Dynamics of difference and power affect the way we understand, relate to and perceive privilege and disadvantage with respect to race, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic class, sexual orientation, and religion. In an effort to provide Pomona College students with a complete liberal arts education, the Dynamics of Difference and Power overlay requirement will address the power structures and dynamics students face in daily interactions, their experience at the College, and life in their greater community. In classes that fulfill this requirement, students will examine power structures at the interfaces within and between constructed groups in contemporary U.S. society by incorporating historical background, contemporary events, and their personal experience.

A DDP requirement will further Pomona’s mission to "contribute to a diverse, socially supportive community." We envision the DDP requirement as an overlay because the majority of the classes that would presently satisfy the requirement will also satisfy a PAC skill. In order to fulfill the DDP requirement, a class must address one or more of the following in a way that relates to contemporary U.S. culture: race, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic class, sexual orientation, and/or religion. Furthermore, the class should 1) prepare students for responsible citizenship in a diverse world, 2) examine the causes and effects of power structures and power dynamics within or between groups of people, 3) contribute to self-awareness and understanding/forming one’s own identity, 4) relate the subject issues or groups to U.S. society and contemporary issues, 5) aid students in gaining a better understanding of how the aforementioned areas may or may not overlap and interact.

The DDP requirement will serve as a statement of recognition by the College of the importance of the dynamics of difference and power in contemporary United States culture and the necessity for students to critically address those dynamics in order to be informed and contributing members of society.