Course Description:

This class really allowed for some courage and vulnerability to express the viewpoints that we believe, see, and represent in the workplace, and in how this relates to diversity. We started out this class by talking about the implications of race, identity, and intercultural communication in the organizational workplace. We looked at the ‘social construction’ of the workplace and how we feel our identities represent the culture of our organizations. This was paired with discussions on who we identify as, how we believe others identify us, and how this affects our organizational interactions. We parlayed this into the gender roles within the workplaces, and how social changes have been made and the social changes that still need to be made, including the social construction of the future and the old habits that are in the workplace that are difficult to break. We then further examined the diversity of different social classes and how this might affect one’s thinking as well as the work that is expected within different social class mindsets and the way this is communicated differently. Lastly, we further looked into the ideas of how diversity and intercultural concepts develop competent leaders and communicators.

 

Course Artifact:

I’ve attached my final PowerPoint presentation that covers the details on social identity and diversity. This was summarized with the ideas of being proactive in diversity learning, understanding the backgrounds of others, and using differences to work together.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Course Materials:

 

Books:

Allen, B. (2010). Difference matters: Communicating social identity, 2nd ed. Longrove, IL: Waveland Press.

 

Bordas, J. (2007). Salsa, soul, and spirit: Leadership for a multicultural age. San Francisco: Berrett Koehler.

 

Hooks, bell (2000) Where we stand: Class matters. New York: Routledge

 

Samovar, L., Porter, R.,& McDaniel, E. (2009). Intercultural communication: A reader, 12th ed. Boston: Wadsworth.

 

Films:

Cheadle, D., Haggis, P., Harris, M., Moresco, B., Schulman, C., & Yari, B. (Producers), & Hagis, P. (Director). (2004). Crash. [Motion Picture]. United States: Lions Gate Entertainment.

 

Bialic, G., Gorai, T., Skinner, D., & Wing, G. (Producers), & Jeffcoat, J. (Director). (2006). Outsourced. [Motion Picture]. United States: Dream Catcher Entertainment.

 

Black, T., Blumenthal, J., Lassiter, J., Smith, W., & Tisch, S. (Producers), & Muccino, G. (Director). (2006). The pursuit of happyness. [Motion Picture]. United States: Columbia Pictures.

 

Kennedy, K., Rigault, X., & Robert, M. (Producers), & Satrapi, M., & Paronnaud, V. (Directors). (2007). Persepolis. [Motion Picture]. France: Sony Pictures Classics.