Overview
The increasing diversification of communities, and, by default, the workforce, means that diversity is no longer optional: it must be assumed. Traditional approaches to diversity assume that individuals will be automatically integrated into the workplace. However, the presence of diversity does not mean that individual differences are appreciated. It is the process of inclusion that promotes the acceptance, valuing, and effective leveraging of unique individual experiences and perspectives. In short, diversity is about counting people, whereas inclusion is about making people count.
The goal of this course is to provide students with the necessary tools to create more inclusive workplaces, either as formal leaders or as team members. In this course, students will learn about the distinctions between diversity and inclusion, the individual and organizational outcomes of inclusion, the barriers to inclusion, inclusive leadership, and various strategies that lead to more inclusive workplaces.
Objectives
After completing this course, learners will be able to:
- identify what is meant by diversity, inclusion and workplace inclusion;
- explain the typical barriers to inclusion;
- describe the benefits of and key elements supporting workplace inclusion;
- articulate the role of leadership in creating and sustaining workplace inclusion;
- examine personal biases and stereotypes;
- create a compelling narrative for change;
- identify policies and practices that support workplace inclusion; and
- develop a plan for workplace inclusion.
Evaluation
Students will be evaluated based on their participation in weekly online discussions (40%) and two comprehensive assignments (60%). To pass the course, students must achieve 60% or more on the discussion participation component AND 60% or more as a combined average on the other credit activities.