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IDS 125: Introduction to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Course Description

This course will introduce students to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) concepts and frameworks. The topic of diversity will be presented as it relates to various human differences and overlapping social identities that include age, race, gender, gender identity, ability, class, religion, culture, and sexual orientation. Students will become familiar with the terminology used to describe human experiences such as identity development, discrimination, bias, oppression, privilege, and inequity. Through a social justice lens, the concepts of justice, equity, and inclusion will be defined. Course instruction, materials, and evaluation methods will prompt students to analyze their lived experiences and connect them to diversity, equity, and inclusion concepts. (3 credits)

Prerequisite

  • None

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

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

  1. Define DEI terminology associated with diversity, equity, and inclusion principles.
  2. Identify social identities such as age, race, gender, gender identity, ability, class, religion, culture, and sexual orientation.
  3. Recognize and describe terms that chronicle human experiences related to DEI, such as bias, discrimination, stereotypes, and isms.
  4. Differentiate between the concepts of equity and equality.
  5. Apply a social justice lens to the concepts of equity and inclusion.
  6. Examine and apply DEI concepts to personal life experiences.
  7. Analyze how social and political policies play a significant role in shaping power dynamics, privilege, and opportunities for different groups of people within society.

Course Activities and Grading

AssignmentsWeight

Discussions (Weeks 1-7)

30%

Midterm Exam (Week 4)

15%

Group Case Study Examination (Week 5)

20%

DEI Self Study Paper (Week 8)

20%

Final Exam (Week 8)

15%

Total

100%

Required Text

  • Available through Charter Oak State College's Book Bundle
    • Maurianne Adams, Warren J. Blumenfeld, Chase J. Catalano, Keri Dejong, Heather W. Hackman, Larissa E. Hopkins, Barbara Love, Madeline L. Peters, Ximena Zuniga. Readings for Diversity and Social Justice. 4th ed. Routledge, 2018. ISBN -13: 978-1-138-05528-5

Course Schedule

Week

SLOs

Readings and Exercises

Assignments

1

1,2,6

Topic: The Social Construction of Diversity and Identity

  • Read and Review:
    • Readings for Diversity and Social Justice, Section 1 Getting Started: Core Concepts for Social Justice Education (pgs. 1-7) 
    • Watch Video:  Power, Privilege, and Oppression

 

  • Read assigned material
  • Watch video
  • Review the lecture material
  • Participate in Discussions

2

1,2,3,6

Topic: Identity: Who Am I?

  • Read assigned material
  • Watch videos
  • Review the lecture material
  • Participate in Discussions

3

1,2,3,5,6,7

Topics: Race and Racism

  • Read assigned material
  • Watch videos
  • Review the lecture material
  • Participate in Discussions

4

1,2,3,4,5,6,7

Topic: Understanding Classism

  • Read and review assigned material
  • Watch videos
  • Review the lecture material
  • Participate in Discussions
  • Complete Midterm Exam

5

1,2,3,4,5,6,7

Topics: Spirituality and Religion

  • Read and Review: 
    • Readings for Diversity and Social Justice, Section 4
      • Overview of Religious Oppression by Adams and MacDonald-Dennis
      • Christian Privilege and the Promotion of “Secular” and Not-So “Secular” mainline Christianity in Public Schooling and in the Larger Society by Blumenfield
      • Examples of Christian Privilege by Killermann
    • Review website: Equity Versus Equality - AECF
    • Watch Video:  33 Reasons why It is Great to Be Christian in the U.S.
  • Read and review assigned material
  • Watch video
  • Review the lecture material
  • Participate in Discussions
  • Submit Group Case Study

6

1,2,3,5,6,7

Topics: Sexism, Heterosexism, and Trans Oppression

  • Read and Review: 
    • Readings for Diversity and Social Justice, Section 5
      • Introduction by Catalano, Blumenfeld, & Hackman
      • Transmisogyny 101: What it is and What Can We Do About It by Kacere
      • Privilege by Carbado
  • Read assigned material
  • Review the lecture material
  • Participate in Discussions

7

1,2,3,5,6,7

Topics: Ableism and Ageism

  • Read and Review: 
    • Readings for Diversity and Social Justice, Sections 6 and 7
      • Ableism: Introduction by Finneran & Peters
      • Disabled Behind Bars by Vallas
      • Youth Oppression & Elder Oppression: Introduction by DeJong and Love
    • Watch Video: Readings for Diversity and Social Justice: Ageism
  • Read assigned material
  • Watch video
  • Review the lecture material
  • Participate in Discussions

8

1,2,3,4,5,6,7

Topics: Equity, Inclusion and Liberation

  • Read and Review: 
    • Readings for Diversity and Social Justice, Section 8
      • Introduction by Zuniga
      • Allies by Anzaldua
      • Courage by Cornell West
  • Read assigned material
  • Review the lecture material
  •  Submit DEI Self Study Paper
  • Complete Final Exam 
  • Complete Course Evaluation

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.