Overview
Creating diverse and inclusive workplaces is a competitive advantage and good for business. Workplaces that embrace diverse perspectives and make employees feel like part of a cohesive team thrive. However, managing an increasingly diverse workforce is challenging and is one of the most critical issues facing organizations today. Even so, we can change the environments in which we live, learn, and work and start to level the playing field and give everyone greater opportunity to succeed. Diversity, equity and inclusion can transform our world, and we have a moral responsibility to create positive outcomes for all.
This introductory level course focuses on the key areas that impact the adoption of diversity, equity, and inclusion practices in the workplace. Students will learn the theoretical and practical foundation needed to better understand how their own experiences shape their ability to lead across differences, how to influence others on the merits of diversity, equity and inclusion, and how to create inclusive organizational strategies, programs, and systems that benefit everyone.
Topics
- Week 1: Conceptualizing Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
- Week 2: Frameworks for EDI Approaches Within Organizations
- Week 3: Legal Framework for EDI in Canada
- Week 4: Concepts of Identity and Difference
- Week 5: Bias, Stereotypes, Prejudice and Discrimination
- Week 6: Meritocracy, Privilege and Building EDI Competency
- Week 7: Inclusive Leadership
- Week 8: From Diversity to Inclusion
- Week 9: Designing for Inclusion
- Week 10: Global Benchmarks for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
- Week 11: Diversity and Inclusion in the Global Context
- Week 12: Inclusion and Innovation in Diverse and Inclusive organizations
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Describe the current perspectives/concepts on the relationship between diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace;
- Describe and identify legislation, policies, and core standards of equity and inclusion in human resource management and labour relations practices in Canadian workplaces;
- Examine and analyze the concept of identity, relationships across differences and bias, and equality of opportunity in organizations and how they relate to organizational issues or opportunity;
- Analyze and discuss, with a variety of stakeholders, how privilege, biases, and stereotypes influence opportunities and effectiveness in the workplace and how workplace-based issues are related to attaining fair and equitable workplace outcomes for individuals and employers;
- Examine the role of leadership in creating and sustaining workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion;
- Evaluate work cultures and identify practices that support and engage all employees, and recognize how human resources management and labour relations policies and practices can affect and determine equity outcomes; and
- Critically evaluate current practices used in companies and propose strategies to enhance workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Terms
Evaluation
25% - Reflexive journal entries (x3)
20% - Current Events: Two rounds of peer discussion (2 x 10%)  
10% - Midterm evaluation including MC questions and open questions
15% - Case Study (Individual submission)
30% - Proctored Final Exam
*Evaluation subject to change*
Proctored Exams
If a student is enrolled in ONLY online courses (section 700), they may choose either of the following options to write the exam:
- Write the final exam online: you will write in onQ with Examity proctoring. A $100 online exam fee will be charged to your SOLUS account.
- Write the final exam in-person: you will write on Queen’s campus in Kingston. You will not be charged an extra fee to write on campus.
If a student is enrolled in ANY in-person courses (section 001, 002, etc), you MUST write all your final exams in-person on Queen’s campus, including for an online course. You may not choose to write your exams online.
Locations and Timing of Final Examinations
Once the exam schedule has been finalized the exam date will be posted on your SOLUS account. The exam dates for each Term are listed on the Faculty of Arts and Science webpage under "Important Dates." Student exam schedules for the Fall Term are posted via SOLUS immediately prior to the Thanksgiving holiday; for the Winter Term they are posted on the Friday before Reading Week, and for the Summer Term they are individually noted on the Arts and Science Online syllabi. Students should delay finalizing any travel plans until after the examination schedule has been posted. Exams will not be moved or deferred to accommodate employment, travel/holiday plans or flight reservations.
Textbook and Materials
All course readings, podcasts and videos will be available to you electronically via the course site.
Time Commitment
Students can expect to spend approximately 10 hours a week (120 hours per term) in study, listening and online activity for this course.