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Unit outline_

WORK6115: Managing Diversity and Inclusion at Work

Intensive September, 2021 [Block mode] - Remote

This unit examines the ways in which organisations manage a heterogeneous workforce and the legal and ethical issues associated with the management of workforce diversity. While drawing on international literature in the field, the primary focus is on the Australian experience, including the so-called 'program' approach and the complaint mechanism found in the anti-discrimination statutes. As well as encouraging the development of diagnostic and prescriptive skills in diversity management, students also have the opportunity to develop a critical perspective on the growing literature in this field.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Work and Organisational Studies
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Dimitria Groutsis, dimitria.groutsis@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Dimitria Groutsis, dimitria.groutsis@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Take-home extended release) Type E final exam Final Exam
n/a
40% Week 09
Due date: 11 Oct 2021 at 23:59
24 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Assignment group assignment Assignment 1
n/a
10% Week 09 1000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Assignment Assignment 2
n/a
30% Week 13 2500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Presentation group assignment Facilitation
n/a
15% Weekly n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Participation Participation
n/a
5% Weekly n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
group assignment = group assignment ?
Type E final exam = Type E final exam ?

Assessment summary

  • Facilitation: In groups of 3 to 4, you are required to pitch your idea around a specific aspect of diversity. As the facilitators, you are encouraged to engage the whole class and you are encouraged to be an expert in the particular topic, having completed all the readings.
  • Assignment 1: In light of your research/facilitation and class feedback during the facilitation, you will submit a group report.
  • This will be a professional report which will outline the central reason for the diversity and inclusion focus, and the need for change in the organisation (that you are facilitating your pitch to).
  • Assignment 2: Critically evaluate the case that the rise of diversity and inclusion policies in organisations has assisted a broad and diverse group of men and women workers to access all positions equally in organisations.
  • Final exam: Will require students to respond to two compulsory questions. The purpose of these questions is to engage students in the whole unit.
  • Participation: Seminar attendance and participation are compulsory. You are required to actively engage in all seminar discussion. To do so you will need to come prepared having done the readings and as such display an active understanding of the topic area.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school. 

Distinction

75 - 84

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Credit

65 - 74

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Pass

50 - 64

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school. 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Trends and Patterns: State of play in diversity and inclusion Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Origins of a concept: Managing Diversity at Work and Diversity Policies and Practices in Australia and Around the World Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management Practice Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 02 Diversity & Inclusion and Gender Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Diversity & Inclusion and Sexuality Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Diversity & Inclusion and Age Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Diversity & Inclusion and Indigenous Workers Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 03 Diversity & Inclusion and People with Disabilities Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Diversity & Inclusion, Flexibility, Work & Family Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Diversity & Inclusion and Cultural diversity Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Diversity and Inclusion Conclusion, Overview and future directions Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  

Attendance and class requirements

Lecture recordings: All lectures and seminars are recorded and will be available on Canvas for student use. Please note the business school does not own the system and cannot guarantee that the system will operate or that every class will be recorded. Students should ensure they attend and participate in all classes.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. demonstrate mastery of key D and I theories and concepts addressed in the course, and the ability to draw on examples to illustrate business knowledge in D and I
  • LO2. demonstrate mastery of relevant knowledge and ability to question existing conventional wisdom and practice, and apply relevant theories, concepts, and examples in insightful ways to substantiate claims, and also demonstrate the ability to evaluate the D and I space - by questioning, assessing, and responding independently and creatively to assumptions, propositions, and debates within D and I practice
  • LO3. apply a range of quantitative and qualitative research skills to identify and diagnose complex and unfamiliar problems surrounding D and I, and use evidence and findings generated, to formulate strategically appropriate solutions/analyses to core debates in D and I, and also synthesise major arguments and perspectives, substantiate claims by providing appropriate breadth and depth of examples/evidence, and reference material (primary and secondary source material), and propose and justify appropriate response to questions/problems
  • LO4. develop a persuasive argument/negotiation/outcome through a written and verbal communication strategy, and communicate solutions appropriately, based on audience, and to a professional standard
  • LO5. debate, discuss, and solve problems by working in teams: that is, display capable team leadership skills and team collaboration skills
  • LO6. consider and deliver on ethical and social justice issues underscoring D and I debates and solutions.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.