Course Description
Educating economically and culturally diverse students for work and at work, including characteristics of individuals deemed at risk of school failure, relationship of poverty and cultural diversity, applicable legislation, and educational and societal responsibilities.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Each graduate student will publish and maintain an interactive
blog/journal focused on a selected dimension of diversity
(personality, internal, external, or organizational) that
includes targeted discussion and information. Each blog/journal
will include a reflection section that focuses on what the
student has learned about the chosen dimension of diversity,
what he or she has struggled with, and what he or she has found
that helped them learn more.
Athena Title
Diversity in CTAE
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in WFED 5560E or WFED 7560E
Semester Course Offered
Offered spring and summer
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
1. Establish and clarify a definition and philosophy (personal and professional) about diversity in the learning environment and the workplace. 2. Nurture an attitude that acknowledges a responsibility to all students and workers. 3. Examine the dynamics of diversity as it relates to student and worker participation in education and work. 4. Understand the complexities of issues pertinent to educating and training a diverse workforce including diversity consciousness, diversity skills, multicultural education, curriculum, school policy, communication, and teamwork. 5. Examine and discuss multiple identities and educational and workplace needs of students and workers. 6. Determine instructional issues and solutions for learners from diverse backgrounds. 7. Understand social and cultural dimensions of educating students from diverse backgrounds.
Topical Outline
1. Orientation to the course 2. Diversity in the learning environment 3. Overview of diversity: aspects of diversity, understanding diversity 4. Respecting diversity in the classroom 5. Goals and misconceptions about diversity 6. Transforming the mainstream curriculum, the power of culture, cultural diversity in classrooms, teaching in diverse classrooms 7. America's children: at risk of school failure, culturally affirming instruction, resilience 8. Diversity skills and success, personal and social barriers to success 9. Race, race relations, racial equality, ethnicity, gender, and social class issues 10. Developing a diversity consciousness, effective programs 11. Diversity in the workplace 12. Diversity effectiveness in the workplace 13. Diversity and multicultural communication in the workplace 14. Using diversity as a workplace resource 15. Diversity and workplace management issues 16. Best practices across organizations 17. Native, non-English speaking; ESOL 18. Workplace assimilation and/or pluralism