HR6052 - Approaches to Diversity Management (2017/18)
Module specification | Module approved to run in 2017/18 | ||||||||||||
Module title | Approaches to Diversity Management | ||||||||||||
Module level | Honours (06) | ||||||||||||
Credit rating for module | 15 | ||||||||||||
School | Guildhall School of Business and Law | ||||||||||||
Total study hours | 150 | ||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||
Assessment components |
|
||||||||||||
Running in 2017/18(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) | No instances running in the year |
Module summary
This module aims to equip students with a range of conceptual and analytical tools to understand the dynamics of diversity policies and practices in organisations by drawing on a variety of theoretical frameworks in relation to such issues as identity, marginalisation, power and discourse.
It particularly concentrates on three areas: diversity in employment and global context; theoretical understanding of the key issues and managerial practices and initiatives.
Module aims
The module aims is to explore the idea that diversity and equality are social constructs whose meaning cannot be separated from their social and political context. It will achieve this by:
- Exploring the implications of anti-discrimination legislation (British and European Union) for organisations.
- Assessing the external context of diversity and equality, including the labour market, demographic trends and the wider social, economic and political context.
- Introducing theoretical and conceptual perspectives relating to disadvantage, discrimination, equality and diversity in employment
Key Skills:
- Academic Writing / Literacy
- Oral communication
- Researching skills
- Application of knowledge and Presenting Data
- Critical thinking
- Problem-solving
- Self-assessment and reflection
Syllabus
The indicative syllabus for this module will include:
Diversity in employment context
• Work employment: Trends and patterns
• Demographic and Social Changes
• Gender issues ad challenges
• Discrimination Legislation
Theoretical understandings
• Social Identity
• Power and leadership
• Understanding employment segregation
• Revisiting the Business Case
• Corporate Social Responsibility
Managerial practices and initiatives
• Equality and diversity policy in European context
• Diversity initiatives and HRM strategies
• Diversity training – creating a global vision
• The future of Equality and Diversity
Learning and teaching
The learning and teaching strategy of this module is based on blended learning. It is delivered through a programme of lectures, seminars and online resources.
The seminars will offer an opportunity to facilitate class discussions and to use theoretical understanding to reflect on diversity practices and initiatives. Students therefore will need to read widely.
A list of further reading that is directly relevant to each session is also suggested in the module handbook and on WebLearn. This will help to broaden their understanding of diversity management within a wider context.
Learning outcomes
On completing the module students will be able to:
1) Critically evaluate the role, efficacy and utility of diversity and equality policy in the achievement of organisational and ethical goals.
2) Situate equality and diversity within a broader social, economic, political and legislative context.
3) Know how to apply the requirements of relevant legislation and identify the implications within an organisational setting.
4) Demonstrate appropriate research, analytical and communication skills.
Assessment strategy
Assessment will be based on two pieces of work:
- First component of this module is a group presentation (40%) where students have to assess either a piece of legislation and discuss to what extent their chosen organisation applies the legislation.
- The second assessment is a written assignment (60%) which includes two components: an analysis of a current newspaper article chosen from a list of articles provided by the module leader and a personal reflective report.
Bibliography
Essential:
Kirton, G. and A.M. Greene, (2010) The Dynamics of Managing Diversity: A Critical Approach, Butterworth Heinemann, Oxford
John, J. and Clements, P. (2008) The Diversity Training Handbook: A Practical Guide to Understanding and Changing Attitudes, 3rd Ed, London, Kogan Page.
Further Reading:
• Cornelius, N. (ed.) (2002) Building Workplace Equality: Ethics, Diversity and Inclusion Thomson
• Kandola, B. (2009) The Value of Difference: Eliminating Bias in Organisations, Pearn Kandola.
• Kandola, R. and J. Fullerton (2003) ed. Diversity in Action, Managing the Mosaic, CIPD
• Konrad, A.M., Prasad, P. and Pringle, J.K. (2006) Handbook of Workplace Diversity London: Sage
• Harvey, C.P and M.J. Allard (2005) Understanding and Managing Diversity, Pearson.
• Mason, D. (2003) ed. Explaining Ethnic Differences: Changing patterns of disadvantage in Britain, Policy Press, Bristol
• Noon, M. and E. Ogbonna (2001) Equality, Diversity and Disadvantage in Employment, Palgrave
• Thompson, N. (2003) Promoting Equality London: Palgrave
• Wrench, J. (2005) Diversity management can be bad for you, in Race and Class Vol. 46 (3) 73-84 Sage
Websites:
• www.equalityhumanrights.com
• www.stonewallorg.uk
• www.cipd.co.uk
• www.statistics.gov.uk