We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.
Course image
Laura Morgan Roberts, Toni Irving, Martin N. Davidson, Gregory Fairchild, Sean Martin, and Lili Powell

The summer of 2020 has brought issues of equity and race to the forefront of society. How do we create tolerant and just climates at work? Changing the culture of an organization is challenging in the best of circumstances; today, it can seem impossible. Yet, it is more necessary and urgent than ever to address these issues thoughtfully and with effective practices that can produce real change. Six Darden professors have designed this teach-out to bring you the latest scholarship and best practices on diversity, equity and inclusion and organizational change. You'll learn how to identify and counteract inequity in organizations, how to build the business case for diversity and inclusion, and how managers can constructively address inequity. You'll also learn how to promote the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion at work, how to have difficult conversations, and how to manage and lead change.

Enroll now

What's inside

Syllabus

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Organizations
The first module of this teachout is designed to enable you to identify and counteract the challenges of diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace. Through a dynamic conversation among six leading scholars from The Darden School of Business, you'll learn how the societal issues of diversity, equity and inclusion are reflected in our workplaces, how advancing diversity and equity efforts requires us to think about the ways in which we position people in organizations, and how our individual histories with race affect how we bring our best selves to work. You'll also learn how to begin to address the challenges of leading change in diversity, equity and inclusion in your organization.
Read more

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Explores racial and social issues that are highly relevant in the current business climate
Taught by six leading scholars, offering diverse perspectives on a complex issue
Addresses systematic, institutional, and individual biases that may lead to inequity
Emphasizes the importance of inner grit and grace when leading change in DEI
Provides strategies to address inequity calmly and constructively
Requires learners to come in with some background knowledge on DEI

