Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace

Curriculum guideline

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Course
DACS 4132
Discontinued
No
Course code
DACS 4132
Descriptive
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace
Department
Disability & Community Studies
Faculty
Applied Community Studies
Credits
3.00
Start date
End term
Not Specified
PLAR
Yes
Semester length
15 Weeks
Max class size
30
Course designation
None
Industry designation
None
Contact hours

Lecture: 4 hours per week

Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Learning activities
In this course, students engage in a variety of learning activities such as lectures, group work, case studies, self-reflection, and team-based exercises.
Course description
This upper-level undergraduate course examines diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) issues and practices in the workplace. Students will explore historical and systemic barriers to employment, as well as promising practices, policies, and procedures that support inclusive workplaces. The course will also provide an overview of marginalized workplace identities and promote an understanding of personal values and their application in the workplace.
Course content
An overview of best/promising practices in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace: 

  • Understanding the origins of DEI, current theory, and application; 

  • Understanding the benefits and limitations of DEI processes and programming; and 

  • Explore best/promising practices in supporting DEI initiatives; and 

  • Explore means of measuring DEI impact in the workplace. 

Explore marginalized workplace identities and intersectionality in the workplace:  

  • Understanding marginalized identities in the workplace and related issues, including gender, LGBTQ+, immigrants, indigenous communities, ability, etc. 

  • Understanding intersectionality in the context of workplace identity; and  

  • Explore issues of self-advocacy and representation in the workplace. 

Recognize the impact of historical and systematic barriers to workplace inclusion:   

  • Review historical events and issues related to workplace inclusion;  

  • Review applicable laws and legal issues related to workplace inclusion; 

  • Explore systemic barriers that exist within the labour market; and

  • Overview of universal design and accessibility in the workplace.

  • Overview of accommodations and customized DEI measures.  

Develop an in-depth awareness of individual values, unconscious bias, and the related impact on organizational policies and procedures: 

  • Understanding positionality and positions of privilege in a workplace context;  

  • Understanding of unconscious bias and related impacts in the workplace;  

  • Develop a conceptual understanding of micro-aggressions affirmations in the workplace;  

  • Explore DEI training and tools to support inclusive workplace culture; and

  • Consider individual positionality, personal responsibility, and allyship in the workplace. 

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:  

 

  1. Describe currently accepted terminology and best/promising practices in diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace; 

  1. Explore marginalized workplace identities and intersectionality in the workplace;  

  1. Recognize the impact of historical and systematic barriers to workplace inclusion; and 

  1. Develop an in-depth awareness of individual values, unconscious bias, and the related impact on organizational policies and procedures. 

Means of assessment

This course will conform to the swagÂ鶹 Evaluation Policy regarding the number and weighting of evaluations. Typical means of evaluation may include a combination of:  

  • Research and Reflection Papers 

  • Presentations  

  • Literature Reviews  

  • Case Studies and Critiques  

Instructors may use a student’s record of attendance and/or level of active participation as part of the student’s graded performance. Expectations and grade calculations regarding class attendance and participation will be clearly defined in the instructor's course outline/syllabus. 

 

Textbook materials

A list of required and recommended reading will be provided at the beginning of the semester.  Instructors are committed to prioritizing OER and publicly accessible resources

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None

Equivalencies

DACS 5132