This course description is from Summer 2019 and should only be used as a reference.
COURSE
NUMBER: EWMBA 292N-2
This
course is dual listed with the EMBA Program and taught in an EMBA Block
Schedule
COURSE
TITLE: Equitable & Inclusive
Leadership
UNITS
OF CREDIT: 2 Units
INSTRUCTOR: Jennifer R. Cohen, Ph.D.
E-MAIL
ADDRESS: jrcohen1@berkeley.edu
PREREQUISITE(S): None
MEETING
DAY(S)/TIME: TBD
CLASS
FORMAT: The pedagogy in the course
includes a blended approach that combines lectures, discussions, case studies,
guest speakers, and the development of strategies for increasing DEI. We will
identify key equitable and inclusive leadership competencies and provide
opportunities to practice them. We will use readings and cases along with class
discussion to facilitate knowledge transfers, and develop practical insights
into creating inclusive workplaces.
REQUIRED
READINGS: A single comprehensive DEI
textbook does not yet exist, to this end, students will select one book from
the following reading list and present their reflections to the class:
-
Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting
Together in the Cafeteria?: And Other Conversations About Race, by
Beverly Daniel Tatum
-
The Minority Experience: Navigating
Emotional and Organizational Realities, by Adrian Pei
-
White Fragility: Why It's So Hard
for White People to Talk About Racism, by Robin DiAngelo
-
Thinking, Fast and Slow, by
Daniel Kahneman
-
Pedagogy of the Oppressed: 50th
Anniversary Edition by Paulo Freire
-
Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People, by Mahzarin R. Banaji
-
Inclusion Dividend: Why Investing in
Diversity & Inclusion Pays off, by Mark Kaplan
-
Equality: Courageous Conversations
About Women, Men, and Race to Spark a Diversity and Inclusion
Breakthrough, by Trudy Bourgeois
-
White Awake: An Honest Look at What
It Means to Be White, by Daniel Hill
-
Inclusion: Diversity, The New
Workplace & The Will To Change, by Jennifer Brown
-
The Myth of Equality: Uncovering the
Roots of Injustice and Privilege, by Ken Wytsma
-
The Fifth Discipline: The Art &
Practice of The Learning Organization, by Peter M. Senge
-
Multipliers, Revised and Updated:
How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter, by Liz Wiseman
-
Feminist Pedagogy in Higher
Education: Critical Theory and Practice, by Tracy Penny Light
-
Servant Leadership: A Journey into
the Nature of Legitimate Power and Greatness 25th Anniversary Edition,
by Robert K. Greenleaf and Larry C. Spears
-
The Myth of the Model Minority: Asian
Americans Facing Racism, Second Edition, by Rosalind S. Chou (Author),
Joe R. Feagin (Contributor)
BASIS
FOR FINAL GRADE: Grades will be determined by total
performance and engagement through in-class participation, thoughtful written
analysis & reflection assignments, final DEI
strategy and group presentations. It will be informed by your ability to
understand and analyze the various topics and perspectives presented in the
readings and during class, and to communicate this in your writing and team
projects.
ABSTRACT
OF COURSE CONTENT AND OBJECTIVES:
Equitable and inclusive leadership competency is essential to being a
successful leader in the 21st century. The goal of this course is to
familiarize students with the data-driven benefits of diversity, equity and
inclusion (DEI), and to provide students with language, concepts, insights, and
tools to use best practices in order to harness the competitive advantage
embedded within diverse teams. This two-unit course will empower students to
become more effective leaders by strengthening their skills, knowledge and
ability to increase DEI within their industry. The pedagogy in the course
includes a blended approach that combines lectures, discussions, case studies,
guest speakers, and the development of a strategy for increasing DEI at Haas
School of Business or the student’s current company. We will identify key
equitable and inclusive leadership competencies and provide opportunities to
practice them. We will use readings and cases along with class discussion to
facilitate knowledge transfers, and develop practical insights into creating
inclusive workplaces where everyone feels welcomed, respected, and supported to
achieve their full potential. Throughout this course, cases and our discussions
will hold as their focal point the experience of professionals who are often
confronted with significant challenges related to their intersectional
identity, a fragile sense of belonging within their organization, bias, and how
inequitable and non-inclusive environments influence a set of complex career
decisions. By the end of this course, students can expect to have comprehensive
understanding of DEI best practices, self-awareness of their own agency in
leading cultural shifts and areas for improvement, and tangible tools with
tactics to help create equitable and inclusive environments. This course can be
valuable for students who work in industries where the demographics of the
country are not reflected within their organization’s leadership team or
workforce. This course can be valuable for students who aspire to work in
diverse, equitable and inclusive environments.
BIOGRAPHICAL
SKETCH: A research scientist turned
diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) professional, I am passionate about
increasing DEI within higher education and have devoted my career to creating
inclusive communities for traditionally underrepresented students and
professionals to feel welcomed, respected, and supported to achieve their full
potential. I have a unique academic background that includes training at a
community college, historically black university, and a research I institution.
My professional experience includes expanding DEI initiatives across a range of
non-profit, academic institutions, federal and museum environments. My teaching
philosophy is to collaboratively set learning outcomes, and is exemplified
through the student-informed creation of this new Equity & Inclusion
Leadership course. I see my role not as the "sage on the stage," but
as a facilitator in the transfer of knowledge on best practices and actionable
steps that we can make towards increasing equity and inclusion in higher
education and in business. My goal is to empower student agency for positively
impacting diversity, equity and inclusion in their industry.