MSA 661 Diversity and Multiculturalism in the Workplace
All MSA Students are required to take three courses: (1) MSA 600, MSA 634 or MSA 635, and MSA 640. Other core courses must be selected in consultation with the student's academic advisor. A total of 15-21 hours must be taken in the administrative core. All MSA students are also required to take either MSA 685 (3 hours) or MSA 690 (6 hours).
Course Objectives:
After completing this course, the student should:
Identify fundamental concepts, principles and theories relevant to understanding diversity and cultural differences and their impact on the world of work.
Demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to be an effective manager/worker in a culturally diverse workplace.
Recognize the limitations of a parochial perspective and develop a more global approach to administering organizations.
Identify how an administrator's attitudes, behaviors, and roles are influenced by cultural differences.
Identify causes for cross-cultural misperceptions and learn how to minimize them; learn concepts such as stereotyping, ethnocentrism, cultural blinders, parochialism, and cultural synergism.
Explain how two or more of the factors of race, ethnicity, nationality, class, gender, and/or religion interact to shape the individual and community.
Know the role of organizational policies, practices, design, and structure in facilitating diversity management and articulate change strategies.
Typical MSA 661 topics:
Diversity management
The global workforce
Multi-cultural communications
Leadership in global organizations
Cross-cultural effectiveness
Cultural synergy
Managing transitions and relocations
Cultural/Geographic region-specific studies
