Prospectus

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Culture and Diversity at Work

Course
2010-2011

Admission requirements

Recommended is an introduction to Social and Organisational Psychology.

Description

The aim of this course is to give students insight into the social psychological processes that play a role in the field of work and organizations with regard to culture and diversity. The world of people in organizations has changed dramatically in past years as more ethnic minorities are entering the labour force and as women are moving into traditionally male-dominated fields and into higher managerial positions. Organizations are also increasingly operating on a global scale, managing workforces consisting of many nationalities and in different countries. In the coming decades this diversity is expected to grow as these processes continue.

This course provides insight into classic and current theories and research regarding the impact of diversity on group processes, motivation and performance. It pays particular attention to the challenges that are presented by a diverse labour force in recruitment and selection, evaluation, leadership, and decision-making. It also addresses how stereotypes and prejudice can influence personnel decisions and career development; how group composition affects team work and how motivation is impacted by group processes.

Course objectives

By the end of the course students will be expected to understand the key concepts and theories presented in the course and their relationship to each other, and are expected to be able to apply these to issues relevant to culture and diversity at work.

Timetable

Culture and Diversity at Work (2010-2011):

Mode of instruction

The course will consist of a series of six lectures.

Assessment method

Students’ understanding and ability to apply the knowledge acquired in class will be tested in a 40-item multiple choice exam. The information presented in lectures will be part of the exam material.

From January 1, 2006 the Faculty of Social Sciences has instituted the Ephorus system to be used by instructors for the systematic detection of plagiarism in students’ written work. Please see the information concerning fraud .

Blackboard

Information on blackboard.leidenuniv.nl:

  • The syllabus for this course.

  • The class literature.

  • Sheets for each lecture (available just before each lecture commences).

  • A document with links and descriptions of websites where you can find more information and documents relevant to Culture and Diversity at Work.

  • A document with referrals to literature relevant to Culture and Diversity at Work.

Reading list

The literature for the course consists of current and classic literature regarding social psychological processes relevant to Culture and Diversity at Work. The assigned papers and chapters will be made available through Blackboard.

Registration

Enrolment for study activities of courses of the first semester will take place from 7 July till 30 August 2010. Introduction and enrolment for courses of the second semester will take place in January 2011. More information will be available at the website of the Institute of Psychology.

NB: Exam registration will take place via uSis, and will be open between a month and a week before the (re)exam. Students who haven’t registered, cannot participate in the exam.

Contact information

Dr. Colette van Laar
Room 2A28
Tel.: +31 (0)71 527 3923
E-mail: cvlaar@fsw.leidenuniv.nl