Organizational Leadership in Diversity Equity & Inclusion Specialization Course Syllabus

Overview (80-120 words) describing structure and time commitment.

Module 1: Defining Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Organizations

Estimated time: 6 hours

• Understand core definitions of diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Explore reasons why DE&I efforts can fail
• Identify common pitfalls in DE&I implementation
• Assess your organization’s position on the DE&I continuum

Module 2: Key Concepts in Organizational DE&I

Estimated time: 5 hours

• Examine foundational principles: equal opportunity, bias, power, and privilege
• Analyze the impact of bias and stereotypes in organizational settings
• Develop cultural competence to address systemic issues
• Understand how systemic discrimination influences decision-making

Module 3: Best Practices in Planning DE&I Interventions

Estimated time: 5 hours

• Develop step-by-step approaches to planning diversity initiatives
• Implement intentional and legally compliant DE&I recruitment processes
• Explore strategies for employee retention in diverse environments
• Design effective DE&I training programs aligned with organizational goals

Module 4: Assessing Cultural Climate

Estimated time: 6 hours

• Learn assessment practices for evaluating DE&I initiatives
• Create bias-free and inclusive evaluation tools
• Apply ethnography to understand organizational culture
• Use strategic foresight to address systemic discrimination and social justice concerns

Module 5: Strategic Planning and Implementation

Estimated time: 6 hours

• Align DE&I strategies with organizational mission and values
• Develop action plans for sustainable change
• Engage leadership and stakeholders in DE&I efforts
• Monitor progress and adapt strategies based on feedback

Module 6: Final Project

Estimated time: 8 hours

• Conduct a comprehensive assessment of a real or fictional organization’s DE&I climate
• Design a tailored DE&I strategic plan with implementation roadmap
• Present findings and recommendations using culturally competent communication

Prerequisites

• Familiarity with basic organizational structures and functions
• Foundational understanding of DE&I concepts
• Experience in or exposure to leadership or HR roles preferred

What You'll Be Able to Do After

• Define and differentiate core DE&I concepts within organizational contexts
• Develop and execute strategic DE&I initiatives aligned with business goals
• Assess organizational culture and climate using valid and inclusive methods
• Apply intercultural competence to manage diverse teams effectively
• Design and evaluate DE&I programs that address systemic discrimination