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Megan Hansen-Rush,
Briana A. Savage,
and
Johan Yapo
In today's interconnected world, embracing diversity and promoting equity are not just moral imperatives, but key drivers of innovation and success. This course is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to create and support inclusive environments in all areas of your life and work.
Register for this course and see more details by visiting:
OpenCourser.com/course/v6iibm/foundational
What's inside
Learning objectives
- Understand implicit bias and microaggressions.
- Empower individuals to navigate communication blocks.
- Identify and respond to the identity-based needs in your personal and professional settings.
- Identify the cultural barriers lgbtqia+ individuals navigate in our world.
- Explain the social responsibility of the americans with disability act (ada) compliance.
- Understand how intersectional identities create complex interpersonal group dynamics.
- Describe how community engagement can inspire innovation and create opportunities for individual and organizational growth.
- Understand implicit bias and microaggressions.
- Empower individuals to navigate communication blocks.
- Identify and respond to the identity-based needs in your personal and professional settings.
- Identify the cultural barriers lgbtqia+ individuals navigate in our world.
- Explain the social responsibility of the americans with disability act (ada) compliance.
- Understand how intersectional identities create complex interpersonal group dynamics.
- Describe how community engagement can inspire innovation and create opportunities for individual and organizational growth.
Traffic lights
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause and
possible dealbreakers
Explores implicit bias and microaggressions, which are critical for fostering inclusive environments and improving interpersonal relationships
Empowers individuals to navigate communication blocks, which is essential for effective collaboration and conflict resolution in diverse settings
Examines the social responsibility of The Americans with Disability Act (ADA) compliance, which is crucial for creating accessible and equitable environments
Teaches how intersectional identities create complex interpersonal group dynamics, which is important for understanding and addressing systemic inequalities
Describes how community engagement can inspire innovation and create opportunities for individual and organizational growth, which is valuable for social impact
Requires learners to identify and respond to identity-based needs, which may require a degree of self-reflection and vulnerability that some may find challenging
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Reviews summary
Foundational dei principles and awareness
According to learners, this course provides a solid and clear introduction to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Students found the explanations of key concepts like implicit bias, microaggressions, and intersectionality to be well-explained and the sensitive topics were handled with care and sensitivity. Many felt it offered practical insights for communication and creating inclusive environments. However, some noted it might be too basic if you already have prior experience in DEI, and a few desired more depth on specific implementation strategies. Overall, it serves as a valuable starting point for foundational understanding.
Offers practical insights but some desire more depth.
"I felt empowered to have better conversations at work."
"Could have gone deeper into specific strategies for implementation in organizations."
"I didn't feel equipped to handle real-world situations based on the content alone."
Suggestions of content updates over time.
"Much improved from previous iterations, I've heard from others."
"The updated content feels more relevant now."
Explanations are clear and topics handled with care.
"Praises the clear structure and practical examples."
"Very important topics handled with sensitivity."
"The material was handled with sensitivity and clarity, which I appreciated."
Provides a good introduction to key DEI concepts.
"Good introduction to DEI basics."
"Highly recommend for anyone wanting to start learning about DEI."
"This course provided me with a solid foundation."
"I learned the foundational concepts well."
May be too basic for those with prior knowledge.
"This course was a bit basic for me as I already had some exposure to DEI."
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 Foundational Approaches to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion with these
activities:
Review Key Concepts in Social Justice
Show steps
Refresh your understanding of core social justice concepts to build a strong foundation for the course.
Browse courses on
Social Justice
Show steps
-
Review definitions of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
-
Research the historical context of social justice movements.
-
Identify key figures and events in social justice history.
Read 'Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People'
Show steps
Explore the science of implicit bias to better understand its impact on decision-making and interpersonal interactions.
View
Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People
on Amazon
Show steps
-
Read the book 'Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People'.
-
Reflect on personal biases and how they might manifest.
-
Discuss the book's concepts with peers or colleagues.
