ABSTRACT
This chapter provides guiding conceptual principles for culturally affirming assignments. The chapter argues for the adoption of culturally affirming assignments and grounds this discussion in broader frameworks for inclusive and culturally responsive teaching. Drawing from this lens, the chapter offers five guiding principles that characterize and inform the creation of culturally affirming assignments: (a) valuing learners’ cultural identities; (b) acknowledging how culture informs content and learning processes; (c) upholding multiculturalism as a learning asset; (d) supporting relational engagement; and (e) offering diverse ways for students to demonstrate their learning. Each principle is discussed and examples of how they can be applied in a variety of disciplines are shared. This work aims to inspire instructors to consider ways they can utilize these principles to create or modify assignments to promote cultural affirmation. The chapter concludes with a set of reflection questions.
