TAMU Diversity and Cultural Competence Journal Paper

Students’ learning will be assessed through three written journal entries requiring them to critically assess the cultural and social aspects of the workplace, focusing on different theories of workplace dynamics.  Students will analyze and discuss privilege relationships and their impact on different socioeconomic and cultural groups in the workplace and analyze the challenges and benefits of diversity and multiculturalism in the workplace.  Students will also reflect upon their personal views and biases related to diversity and multiculturalism in the workplace and outline a personal plan for increasing personal awareness of diversity and cultural competence.

Journal #1 must contain three parts. 

• Part 1. Research and summarize a diversity-related topic or event, which can be from an external source or your own experience. It does not have to be business related. You may write about diversity in other contexts such as sports, television, film, commercials, pop culture, politics, your every-day experience, religion, etc. One source is needed for each entry. Your source can be your own personal experience or something you found in a newspaper article, Web site article, magazine article, Web video, blog entry, scene from a film, episode from a television show, commercial, and so forth). Summarize your chosen diversity-related topic/event. Cite the source unless this is your own personal experience 
• Part 2. The second part is a brief analysis of the topic/event and how it relates to the course materials/concepts from weeks 1-4. Make sure to discuss specific course materials and concepts found in Weeks 1-4.
• Part 3. The third part should be your personal reflection on the topic from your own cultural and diverse history and your thoughts about the importance of cultural competency in the workplace. Make sure to focus on your results of the Implicit Associations Test and on exploring potential societal and personal preconceptions and biases about people from different backgrounds