Create a Personal Reflection Journal
Show steps
Reflect on your own experiences and biases to gain a deeper understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Show steps
-
Dedicate time each week to journal about your experiences.
-
Reflect on your interactions with people from diverse backgrounds.
-
Identify any biases or assumptions you might hold.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Develop an Inclusive Communication Guide
Show steps
Apply your knowledge to create a practical guide for promoting inclusive communication in your workplace or community.
Show steps
-
Research best practices for inclusive communication.
-
Identify common communication barriers.
-
Develop strategies for overcoming these barriers.
-
Create a user-friendly guide with practical tips.
Volunteer at an LGBTQIA+ Community Center
Show steps
Gain firsthand experience with the challenges and needs of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Show steps
-
Research local LGBTQIA+ community centers.
-
Contact the center and inquire about volunteer opportunities.
-
Commit to a regular volunteer schedule.
Read 'Disability Visibility'
Show steps
Understand the lived experiences of people with disabilities to promote inclusivity and accessibility.
View
Year of the Tiger
on Amazon
Show steps
-
Read 'Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories from the Twenty-First Century'.
-
Reflect on the perspectives shared in the book.
-
Consider how to create more inclusive environments for people with disabilities.
Design an Accessibility Audit Checklist
Show steps
Apply your knowledge of ADA compliance to create a practical tool for assessing accessibility in physical or digital spaces.
Show steps
-
Research ADA guidelines and accessibility standards.
-
Identify key areas to assess for accessibility.
-
Develop a checklist with clear and concise criteria.
-
Test the checklist in a real-world setting.
Review Key Concepts in Social Justice
Show steps
Refresh your understanding of core social justice concepts to build a strong foundation for the course.
Browse courses on
Social Justice
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Review definitions of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Research the historical context of social justice movements.
- Identify key figures and events in social justice history.
Read 'Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People'
Show steps
Explore the science of implicit bias to better understand its impact on decision-making and interpersonal interactions.
View
Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People
on Amazon
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Read the book 'Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People'.
- Reflect on personal biases and how they might manifest.
- Discuss the book's concepts with peers or colleagues.
Create a Personal Reflection Journal
Show steps
Reflect on your own experiences and biases to gain a deeper understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Dedicate time each week to journal about your experiences.
- Reflect on your interactions with people from diverse backgrounds.
- Identify any biases or assumptions you might hold.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Develop an Inclusive Communication Guide
Show steps
Apply your knowledge to create a practical guide for promoting inclusive communication in your workplace or community.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Research best practices for inclusive communication.
- Identify common communication barriers.
- Develop strategies for overcoming these barriers.
- Create a user-friendly guide with practical tips.
Volunteer at an LGBTQIA+ Community Center
Show steps
Gain firsthand experience with the challenges and needs of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Research local LGBTQIA+ community centers.
- Contact the center and inquire about volunteer opportunities.
- Commit to a regular volunteer schedule.
Read 'Disability Visibility'
Show steps
Understand the lived experiences of people with disabilities to promote inclusivity and accessibility.
View
Year of the Tiger
on Amazon
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Read 'Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories from the Twenty-First Century'.
- Reflect on the perspectives shared in the book.
- Consider how to create more inclusive environments for people with disabilities.
Design an Accessibility Audit Checklist
Show steps
Apply your knowledge of ADA compliance to create a practical tool for assessing accessibility in physical or digital spaces.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Research ADA guidelines and accessibility standards.
- Identify key areas to assess for accessibility.
- Develop a checklist with clear and concise criteria.
- Test the checklist in a real-world setting.
Career center
Learners who complete Foundational Approaches to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion will develop knowledge and skills
that may be useful to these careers:
Diversity and Inclusion Specialist
Diversity and Inclusion Specialist
A Diversity and Inclusion Specialist champions equitable practices within organizations, often developing and implementing strategies to foster inclusive work environments. This course helps a specialist understand implicit bias, microaggressions, and the complexities of intersectional identities, all essential for effective program design and delivery. The focus on identifying and addressing identity-based needs as taught in the course is crucial in creating meaningful and impactful change initiatives and will help a specialist better respond to the needs of diverse employees. Those pursuing a career as a Diversity and Inclusion Specialist will understand how community engagement can inspire innovation and benefit from the course's lessons.
