Course Syllabus

PV Syllabus

V443 - Managing Workforce Diversity - SECTION 10320

Instructor: Samanta Fonseca

Class Meetings: Monday and Wednesday, 5:30 - 6:45 pm in Room PV272

Office Hours: By appointment (either Zoom or in person)

Course Delivery Method: In-person

Additional readings or links to articles will be posted on Canvas.

1. Course Description

Welcome to Managing Workforce Diversity! This course is designed to help you develop the skills and awareness needed to work effectively with people from different backgrounds and experiences.

The composition and nature of the workforce is changing. Managers must decide how to accommodate real differences among the members of their organizations. This course seeks to provide information for practitioners who hope to integrate an understanding of workforce diversity into their management style and professional behavior.

Together, we explore dimensions of social difference, the challenges that can arise when managing them, and how to leverage diversity to support organizational goals. This is a discussion-based experience: we reflect together, share examples, and learn from one another. Your insights, experiences, and questions are a vital part of this journey.

2. Learning objectives/outcomes 

Course Components	% of Grade
Pre-Class Assignments (Packback)	15% 150 points
In-Class Assignments and Participation	15% 150 points
Post-Class Assignments	7.5% - 75 points
Exams (4)	50% - 500 points (125 each)
Inclusion Group Project	10% -100 points
Self-Assessment and Peer Performance Review	2.5% - 25 points

2.1 Pre-Class Assignments: Each week, you are expected to complete assigned readings and pre-class activities to arrive prepared for class discussions and in-class assignments. Most pre-class assignments will be completed through Packback. The specific format and requirements may vary by week depending on the topic, and detailed instructions will be provided on Canvas and Packback.

By the end of the semester, your two lowest percentage scores in this category will be dropped, whether due to a missed submission, late submission, or low score. These two assignments will not count toward your final grade.

Packback

Packback Questions is an online community where you can be fearlessly curious and ask open-ended questions to build on top of what we are covering in class and relate topics to real-world applications. For a brief introduction to Packback Questions and why we are using it in class, watch this video.

Packback helps students become curious, critical thinkers with strong writing skills. Students who have used Packback said they became a more confident writer after using it. Packback has also been shown to help students earn better grades on their assignments and in the course.

We will be using the Packback platform in this course for discussion and writing assignments. Your participation on Packback will count toward  15% of your overall course grade.

There will be weekly assignments due on Mondays and Wednesdays before class.

In order to receive full credit, you should submit the following:

• By 12:00 p.m. (noon): Submit your reflection (analytic memo or
  response to the assigned prompt) and include one discussion question
  in bold. Your Packback Curiosity Score must be at least 70.
• By 5:30 p.m.: Post one meaningful response to a classmate's question or
  post. Your Packback Curiosity Score must be at least 50.
  Late submissions: 1 point will be deducted for late submissions.
  2.2

In-Class Assignments and Participation: Build on pre-class materials through interactive discussions, pair-and-share activities, team projects, polling, case applications, quizzes, short essays, whiteboard activities, and other learning exercises.

Students are expected to come prepared, engage with the content, and contribute actively to discussions and activities. Participation is evaluated based on preparation, engagement, and meaningful contribution to class activities and discussions. Regular attendance is expected, but participation grades are based on the quality of engagement rather than attendance alone.

The points will be divided between specific in-class activities and participation, including answering questions, asking questions, and representing the group.

There are no make-up opportunities for in-class activities. Exceptions may be considered in extenuating circumstances at the instructor’s discretion, in which case an alternative activity may be assigned.

Students earning Full participation credit:
○ Actively engage in in-class activities (e.g., discussions, pair-and-
share, polls, group work, whiteboards)
○ Contribute thoughtfully to whole class discussions throughout the
semester by speaking up regularly while also ensuring space for
all students to participate.
○ Demonstrate respectful listening and constructive engagement
with peers
○ Complete all required in-class activities
○ Participate on Tophat
○ Submit in-class activities during class

Students earning Partial participation credit:
○ Show limited preparation or engagement in some class sessions
○ Participate occasionally or primarily when prompted
○ Partially complete in-class activities

Limited Participation Credit or No Credit:
○ Rarely engage in discussions or activities
○ Frequently appear unprepared for class
○ Do not contribute meaningfully to peer or whole-class learning
○ Miss or do not complete in-class activities

2.3 Post-Class Assignments: Post-class assignments consist of short quizzes based on the textbook readings and topics discussed in class. The post-class quizzes will also include open-ended questions that will NOT be graded but will serve as study guides for the exams, as well as a list of topics students should review to prepare for each exam.

Late submissions: 1 point will be deducted for late submissions.

2.4 Exams: Exams are based on materials and theories presented in class, as well as assigned readings, PowerPoint slides, and lecture notes. Questions may include multiple-choice, true/false, short-answer, case analysis, and essay formats. Four exams will be given during the semester to assess understanding
of the concepts and their application in the workplace. They are NOT cumulative, but certain concepts must be learned to analyze cases in the exams and the group project effectively.

Make-up exams are allowed only for exceptional circumstances, such as medical emergencies, pre-approved religious observances, or pre-approved university activities. You must email me at least one week before the exam, or within one day after the exam for unforeseen circumstances beyond your control, explaining your absence. I will decide whether a make-up is warranted; if not, a grade of zero will be assigned.

Make-up exams, when approved, will consist entirely of open-ended questions (such as short-answer or essay). There will be no multiple-choice questions.

2.5 Inclusion Group Project: Students will be randomly assigned to groups, with each group assigned a social dimension. Groups will research the workplace experiences and challenges faced by social groups within their
assigned dimension and identify a real organization that has implemented an initiative to promote the inclusion of one or more of these groups. Students will examine why the organization took action, what it did, its impact on the organization and its employees, and key lessons.

Each group will submit a brief written summary, deliver a 7–10-minute presentation, propose one discussion question, and facilitate a class discussion. More detail on Canvas.

The Written Summary is due via Canvas by 11:59 p.m. EST on the date of your class presentation. If you would like feedback, you may submit your summary, along with a draft of your presentation slides, up to one week before your presentation for my review. Group presentation slides must be submitted via Canvas by 5:00 p.m. on the day of your presentation.

Late Written Summaries will receive a 10% deduction for each 24-hour period they are late and will not be accepted more than 48 hours after the deadline. Presentation slides submitted after 5:00 p.m. will receive a 10% deduction.

Groups will be posted on Canvas at the beginning of the semester. Students are responsible for checking their assigned group and presentation date. During the first two weeks of the semester, students who have a conflict with their presentation date may arrange to switch groups with a student from another
group. There will be no make-up opportunity for the presentation portion of the project.

2.6 Self-Assessment and Peer Performance Review: After the group presentation, you will complete a brief self-assessment of your contributions and a peer performance review of your teammates. Reviews will focus on preparation, communication, reliability, and collaboration. You are expected to respond honestly and fairly, as this process helps promote accountability and mutual respect within the group.

These evaluations promote accountability and help ensure fairness in grading. Feedback will remain confidential, be reviewed only by the instructors and TA, and will be factored into individual group project
grades.

3 Grading policy:

4 Important Dates:

Exams	Date
Exam 1	09/16
Exam 2	10/21
Exam 3	11/11
Exam 4	12/16 5:20 - 7:20 p.m.

Group Presentation

09/26 Group 1	10/14 Group 4	11/18 Group 7
09/30 Group 2	10/28 Group 5	12/02 Group 8
10/07 Group 3	11/04 Group 6	12/09 Group 9

Find the full syllabus on the Home Page for details on course components, policies, and the schedule.