Course Title: Issues in Diversity

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Issues in Diversity

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

BUSM4500

City Campus

Postgraduate

630H Management

Face-to-Face

Sem 1 2018,
Sem 2 2018,
Sem 1 2019,
Sem 2 2019,
Sem 1 2020,
Sem 1 2021,
Sem 1 2022,
Sem 1 2024

Flexible Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

BUSM4596

RMIT Online

Postgraduate

630H Management

Internet

JanJun2018 (KP3)

BUSM4596

RMIT Online

Postgraduate

630H Management

Internet

JanJun2019 (KP1)

BUSM4596

RMIT Online

Postgraduate

630H Management

Internet

JulDec2019 (KP5)

BUSM4596

RMIT Online

Postgraduate

630H Management

Internet

JanJun2020 (KP3)

BUSM4596

RMIT Online

Postgraduate

630H Management

Internet

JanJun2021 (All)

BUSM4596

RMIT Online

Postgraduate

630H Management

Internet

JulDec2021 (KP5)

BUSM4596

RMIT Online

Postgraduate

630H Management

Internet

JanJun2022 (KP3)

BUSM4596

RMIT Online

Postgraduate

630H Management

Internet

JanJun2023 (All)

BUSM4596

RMIT Online

Postgraduate

630H Management

Internet

JulDec2023 (KP5)

BUSM4596

RMIT Online

Postgraduate

630H Management

Internet

JanJun2024 (KP3)

BUSM4596

RMIT Online

Postgraduate

630H Management

Internet

JanJun2025 (KP1)

Course Coordinator: Dr Hannah Meacham

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 0435

Course Coordinator Email: hannah.meacham@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: Level 9 Building 80

Course Coordinator Availability: By email appointment


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None


Course Description

This course examines the challenges, rewards, policies and practices associated with managing today’s increasingly diverse workforce. 

Studying this course will show that the inclusion of employees from diverse backgrounds enhances the performance of employees, and improves organisational culture and productivity. The benefits of diversity are realised with effective management and leadership combined with the implementation of ethical human resource policies and practices.

 

In this course theoretical frameworks pertaining to diversity are analysed to identify strategies that can and do support organisational success. These include various forms of rewards, challenges, effective policies and practices associated with leading and managing diverse workforces. Issues including culture, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, ability/disability, appearance, age, politics, religion, and social class – which are all relevant to diversity - permeate this course.

 

Societal opinions, norms and values, also have a significant impact on diversity and inclusivity for organisations. The understanding of diversity by individuals, and teams, and how their interaction contributes to organisational performance, is analysed in terms of its importance and features prominently in “Issues in Diversity.”


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

-


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

 

  1. Critically evaluate values and behaviour that influence our own and others’ assumptions, attitudes and stereotypes regarding diversity and inclusivity.
  2. Research the challenges and benefits of recruiting, supporting and developing staff from diverse backgrounds.
  3. Analyse the benefits of ethical workplaces leadership and management in the context of diversity in the workplace.
  4. Apply theoretical concepts and tools to ethically engage a diverse workforce within a range of employment situations and organisations.
  5. Evaluate diversity and inclusion policies, that are ethical, legislated, and adhere to best practice employee performance and organisational success.


Overview of Learning Activities

Learning activities are to provide an opportunity for you to discuss and apply diversity and inclusion theories and practices learned in this course. The course will use a mixture of learning activities in lectures incorporate cutting-edge learning activities and technologies, including:

  • Polls and quizzes;
  • Videos: expert opinion and case study demonstration;
  • Panel discussions with diversity experts

The course also provides you with an opportunity to analyse behaviours and management problems within a workplace context, in order to design relevant diversity and inclusion policies and practices. Active learning within an individual or group learning setting, will take the form of:

  • Case study analysis
  • Exercises
  • Scenario analysis
  • Debates


Overview of Learning Resources

Various learning resources are available online through MyRMIT Studies\Canvas. The lecture notes and workshop notes are posted on Canvas.

Resources are also available online through RMIT Library databases and other facilities. Visit the RMIT library website for further details. Assistance is available online via our chat and email services, face to face at our campus libraries or via the telephone on (03) 9925 2020.

Additional resources and/or sources to assist your learning will be identified by your course coordinator and will be made available to you as required during the teaching period. 


Overview of Assessment

The assessment alignment list below shows the assessment tasks against the learning outcomes they develop also below.

Assessment Task 1: 20%
Linked CLOs: 1,3,4 

Assessment Task 2: 40%
Linked CLOs: 2,3,4,5

Assessment Task 3: 40%
Linked CLOs: 1,2,3,4,5

Feedback will be provided throughout the semester in class and/or in online forums through individual and group feedback on practical exercises and by individual consultation.