Officials at the University of Wisconsin-Madison see no problem with their upcoming “Problem of Whiteness” class.

Feedback on a spring 2017 course for young “Badgers” prompted University of Wisconsin-Madison to defend its curriculum on Monday. At issue is an African Cultural Studies 405 class that seeks to examine how white people “consciously and unconsciously perpetuate institutional racism,” which in turn “devastates communities of color.”

“We believe this course, which is one of thousands offered at our university, will benefit students who are interested in developing a deeper understanding of race issues. The course is a challenge and response to racism of all kinds,” the school’s statement read in part. “All UW–Madison students are welcome in courses like this, which is not designed to offend individuals or single out an ethnic group.”

The Daily Caller, which first reported on the new class Dec. 17, noted Wednesday that students will be instructed by Assistant Prof. Damon Sajnani. The instructor’s Facebook page includes an image of deceased Cuban dictator Fidel Castro portrayed as “the real most interesting man in the world,” and Norman Rockwell’s “Freedom from Want” painting altered to include words like ‘genocide,’ ‘terrorism,’ and ‘colonization.’

Some of the textbooks Dr. Sajnani plans to use for the course include W.E.B. Du Bois’ “The Souls of White Folks” and Ta-Nehisi Coates’ “Between the World and Me.”

“All of the students participating do so voluntarily; the course is not required,” the university added.

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