; the College of Education provides expertise in designing curriculum for elementary through high school levels. Building on the 21st Century COE and foundations of anthropological knowledge, the Center has designed a 4-12 curriculum. Currently, no comprehensive anthropology curriculum exists in the U.S.

In addition, the Program advises classroom teachers in the development of social justice and cultural awareness curriculum that enhances their standard subject presentations and compliments the NCSS and MAP standards.

The Program has an advisory board consisting of leading educators, clergy, businesspeople, and civic leaders from the culturally diverse community of St. Louis.