“OUT" IN THE WORKPLACE: AN EXPLORATION OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND EQUITY

INSTRUCTOR:  
                Alicia Lewis, Ph.D., email:  lewis_alicia@msn.com

DATES:
October 31            5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (Live)
November 1          6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m (Live)
November 6          6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (Online)
November 8          6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Online)
November 14       5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Live)

NOTE: On two of the dates the course will meet online

1 CREDIT: SOC 403

CATALOG LISTING: SOC 403 WS: Out in the Workplace: Exploration of Sexual Orientation and Equity

CRN: 30121

LOCATION: TBA

DESCRIPTION:

The purpose of this course is to provide participants with 15 hours of instruction in both theoretical and conceptual frameworks through exposure to gender and sexual orientation in the workplace. Through organizational development exercises, role play, facilitated live and on-line discussions, and reflection/analysis papers, participants will gain valuable insight and experience needed to understand the inherent complexities of gender and sexual orientation applied to the workplace environment.

This workshop will explore gender theory, grounded in a social constructivism paradigm, as a means of challenging heteronormative culture in the workplace. Participants will engage in multiple perspectives through interaction of their own personal attitudes, as well as learning effective and inclusive organizational communication and language to challenge both overt and subtle acts of homophobia in the workplace.

The wide range of discrimination and bias suffered by the GLBTQ population are fundamental in articulating the nature of prejudice and discrimination through the exploration of both personal and organizational values. Homophobic attitudes often represent an invisible barrier to complete acceptance and success of a healthy workplace environment. Diversity is a term closely tied to such terms as “tolerance”, which is a term that suggests “putting up with.”  No matter how successful employees are in the workplace, merely being labeled as “gay” or “lesbian” by heterosexist culture may defer those ‘classified’ as a sexual minority inferior and subject to discrimination in the form of dismissal, lack of promotion, impacts on attrition employment rates, and harassment. This workshop offers participants interested in diversity and equality, new perspectives aimed at challenging organizational heteronormativity.

REQUIREMENTS:

Full attendance during all sessions is required.  Two of the course sessions will be online, and students will be required to be online during the course meeting time. Further course and evaluation procedures and requirements will be discussed during the first day of workshop session activities.

Participants must attend all times and dates and/or be online through Web CT on respective dates listed.

 
© John Mihelich, Debbie Storrs