Save this course

Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.
Save

Reviews summary

Essential workplace d&i foundations

According to students, this Foundations of Diversity and Inclusion at Work TeachOut provides a timely and insightful overview of crucial workplace topics. Learners consistently praise the exceptional professors for their knowledgeable and engaging lectures, which deliver practical frameworks and actionable strategies that can be immediately applied. The course is highlighted as an excellent foundational resource, particularly for those new to D&I or seeking a refresher. However, some learners with prior D&I experience noted that while the content is well-organized and concise, it can feel high-level or lack the depth needed for advanced practitioners, especially regarding specific industry case studies.
Highly pertinent to current workplace D&I challenges.
"This course was incredibly insightful and timely."
"Absolutely essential for today's work environment."
"Timely and impactful. The insights into systemic biases were eye-opening."
"The course addresses current issues that are crucial for today's workplaces."
Taught by highly knowledgeable and engaging professors.
"The professors were exceptional, offering practical frameworks and strategies..."
"The instructors shared powerful insights."
"The professors were knowledgeable and passionate."
"I appreciated the depth of knowledge the instructors brought to each module."
Offers a strong introductory understanding of D&I concepts.
"A good foundational course. It covers the basics well and provides some solid principles."
"Still, a very valuable starting point for anyone new to D&I or looking to refresh their understanding."
"This course is a must for leaders and managers. It provides a solid foundation."
"I gained a solid foundation from completing this course."
Provides immediate, applicable strategies for the workplace.
"offering practical frameworks and strategies that I could immediately apply in my workplace."
"particularly appreciated the focus on having difficult conversations and practical steps for organizational change."
"This course truly empowers you to be an agent of change."
"I learned how to use practical tools and strategies that I could apply immediately to my work."
May be too high-level for those with prior D&I experience.
"some parts felt a bit high-level for my specific industry challenges."
"I was hoping for more specific case studies related to tech companies."
"Found it too superficial... it lacked the depth needed for real organizational change."
"More theoretical than practical for advanced practitioners."
"I felt it was a decent primer, but not transformative for someone already familiar with D&I concepts."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Foundations of Diversity and Inclusion at Work TeachOut with these activities:
Connect with Professionals in Diversity and Inclusion
Mentors can provide guidance, support, and insights into the field of diversity and inclusion.
Show steps
  • Attend industry events and conferences
  • Reach out to individuals on LinkedIn
  • Join professional organizations
Review change management skills
Identify and target weak areas to bridge ahead of taking the course to improve learning outcomes.
Show steps
  • Practice active listening techniques
  • Take an online course or workshop on change management
  • Read articles and books on change management
Review 'Dismantling Racism' by Ibram X. Kendi
This book will help you understand the history of racism and its role in organizations, providing a foundation for the course.
Show steps
  • Read the introduction and first two chapters
  • Take notes on key concepts
  • Consider how the concepts apply to your own experiences
Eight other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all 11 activities
Complete Online Courses on Diversity and Inclusion
These courses will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the latest research and best practices in diversity and inclusion.
Browse courses on Diversity
Show steps
  • Research and identify relevant courses
  • Enroll in and complete the courses
  • Apply what you've learned to your work
Create a Presentation on Unconscious Bias
Creating a presentation will reinforce your understanding of unconscious bias and help you develop your communication skills.
Browse courses on Unconscious Bias
Show steps
  • Research the topic
  • Identify key points and examples
  • Create a visually engaging presentation
  • Practice delivering the presentation
Participate in Role-playing Exercises on Difficult Conversations
These exercises will provide you with a safe space to practice having difficult conversations about diversity and inclusion.
Browse courses on Difficult Conversations
Show steps
  • Identify potential scenarios
  • Prepare your responses
  • Role-play the conversation
  • Reflect on your experience
Practice using the Organization Change Model
Solidify understanding of the Organization Change Model by working through examples.
Show steps
  • Find tutorials on the Organization Change Model
  • Follow the steps in the model to analyze case studies
  • Discuss your findings with a mentor or peer
Develop a Diversity and Inclusion Plan
This project will allow you to apply the principles of diversity and inclusion to a real-world scenario, enhancing your understanding of their implementation.
Browse courses on Diversity
Show steps
  • Identify the key areas to improve
  • Research best practices
  • Develop a plan with specific goals and actions
  • Pitch your plan to a mentor or colleague
Design a Training Program on Diversity and Inclusion
Designing a training program will provide you with practical experience in developing and implementing diversity and inclusion initiatives.
Show steps
  • Identify the objectives and target audience
  • Develop the curriculum
  • Create interactive exercises and activities
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of the program
Lead a peer discussion
Test your understanding of course concepts by sharing knowledge with peers.
Show steps
  • Choose a topic related to the course material
  • Prepare a presentation or discussion points
  • Facilitate a discussion with your peers
  • Get feedback from your peers
Contribute to Open-Source Projects on Diversity and Inclusion
Contributing to open-source projects will allow you to apply your skills and knowledge while making a positive impact on the community.
Show steps
  • Identify projects that align with your interests
  • Review the codebase and documentation
  • Make contributions to the project

