MGT 330: Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace

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:

  1. Define and understand the importance of diversity in organizations.
  2. Identify and explain what “diversity” encompasses in the United States and some of the considerations used in determining the relevant diversity concerns in other areas.
  3. Synthesize how changing population demographics and associated effects impact workforce and customer diversity.
  4. Interpret and explain interrelationships among diversity, discrimination, and inclusion.
  5. Defend and discuss research on the individual and organizational benefits of diversity and inclusion.
  6. Recognize how different types of diversity add value in a business or personal life environment.
  7. Analyze the adverse outcomes of increasing diversity, given the inevitability of growing diversity, and how organizations can reduce these adverse outcomes.

Course Activities and Grading

AssignmentsWeight

Discussions (Weeks 1-8)

30%

Quizzes (Weeks 1-8)

10%

Case Studies (Weeks 2, 6 & 7)

10%

Reflective Papers (Week 3-5)

15%

Midterm Project (Week 4)

15%

Final Project (Week 8)

20%

Total

100%

Required Textbooks

Available through Charter Oak State College's Book Bundle

  • Bell, Myrtle. Diversity in Organizations. 5th ed. Cengage Learning, 2025. 

 

Course Schedule

Week

SLOs

Readings and Exercises

Assignments

1

1,2

Topics: Introduction - Theoretical Backgrounds, and Foundation Legislation

  • Reading and Review:
    • Read Introduction
    • Read Chapter 1 
  • Read the assigned chapters
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the discussions
  • Complete the Week 1 Quiz

2

2,3

Topics: Theoretical Background and Foundation

  • Reading and Review
    • Read Chapters 2 and 3
    • Review the video “How to get serious about diversity and inclusion in the workplace” | Ted Talks
  • Read the assigned chapters
  • Review the assigned video
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the discussions
  • Complete the Week 2 Quiz
  • Submit the Week 2 Case Study

3

4,6

Topics: Blacks/African Americans & Latinos/Hispanics/Latinx 

  • Reading and Review:
    • Read Chapters 4 and 5
  • Read the assigned chapters
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the discussions
  • Complete the Week 3 Quiz
  • Submit the Week 3 Reflective Paper

4

2,5

Topics: Asians/Asian Americans & Whites/Anglo Americans 

  • Reading and Review:
    • Read Chapters 6 and 7
  • Read the assigned chapters
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the discussions
  • Complete the Week 4 Quiz
  • Submit the Week 4 Midterm Project

5

2,7

Topics: Native Americans and Multiracial Group Members & Sex and Gender

  • Reading and Review:
    • Read Chapters 8 and 9
  • Read the assigned chapters
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the discussions
  • Complete the Week 5 Quiz
  • Submit the Week 5 Reflection Paper

6

6,7

Topic: Work and Family, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity & Religion

  • Reading and Review:
    • Read Chapters 10, 11, and 12
    • Review the video “LGBTQ: Understanding Sexual Orientation and Gender Identities” | Ted Talks
  • Read the assigned chapters
  • Review the assigned video
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the discussions
  • Complete the Week 6 Quiz
  • Submit the Week 6 Case Study

7

3,6,7

Topics: Age & Physical and Mental Ability 

  • Reading and Review:
    • Read Chapters 13 and 14
    • Review the video “Ageism in the workplace: What older workers can do to stay employed” | CBS
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Review the assigned video
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the discussions
  • Complete the Week 7 Quiz
  • Submit the Week 7 Case Study

8

3,7

Topics: Weight and Appearance  & Global Diversity 

  • Reading and Review:
    • Chapters 15 and 16
  • Read the assigned chapters
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the discussions
  • Complete the Week 8 Quiz
  • Submit the Week 8 Final Project
  • Complete the 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.