Social Justice Advocate
Social Justice Advocate
A Social Justice Advocate works to promote fairness and equality within society. This course will help a Social Justice Advocate learn about the complexities of diversity, equity, and inclusion. The course's examination of intersectional identities, implicit bias, and microaggressions is essential for effective advocacy work. An Advocate would use this course to understand the barriers that different groups face and craft effective strategies. The course’s lessons on promoting inclusivity will allow them to better engage the community.
Nonprofit Program Manager
Nonprofit Program Manager
A Nonprofit Program Manager oversees the planning, implementation, and evaluation of programs and initiatives, often working with diverse communities. This course can help a Program Manager to enhance their understanding of inclusion and equity, which are crucial to their work. Through the course, a Program Manager can learn to create and support inclusive environments through an understanding of implicit bias and microaggressions. The course may help a Nonprofit Program Manager respond to the identity based needs of those they serve. The course’s teachings on community engagement will be especially useful.
Training and Development Specialist
Training and Development Specialist
A Training and Development Specialist designs and delivers training programs to enhance employee skills and knowledge. This course may be useful in helping a specialist create diversity and inclusion training materials. By examining implicit bias, microaggressions, and identity-based needs, a Training and Development Specialist would be well-equipped to create impactful and sensitive programs. The course's teachings on navigating communication blocks and cultural barriers is valuable for designing effective and engaging training sessions. Training and Development Specialists will find the course valuable as they seek to create training conducive to diverse groups.
Organizational Development Consultant
Organizational Development Consultant
An Organizational Development Consultant helps companies improve their effectiveness and culture. This course may be useful for a consultant seeking to support inclusive organizational practices. The course’s attention to understanding implicit bias, microaggressions, and intersectional identities is key to creating healthier work environments. An Organizational Development Consultant can use this course to provide targeted recommendations based on concepts of diversity. Moreover, a specialist will find the material on community engagement useful to create innovative solutions.
Patient Advocate
Patient Advocate
A Patient Advocate supports and guides patients through their healthcare experiences. This course helps a Patient Advocate be sensitive to diverse patient needs. The course's attention to implicit bias, microaggressions, and intersectional identities is particularly relevant. A Patient Advocate can use the teachings on communication blocks and cultural barriers to foster more effective patient interactions, especially when addressing the needs of LGBTQIA+ individuals. The principles of ADA compliance discussed in the course are also directly applicable.
Human Resources Generalist
Human Resources Generalist
A Human Resources Generalist is responsible for various aspects of employee management, including recruitment, onboarding, and employee relations. This course may be helpful in understanding and addressing issues of diversity and inclusion within a broader HR context. The course's emphasis on communication blocks, responding to identity-based needs, and navigating cultural barriers for LGBTQIA+ communities is beneficial to those interested in a career in human resources. The course may also be beneficial as HR professionals are crucial in creating supportive and inclusive work environments. Understanding the social responsibility of ADA compliance as discussed in the course is also very relevant.
Social Worker
Social Worker
A Social Worker provides support and advocacy for individuals and communities and often works with diverse groups facing various challenges. This course may help a Social Worker develop a deeper understanding of the issues these populations face. The course's discussion on navigating communication blocks, understanding intersectional identities, and identifying the needs of various groups is particularly valuable. For example, they would use the course to better understand the challenges that LGBTQIA+ individuals, and people with disabilities face. Furthermore, a Social Worker will benefit from an enhanced focus on community engagement to help those they serve.
Education Administrator
Education Administrator
An Education Administrator supports the operation of educational institutions and is involved in creating a positive learning environment. This course will be useful for administrators interested in fostering an inclusive educational culture. The course's discussion of implicit bias and microaggressions helps an administrator create a fairer system. A focus on identifying and responding to the needs of diverse students, including LGBTQIA+ communities, is important to this role. An Education Administrator will find value in this course because it provides a framework for inclusive approaches to education.
