Diversity in the Workplace
BSAD 300.001 – 1 credit – Spring 2011
Syllabus, Course Outline, and Activities
Course:
Dates/Time:
Instructor:
Office:
Office Hrs.
Resources:
BSAD 300.001
100 Schneider Hall
January 25-March 1
T/Th 9:30- 10:45 a.m.
Nancy Hanson-Rasmussen (hansonrn@uwec.edu)
Schneider 422 (836-5833)
Wed 9:00-11:00 a.m.
Tue/Thur 8:00-9:00 a.m. and 12:15-3:15 p.m.
Virtual/online office hours Sundays 8:00 -10:00 p.m.
Available at other times as well, please email or call to set an appointment.
Resources used in this course include news articles, films and websites.
“Diversity: the art of thinking independently together”.
Malcolm Forbes
Course Description
BSAD 300 is a College of Business core requirement. (Prerequisite: 45 university
credits) This course supports the College's mission to incorporate diversity issues into
the curriculum. This course addresses the AACSB perspectives related to ethics, social,
legal, global, and diversity issues. Students will investigate how to adapt to different
lifestyles, cultures, or personalities in order to develop a cooperative, productive work
environment. Students will develop and enhance their communication skills through inclass discussions, online responses and reflections and written critiques.
Course Goals
1. To develop an awareness and sensitivity to issues of race, religion, culture, age,
gender, sexual orientation, disabilities and health in the work place.
2. To become aware of ethical and legal issues related to diversity.
3. Complete research on current diversity issues and communicate thoughts and opinions
on issues through written and online activities.
The following baccalaureate goals of UWEC are addressed in this course:
 Knowledge of Human Culture and the Natural World
 Creative and Critical Thinking
 Effective Communication
 Individual and Social Responsibility
 Respect for Diversity Among People
Attendance and Participation
All students are expected to attend all class sessions and attendance will be taken.
Discussions, activities, and quizzes will be based on class discussion, films, or activities;
your attendance is very important in this course.
1
Integrity and Large Section Etiquette
Honesty and trustworthiness will be expected. Citations of other authors are required in
written projects as appropriate. Any form of cheating will not be tolerated.
This course is not part of the COB laptop initiative. Laptops may be used only for taking
notes within class (but not for other activities). Reading email, talking and doing other
coursework is distracting to your fellow classmates. Please do not bring hot food to
class. Beverages are very welcome. Etiquette is important in large sections.
Discussions and Activities
The Desire2Learn (D2L) survey area, discussion board and drop box will be used to
record your experiences and opinions related to diversity. A demographic survey will be
completed the first week of class. There are two discussion activities in this course. You
will be assigned to a course group with members reading your responses to discussions
and responding to your submissions. Each entry and a minimum of one response to a
fellow student will be worth a total of 25 possible points. The postings must be submitted
on time and address the particular topics assigned in appropriate depth. Entries submitted
after the due date/time will be worth a maximum of 18 points. A worksheet on diversity
legislation is worth 35 pts. and will be due the 3rd week of the course. A harassment
exercise will be due on the 5th week of the course (25 pts). The total for these five
activities is 120 points. See the rubric in D2L for more information on grading.
Quizzes
There will be four weekly quizzes each worth 15 points and one exam worth 80 points
(40 questions). The exam will be taken in class and will cover material presented in class
and in readings. A self-test quiz will be available on D2L under “Quizzes” and is good
practice for the exam. I would be happy to meet with you and help you prepare for the 80
point exam. I suggest you keep a running list of diversity vocabulary words.
Written papers
One written paper selected from the list on the back of this syllabus is required. This
paper involves researching a current diversity topic. Some of the projects require prior
approval. It is recommended you don’t procrastinate with this project!
The paper is due on Tuesday, February 22 but you can complete the paper early if you
would like. This assignment can be uploaded to the written paper dropbox or a hard
copy can be brought to class. The paper is worth 40 points and should be 1 to 1 1/2
pages long (single spaced). Please use APA in text citations and references.
Accommodation
Any student who has a disability and is in need of classroom accommodations, please
contact the instructor and the Services for Students with Disabilities Office.
2
Final Grades
Your grade for this one-credit course will be based on the percentage of total points
earned. “Rounding” will not be used in grading.
