Examine the challenges, rewards, policies and practices associated with managing today's increasingly diverse workforce. Diversity and inclusion have the potential to enhance the performance of employees and their organisation, yet the benefits of diversity are only realised with effective management and HR policies and practices.

This course focuses specifically on the psychological processes of individuals and groups in the workplace, and the extent to which these processes impact on how individual and groups interact with each other and their performance. Furthermore, you will analyse the impact of organisational and community characteristics on the diversity and inclusion of employees and associated policies and practices.

 

Course coordinator

Dr Raymond Trau, Lecturer - School of Management

Learning outcomes

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

  • Distinguish the behavioral, cultural and everyday experiences of a diverse range of identity groups in organisations (e.g., gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, ability/disability, appearance, age and religion);
  • Explain the psychological process that influence our own and others' assumptions, attitudes and stereotypes regarding differences in diversity;
  • Examine and discuss the specific challenges, as well as the potential value of diversity and inclusion, and why diversity management is needed for organisations and the community;
  • Design diversity and inclusion policies and practices to enhance employee and organisational performance; and
  • Apply concepts and tools to engage with others in culturally diverse and technically complex situations.

Assessment

Assessment for this course will occur at various times across the seven-week teaching period. In most cases, assessment should follow a similar structure to the below:

  • A short assessment may occur in the first couple of weeks, driven mostly by peer-assessment or objective feedback as is the case of a survey quiz or contribution to discussion.
  • Assessments that occur mid-study period (approximately week 2 to 5) will have a highly formative purpose, like an extended case study or a scenario role play. These are intended to provide an indication of performance and occur at this time to enable positive changes to future performance.
  • Final assessments are usually summative, and generally draw the course's threshold concepts together. Your previous assessments will have directly prepared you for a summative-style assessment.

Rich, online feedback will be provided to you throughout the teaching period on practical exercises and by individual consultation, ideally within five business days.


Please note, unit structure and content are subject to change. Contact your RMIT Student Enrolment Advisor on 1300 701 171 for more information based on your particular circumstances.