Prejudice Reduction through Shared Adventure: A Qualitative Outcome Assessment of a Multicultural Education Class

Abstract

This study is a qualitative analysis of student learning outcomes from an experiential multicultural education class at a public university. The class brought together students from diverse backgrounds and used adventure education methods to achieve multicultural education goals. The class combined adventure-based experiences from ropes courses or wilderness trips with community exploration assignments, papers, and class discussions on diversity issues. Students (n = 134) wrote a final reflective essay on the learning experiences from the class. The essays were analyzed using content analysis to assess key learning events and learning outcome themes. Results show positive outcomes in personal identity, group experience, diversity awareness, and prejudice reduction. Students also indicated transfer of learning to nonclassroom contexts. The study reports statistically significant relationships between specific experiential learning events and diversity outcomes.