This document discusses higher education's current debate about emphasizing diversity in the curriculum as part of the academy's continuing engagement with the wider society and with fundamental societal questions. The introduction suggests that the academy stakes its claims to leadership and service on a continuous engagement with nonacademic issues whose outcome will significantly affect individual lives. Chapter 1 discusses the importance of paying attention to differences as certain differences correlate with differential power in American society. Chapter 2 discusses the place of multiculturalism in the college curriculum. Chapter 3 discusses the two predominant traditional curricular strategies--the dedicated course and development of critical thinking abilities--and discusses the shift from "Western Civilization" courses to the study of "World Cultures." Chapter 4 addresses inclusion of values of diversity and democracy in the college curriculum in a discussion of educational premises and curricular strategies. Chapter 5 presents curricular recommendations relating to study of: (1) one's own traditions; (2) American pluralism and justice; (3) experiences in justice seeking; and (4) multicultural and relational pluralism within the major. The concluding chapter issues an invitation to colleges around the country to discuss these recommendations in groups reflecting the range of American diversities. (Contains 16 references.) (CK)