| Date |
Topics/Assignments |
Note in Case Study Written Assignments:
Please answer each question briefly but completely. In most cases you can answer questions sufficiently in a few sentences (sometimes one sentence is sufficient). |
| June 18 |
a. Written Assignment B1.
b. Reading. Creating the Multicultural Organization, Chapter 1. |
| June 20 |
a. Reading. Managerial Excellence Through Diversity, pp. 12-88.
b. Written Assignment B2. 15 points.
"Ways of Thinking About and Across Differences."
Assignment Questions.
1. Can you think of examples of the reasoning pitfalls (described in the essay) that you have heard, read, or thought in response to managerial issues of diversity?
2. Using the model for reframing diversity described in this essay, can you generate alternative analyses of these same managerial issues?
(1) Mary Ann Glendon and Rights Talk
Have you observed the types of thinking about RIGHTS that Glendon describes in diversity discussions? Can you give some examples?
(2) Self-Definition Through Oppositionality
What would it mean to define oneself more complexly, in ways other than in opposition to others?
(3) Cultural Generalizations: Dichotomy or Continuum
Have you seen examples of useful and/or ineffective applications of cultural or group generalizations?
(4) Shelby Steele and "Seeing for Innocence"
Do you agree with Steele's analysis that both African-Americans and Caucasian Americans can be tempted to claim the status of "victim" with regard to the other? Why or why not?
(5) Cornel West and "Racial Reasoning"
-- Can you understand and explain the tendency toward "closing ranks" and demands of "racial authenticity" that West describes?
-- Can you see similar tendencies within other identity groups? Is this tendency unique to non-dominant groups?
(6) Chris Argyris and "Defensive Reasoning"
-- Do you recognize the phenomenon Argyris describes?
-- How is it anti-learning?
-- How does it limit our ability to learn about and from differences?
(7) Thomas Gilovich and How We Know What Isn't So
How do the reasoning errors that Gilovich describes affect thinking about differences, in our own experience or in that of others we have observed?
(8) Pareto Optimality/Scarcity Thinking
-- Are there instances where my privileges may be a direct result of someone else's exclusion -- through no merit of mine or fault of theirs?
--How does one address that situation?
-- Are there times when individuals behave as if the total resources available are limited and unchangeable when that is not necessarily so? Give examples. Why would this be so?
(9) Masking and Overdetermined Terminology
Can you think of other terms (besides "merit") that have taken on an assumed clarity that masks many assumptions and differences of opinion?
-- "diversity"?
-- "minority"?
c. Reading. White Privilege, Part One.
d. Reading. Creating the Multicultural Organization, Chapter 2.
e. Individual Topic Presentation - Yer Xiong.
|
| June 25 |
a. Written Assignment B3. 15 Points.
Managerial Excellence Through Diversity, Read 91-102.
Case Study. "Anne Livingston and Power Max Systems," pp. 103-118
Assignment Questions.
(Part A) Should Livingston accept the job with Power Max Systems, if offered? Under what conditions?
(Part B) How well has Livingston managed her initial entry into the firm?
(Part C) How should Livingston respond to Dixon and to the software team's doubts?
(Part D) Should Livingston hire Leung?
(Part E) What should Livingston do now?
(Overall) In what ways is Livingston different from/similar to the majority of her co-workers? Have these differences/similarities affected her entry experience into the firm? If so, how?
b. Reading. White Privilege, Part Two.
c. Reading. Creating the Multicultural Organization, Chapter 3.
d. Individual Topic Presentations - Tammy Sack, Rosalie Branstetter
|
| June 27 |
a. Written Assignment B4. 15 Points.
Managerial Excellence Through Diversity, pp. 166-183.
Case Study. "Managing Conflict in a Diverse Workplace."
Assignment Questions.
(1) Antoinette Mayer. Should Strong have "known better?" Should Mayer have "understood?" Is anyone at fault? Does that matter?
(2) Nikki Bliss. How should Bliss interpret and resond to Law's behavior?
(3) Moses Wu. Is Wu a viable candidate for management in this environment?
(4) Julia "Mack" MacKenzie. What is MacKenzie worried about? What might be the "unforseen consequences" she is beginning to see?
(5) Cassandra Barton. Does a "diverse" team result in better product? Why or why not? Under what conditions?
(6) Everett Evans. Should Evans care ot take action if the African American managers are unconcerned? Why or why not?
b. Reading (all). White Privilege, Part Three.
c. (Moved to July 9) Reading. Creating the Multicultural Organization, Chapter 4.
d. Individual Topic Presentation - Marc Scott
e. Written Outline of Group Project. |
| July 2 |
a. Reading. White Privilege, Part Four.
b. Individual Topic Presentation - Scott Gentry
c. Exam Unit B |
| Unit C |
|