Counselor
Counselor
A Counselor provides mental health support and guidance to individuals or groups. This course may improve a Counselor's ability to work with clients from diverse backgrounds. The course's attention to implicit bias, microaggressions, and cultural barriers enhances a Counselor's ability to create a safe and inclusive environment for individuals. Understanding intersectional identities and the specific needs of the LGBTQIA+ community further equips a Counselor to provide culturally competent care. The course may help a Counselor to engage with clients in a manner that promotes well-being.
Journalist
Journalist
A Journalist researches, writes, and reports on current events for various media outlets. This course will help a journalist to better understand the importance of accurate and inclusive reporting. By having a deeper understanding of implicit bias and microaggressions, a Journalist would avoid using harmful language. A journalist will find important the course's discussion of intersectional identities and the challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ communities, as this information improves the quality of reporting and the impact of their stories. A Journalist can use the course material to tell a comprehensive and inclusive story.
Recruiter
Recruiter
A Recruiter identifies, attracts, and selects qualified candidates for open positions. This course may be helpful for a Recruiter to understand the importance of inclusive hiring practices. Using concepts explored in the course, a Recruiter can recognize the impact of implicit bias when evaluating candidates and better respond to the needs of candidates with diverse identities. This course explores barriers faced by LGBTQIA communities, which is essential for ensuring fair and equitable recruitment practices. Understanding of intersectional identities as discussed in this course is also useful for recruiters who wish to create fair processes.
Mediator
Mediator
A Mediator facilitates communication and resolves conflicts between parties. This course may improve a Mediator's ability to navigate disputes that arise from diverse backgrounds. The course addresses the nature of implicit bias and microaggressions, which can be a source of conflict by misunderstanding. Understanding identity-based needs also helps the Mediator approach conversations with empathy. A Mediator will benefit from this course as they seek to promote fair and equitable resolutions.
Public Relations Specialist
Public Relations Specialist
A Public Relations Specialist manages the public image of an organization. This course may help a specialist understand how to communicate with diverse audiences and avoid missteps. The coursework on recognizing implicit bias and microaggressions can help Public Relations Specialists craft inclusive and respectful communications. Moreover, the course introduces intersectional dynamics, ensuring that messaging is sensitive to the various cultural contexts that impact their audience. A Public Relations Specialist will find the course useful in creating communication strategies that resonate with the communities it serves.
Community Organizer
Community Organizer
A Community Organizer brings people together to address shared concerns and promote social change. This course may be useful in helping a Community Organizer understand the dynamics of diverse groups. By studying implicit bias and microaggressions, a Community Organizer would be better equipped to build trust and create inclusive spaces for community members. The course's discussion of intersectional identities, LGBTQIA+ issues, and the importance of community engagement is especially relevant to this role. This course informs how a Community Organizer facilitates dialogue and fosters collaboration.
For more career information including salaries, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/v6iibm/foundational
Reading list
We've selected two 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
Foundational Approaches to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Save
Explores the science of implicit bias, revealing how unconscious biases shape our perceptions and actions. It is highly relevant to understanding the course's focus on implicit bias and microaggressions. Reading this book will provide a deeper understanding of the psychological mechanisms underlying bias. It is commonly used as a reference in academic settings.
Save
This anthology provides firsthand accounts of the disability experience, offering valuable insights into the social responsibility of ADA compliance and the diverse needs of individuals with disabilities. It expands on the course's coverage of the ADA by providing personal narratives. is more valuable as additional reading to deepen understanding.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/v6iibm/foundational
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Effort
1 to 2 hours per week for 6 weeks
Level
Introductory
Via
edX
Institution
University of California, Riverside
Instructors
Megan Hansen-Rush
Briana A. Savage
Johan Yapo
Language
English
Transcript
English
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