Course Description
This course will provide students with a comprehensive source of information about diversity issues relevant to work, workers, and organizations. Emphasize how crucial an understanding of diversity issues is for individuals and organizations to succeed in today’s society. Diversity is often discussed in regards to women and minorities, but includes everyone. Everyone needs to know about the history, the current status of certain groups, and what increasing diversity means for individuals and organizations. Emphasize that everyone has multiple group memberships, and although some combinations are more negative for people’s outcomes, experiences, and opportunities, diversity remains relevant to everyone. (3 credits)
Prerequisites
- ENG 101: English Composition 1
- ENG 102: English Composition 2
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
Students who successfully complete this course will:
- Explain the importance of diversity in organizations.
- Identify and explain what “diversity” encompasses in the United States and some of the considerations used in determining the relevant diversity concerns in these areas.
- Evaluate how the demographics population effects the workforce and its diversity.
- Interprete and explain interrelationships among diversity, discrimination, and inclusion.
- Defend and discuss research on the individual and organizational benefits of diversity and inclusion.
- Analyze how different types of diversity add value in a business or personal environment.
- Analyze the negative outcomes of increasing diversity, and given the inevitability of increasing diversity, explain what organizations can do to reduce these negative outcomes
Course Activities and Grading
| Assignments | Weight |
|---|---|
Discussions (Weeks 1-8) | 30% |
Quizzes (Weeks 1-8) | 10% |
Case Studies (Weeks 2, 4 & 6) | 10% |
Reflective Papers (Week 3) | 15% |
Midterm Exam (Week 4) | 15% |
Final Exam (Week 8) | 20% |
Total | 100% |
Required Textbooks
Available through Charter Oak State College's Book Bundle
Bell, Myrtle. Diversity in Organizations – with MindTap Access. 5th ed. Cengage Learning, 2024.
Course Schedule
Week | SLOs | Readings and Exercises | Assignments |
1 | 1,2 | Topics: Introduction - Theories and Legislation
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2 | 2,3 | Topics: Theories and Thinking about Diversity
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3 | 2,5 | Topics: Blacks/African Americans & Latinos/Hispanics
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4 | 6 | Topics: Asians/Asian Americans & Whites/Caucasians
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Midterm SLOs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 | |||
5 | 3,7,8 | Topics: Native Americans and Multi-racial Group Members & Sex and Gender
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6 | 4,6 | Topic: Work and Family, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity & Religion
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7 | 4,6 | Topics: Age & Physical and Mental Ability
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8 | 1-10 | Topics: Weight and Appearance & Global Diversity
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Final Exam Each student shall independently research and emphasize that an understanding of diversity issues is crucial for individuals and organizations to succeed in today’s increasingly diverse society. Diversity does not only include women and minorities, but it also includes everyone. Everyone needs to know about the history, the current status of certain groups, and the implications of increasing diversity for individuals and organizations. Explain, and prepare a (10 Page) paper on that issue. This paper should be prepared from at least five sources or more other than the text. The course textbook may/should be cited as one of the references. The paper should clearly identity the issue. Your paper must follow APA format. SLOs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 | |||
COSC Accessibility Statement
Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.
COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources
Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.