Aims of the course
- To provide an introduction to the key concepts in diversity.
- To analyse power and privilege.
- To critically engage with the policy and practice of diversity in the workplace, community, and society.
Target audience
This course is for those interested in how and why we are different and its impact on our lives. This course focuses on the foundational aspects of diversity through discussions and analysis of key diversity concepts.
Course content overview
Diversity at a strategic and operational level in a volatile world presents numerous dilemmas/condundrums. These involve diversity domains and their intersections such as gender, ethnicity, disability, invisible diversity, age, and religion. How do we view power and privilege? What makes us different? How would we like to engage with others and how would we like others to engage with us? What is the construction of inequality? How do shifting mobilities impact diversity? In addressing some of these questions we will engage at a micro (individual), meso (organisational/community, and macro (society/country) level in an intriguing journey into diverse spaces.
Schedule (this course is completed entirely online)
Orientation Week: 7-13 July 2025
Teaching Weeks: 14 July-17 August 2025
Feedback Week: 18-24 August 2025
Week 1 - Understanding diversity
This week we will introduce key diversity theories and dilemmas/conundrums. We will explore subjects such as ‘Diversity domains’ and 'Theories/Frameworks of diversity.
Learning objectives:
- To familiarise ourselves with various diversity domains
- To understand theories/frameworks of diversity.
- To reflect on how diversity impacts our lives.
Week 2 - Gender
This week we will explore gender. This will include female, male, LGBTIQ+ categories and how they intersect with power and privilege.
Learning objectives:
- To familiarise ourselves with gender identities.
- To continue to understand how gender impacts power and privilege.
Week 3 - Ethnicity/Race
This week we will look to understand how ethnicity and race contribute to diversity at a strategic and operational level. We will also discuss how global mobilities impact diversity.
Learning objectives:
- To develop an understanding of ethnicity/race.
- to interpret the impact of global mobilities in their specific context.
Week 4 - Religious/Faith/Spiritual Diversity
This week we will ask why is religion/faith spirituality part of diversity? What does the expression of religion at work entail?
Learning objectives:
- To explore the impact of faith at a micro/meso/macro level.
- To continue interpreting intersectionality.
Week 5 - Age, disability, and invisible diversities
How do we view older individuals? Why does age make a difference? In a world that is increasingly becoming older, some key tenets which facilitate age will be explored. Invisible diversities such as dyslexia, PTSD will be discussed.
Learning objectives:
- To engage with inequality, power and privilege.
- To understand our own age band and its implications for your identity and interaction with the broader community.
Each week of an online course is roughly equivalent to 2-3 hours of classroom time. On top of this, participants should expect to spend roughly 2-3 hours reading material, etc., although this will vary from person to person.
While they have a specific start and end date and will follow a weekly schedule (for example, week 1 will cover topic A, week 2 will cover topic B), our tutor-led online courses are designed to be flexible and as such would normally not require participants to be online for a specific day of the week or time of the day (although some tutors may try to schedule times where participants can be online together for web seminars, which will be recorded so that those who are unable to be online at certain times are able to access material).
Virtual Learning Environment
Unless otherwise stated, all course material will be posted on the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) so that they can be accessed at any time throughout the duration of the course and interaction with your tutor and fellow participants will take place through a variety of different ways which will allow for both synchronous and asynchronous learning (discussion boards etc).
Certificate of participation
A Certificate of Participation will be awarded to participants who contribute constructively to weekly discussions and exercises/assignments for the duration of the course.