93-100% A
90-92.9% A87-89.9% B+ 83-86.9% B
80-82,9% B77-79.9% C+ 73-76.9% C
70-72.9% C- 67-69.9% D+ 63-66.9% D
Course points include: quizzes = 60, weekly assignments and discussions = 120, written
paper = 40, exam = 80. There are 300 available points.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world.
Indeed it is the only thing that ever has.”
---Margaret Mead
Schedule
Topic/Activities
Week 1, January 25, 27
Distribute syllabus, Intro. To Desire2Learn
Define workplace diversity
Topic: Workforce Demographics & Trends
Week 2, February 1, 3
Topic: Prejudice, Discrimination and
Racism in the Workplace
Week 3, February 8, 10
Topic: Diversity as a Business Asset,
Legislation, and the EEOC
Week 4, February 15, 17
Topic: Disabilities in the Workplace
Health Issues
Assignments
Take quick demographic survey found in the
Survey’s section of D2L. Due by Jan. 26 at
11:59 p.m.
Week 5, February 22, 24
Topic: Gender Diversity and Harassment
Written topic paper due Feb. 22
D2L Discussion #1 due Feb. 4 at 11:59 p.m.
Response to cohort due by Feb. 7 at noon.
Legislation worksheet due Feb. 11 at 11:59
p.m.-dropbox available
D2L Discussion #2, due Feb. 18 at 11:59 p.m.
Response to cohort due by Nov. 21 at noon.
D2L Exercise on Harassment due Feb. 25 at
11:59 p.m. This is found in the Quizzes area
of D2L and may be taken three times.
Week 6, March 1
Topic: Religion in the Workplace
Exam
Exam, March 1
“When you are surrounded by sameness, you get only variations on the
same.”
Kevin Sullivan, Apple Computer
3
Paper Ideas
Select one of the topical papers below and write a one to one and a half page single spaced
paper on it. Be sure to cite your sources using APA in text and reference sources. The more
current the sources, the better. This paper is due on February 22 but can be turned into the
instructor or the D2L dropbox early.
1. Research the current status of military “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. Provide some history
as well as today’s status. Present the different perspectives of this issue. Finish with your
opinion of the policy and its current status. Should use a minimum of three sources.
2. An interesting current issue is whether it is discriminatory to use criminal background checks
and information in workplace hiring, job assignment or promotion decisions. Investigate
current news related to the background checks and present the different sides or
perspectives. Finish with your opinion. Please use a minimum of three sources.
3. The use of Indian names and mascots in high schools and colleges are rather hot topics.
Research the controversy of colleges and high schools using these names and mascots.
Present the arguments to keep the names and logos in schools as well as the arguments to
change them. Next, present your thoughts on businesses that use racial or ethnic logos or
names that could be found offensive by some people. Should these businesses follow the
rules set forth by the NCAA? Information should come from at least three sources.
4. In the last few weeks there have been numerous news stories about cyber-bullying or
harassment. Research and identify cases of Internet, phone or email bullying and business
policies regarding these practices (not B.F.). Write you own business policy on cyberbullying or harassment as if you were going to put it into an employee handbook. Cite your
sources (minimum of three)
5. Watch the movie North Country and then read about Jenson vs. Eveleth Mines on the
Internet. 1)Give a paragraph review of the film concluding with how many stars you would
give it out of five. 2)What made the lawsuit in this film unique? 3)What is factual in the
movie and what did they leave out? 4)Why do you think the film makers didn’t stay true to
the facts? Please cite your sources.
6. Watch the movie Gattaca. After seeing the fictional use of genetic testing, 1)give a one
paragraph review of the film with how many stars you would give it out of five. 2)Identify
why the Gattaca Aerospace Corp. was using genetic testing. 3)What challenges did this high
level of testing present? 4)Why would an employer use genetic testing today? 5)Find an
article on an employer who has fairly recently been found to use genetic testing and why
they did it. 5)What might stop employers from using the testing in 2011? Cite your sources.
7. Select a topic related to workplace diversity that is not on your syllabus. Research the top
and present the issue or situation and then suggest how this topical area could be presented
in this course. Please email your instructor for approval on your topic area.
8. If you know of a televisions program or movie that depicts a “hot” diversity topic, you may
propose a project that will pertain to this workplace course. For example, watch three
episodes of House and describe every workplace diversity concept you see. Then discuss
why you thought it was used in the storyline. Is this portrayal an exaggerated stereotype,
meant to be educational, or something else?
4