Course Description
This course is designed to help you to learn more about what you know about diversity and also about others. You will be invited to examine what you previously have learned about diversity and how this learning has been translated into your values, beliefs and behaviors today. Throughout the session you will be encouraged to look “into the mirror.” You will be invited to reflect, explore and examine your ways of knowing and understanding diversity from a personal lens and an organizational lens. Through discussions, readings, videos and reflection this course will help to stimulate your thinking and spark new ideas and strategies for advancing diversity and inclusion.
In their efforts to improve performance and remain competitive, on a local, national and global scale, many organizations are convinced of the business and service case for diversity, equity and inclusion. Therefore, they recognize the urgency of now. Today, managers and employees face new and challenging diversity related issues when carrying out their day-to-day work responsibilities. Those dedicated to serving their clients are confronted with an increasingly diverse population including: social class; gender; gender identity; race; age; religion; sexual orientation; language; ethnicity, and so on. Increased diversity can often lead to situations that, if handled well, can foster great opportunities for organizations to flourish – and if handled inappropriately, can result in negative reactions and conflicts in the workplace. Adapting the necessary skills and knowledge on how to capitalize on this diversity is an important lesson for all. The greater our understanding and appreciation of difference, and the barriers that face some in the workplace, the more we will grow and become more responsive to an increasingly diverse population.
Course Outline
- Module 1: Internalizing Diversity and Inclusion: Ways of Knowing
- Module 2: How Does Diversity Show-Up? The Dynamics of Diversity within Workplace Cultures
- Module 3: Maximizing on the Benefits of Diversity: Strategies for Nurturing Inclusive Workplace Cultures
What You Will Learn
Upon completion of this course, learners will be able to:
- examine the dimensions of one’s identity, and how this shapes their views, values, perceptions and behaviours within organizations;
- create a space to tell stories, talk about “personal” diversity, roles, culture, concerns and visions for diversity and inclusion;
- clarify meaning of terminology related to diversity;
- connect the “personal” and “professional” dynamics of diversity; and
- identify practical strategies for advancing the envelope on diversity and inclusion.
Microcredential
This course provides learners with the opportunity to earn a microcredential. A microcredential is evidence of a skill or competency that is employment related. Dalhousie microcredentials are developed in collaboration with employers, industries, and/or organizations that relate to the content. A microcredential can be displayed on social media pages, digital resumes, personal webpages, and in email signatures. To earn the microcredential in this course, learners will need to successfully complete a competency-based assessment.
Notes
By enrolling in this course, you will be automatically enrolled in the Certificate in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. This certificate consists of four courses. You are not required to take the courses in order, but it is recommended that you take OLCD-IDEA0004 after completing the first three courses in the certificate (OLCD-IDEA0001, 0002, 0003).
For assistance or more information, please contact openlearning@dal.ca.
The Faculty of Open Learning and Career Development recommends an intermediate level of English language proficiency for the most effective learning and participation in our online and face-to-face courses. A list of minimum recommended scores on some common English tests can be found on our website. If you have questions about your English language proficiency and ability to succeed in this course, please contact openlearning@dal.ca.
Recommended For
- Anyone interested in learning how to advance the agenda on diversity and inclusion within their respective organization
Testimonials
"I would definitely recommend this course to others. This course sets the groundwork for embarking on a learning journey into EDI. The course helps you dive deep into some of your own biases and opens your eyes to how diversity and inclusion are incorporated into the workplace."
~ Vanessa DeClercq
Applies Towards the Following Certificates
- Certificate in Advanced Fire Service Administration : Electives
- Certificate in Building Positive Workplace Cultures : Electives
- Diploma in Executive Fire Leadership : Electives
- Diploma in General Fire Leadership : Elective - Certificate in Advanced Fire Service Administration, Elective - Certificate in Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility in the Fire Service
- Certificate in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion : Required courses
- Certificate in Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in the Fire Service : Required
- Certificate in Police Supervisory Skills : Electives
- Certificate in Public Sector Leadership : Required
Jude was born in Sheet Harbour, NS and is a member of the Millbrook First Nation. He has worked for several federal departments including the RCMP, Correctional Services Canada, and Veteran’s Affairs. He has also worked for many departments within the Nova Scotia public service, including Education and Early Childhood Education, (where he helped established Treaty Education in Nova Scotia) Communities Culture and Heritage, the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency, and currently is the Senior Engagement Advisor for the Office of Equity and Anti-Racism Initiatives. Jude has worked at a number of Post Secondary Institutions in Nova Scotia and served on the National Indigenous Education Advisory Committee for Colleges and Institutions Canada. Jude has been a speaker at national and international conferences on systemic oppression and racial identity. He was the first Canadian to be trained as a facilitator in Beyond Diversity2, Courageous Conversations about Race, and received an Award of Recognition from the Pacific Educational Group for his work in reducing the achievement gap for First Nation and African Canadian students. Most recently he received his Certified Diversity Executive designation from the Institute for Diversity Certification in Indianapolis, Indiana and was the first Mi’kmaq employee to be awarded the NS Premier’s Award of Excellence.