Career center

Learners who complete Foundations of Diversity and Inclusion at Work TeachOut will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Diversity and Inclusion Manager
Diversity and Inclusion Managers are crucial in improving the workplace culture of an organization. This course can help you prepare for the role by enabling you to learn how to implement programs and policies that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion. You will also learn how to manage and lead change, having conversations about identity, pain and power, and building a business case for diversity and inclusion.
Manager of Diversity
Diversity Managers are responsible for developing and implementing diversity and inclusion initiatives within an organization. This course can help you prepare for the role by teaching you how to build a business case for diversity and inclusion, as well as how to manage and lead change. You will also learn about the challenges of diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace and how to have conversations about identity, pain and power.
Inclusion Manager
Inclusion Managers are responsible for creating and implementing programs that promote diversity and inclusion within an organization. This course can enable you to learn how to identify and counteract the challenges of diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace. You will also learn about how to build a business case for diversity and inclusion and implement it through tough conversations.
Advocacy Manager
An Advocacy Manager will take on a leadership role when it comes to social issues, leading diversity and inclusion initiatives from within a company. This course can help build a foundation for the role by enabling you to learn how to identify and counteract the challenges of diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace. You will learn how to make a business case for diversity and inclusion, implement it through tough conversations, and address inequity in a calm and constructive manner.
Diversity Consultant
Diversity Consultants help organizations create and implement diversity and inclusion initiatives. This course can help you prepare for the role by enabling you to learn about the importance of diversity in the workplace and become comfortable with having conversations about it. You will also learn how to build a business case for diversity and inclusion, which is a valuable skill for a Diversity Consultant.
Equity Director
Equity Directors are responsible for promoting diversity and inclusion at all levels of an organization. This course can provide you with a strong foundation for the role by helping you understand the challenges of diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace. You will also learn how to develop a business case for diversity and inclusion, implement it through tough conversations, and manage and lead change.
Training and Development Manager
Training and Development Managers are responsible for planning, developing, and implementing training programs for employees. This course can enable you to learn how to develop and implement programs that promote diversity and inclusion within an organization. You will also learn about the challenges of diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace and how to have conversations about identity, pain and power.
Human Resources Manager
Human Resources Managers are responsible for managing all aspects of human resources within an organization. This includes recruiting, hiring, training, development, and compensation. This course can help you enhance your knowledge by enabling you to learn about the importance of diversity and inclusion in the workplace and become comfortable with having conversations about it. You will also learn how to build a business case for diversity and inclusion, which can be a valuable skill for a Human Resources Manager.
Inclusion Specialist
This course may be useful for Inclusion Specialists who want to improve diversity and inclusion in their organizations. You will learn about the challenges of diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace, as well as how to build a business case for diversity and inclusion. You will also learn how to manage and lead change, which may be useful for Inclusion Specialists.
Organizational Development Consultant
Organizational Development Consultants help organizations improve their performance through a variety of interventions. This course may be useful for Organizational Development Consultants by enabling you to learn more about the challenges of diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace. You will also learn how to build a business case for diversity and inclusion, which can be a valuable skill for an Organizational Development Consultant.
Diversity Recruiter
This course may be useful for Diversity Recruiters who want to improve diversity and inclusion in their organizations. You will learn about the challenges of diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace, as well as how to build a business case for diversity and inclusion. You will also learn how to manage and lead change, which may be useful for Diversity Recruiters.
Diversity Trainer
This course may be useful for Diversity Trainers who want to improve diversity and inclusion in their organizations. You will learn about the challenges of diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace, as well as how to build a business case for diversity and inclusion. You will also learn how to manage and lead change, which may be useful for Diversity Trainers.
Equal Employment Opportunity Officer
This course may be useful for Equal Employment Opportunity Officers who want to improve diversity and inclusion in their organizations. You will learn about the challenges of diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace, as well as how to build a business case for diversity and inclusion. You will also learn how to manage and lead change, which may be useful for Equal Employment Opportunity Officers.
Chief Diversity Officer
This course may be useful for Chief Diversity Officers who want to improve diversity and inclusion in their organizations. You will learn about the challenges of diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace, as well as how to build a business case for diversity and inclusion. You will also learn how to manage and lead change, which is a valuable skill for Chief Diversity Officers.
Nonprofit Director
This course may be useful for Nonprofit Directors who want to improve diversity and inclusion in their organizations. You will learn about the challenges of diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace, as well as how to build a business case for diversity and inclusion. You will also learn how to manage and lead change, which is a valuable skill for Nonprofit Directors.

Reading list

We've selected 12 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Foundations of Diversity and Inclusion at Work TeachOut.
Valuable for its focus on actively listening and facilitating difficult conversations.
Provides a practical framework for developing cultural intelligence, which is essential for leading effectively in a diverse and globalized world.
More focused on unconscious bias than other aspects of diversity and inclusion, this book will aid learners in understanding its impact on the workplace.
Offers unique insights and guidance that can be applied in organizational settings.
Provides a compelling argument for the benefits of diversity, including increased creativity, innovation, and problem-solving.
Provides a powerful and thought-provoking examination of white fragility, which key barrier to racial progress.
Classic work of literature that explores the complex and often painful experiences of Black people in America.

Share

Help others find this course page by sharing it with your friends and followers:

Similar courses

Similar courses are unavailable at this time. Please try again later.
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2025 OpenCourser