Module manager: Meenakshi Sarkar
Email: M.Sarkar@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
This module is approved as an Elective
The module explores issues around the growing significance of the management of diversity in an organisational context together with the rise in social exclusions in society and its impact on HRM . Taking a decolonial approach we look at the business case for HRM diversity policies and practices in organisations through a critical lens based on research evidence for various protected characteristics like gender, race, religion, disability, age and sexuality. The module also provides strong theoretical foundations on why diversity is 'easy to say, difficult to do' with practical examples from the world of work and social issues.
The module examines the management of diversity in an organisational context, drawing on research evidence from a number of cultures and countries. It aims to provide students with a global context for the development of organisational diversity strategies so that different areas of Human Resource Management (HRM) diversity practice can be examined through a critical lens.
Upon completion of this module students will be able to:
- Present and critically evaluate the case for diversity management policies and practice - business, moral and legal cases
- Apply knowledge of decolonisation and its impact on workplace practices
- Critically appraise employment practice in the global context and codes of practice on equality and diversity issues with a focus on race, religion, gender, age, disability, and LGBTQ+ issues.
- Explore the structure agency debate with a special focus on the 'power of individual and collective agency in making a difference in the workplace.
Upon completion of this module students will be able to:
Transferable
- Apply effective cognitive skills of critical thinking, analysis and synthesis
- Write coherently and concisely
- Plan and organise work within time constraints
Indicative content
- Exploration of why managing diversity has become such a significant subject in employment relations and HRM
- The case for diversity
- Theoretical perspectives on issues like equality/equity/ inclusion and social exclusions related to diversity management- Unconscious bias, social hierarchy and intersectionality theories
- Examine protected characteristics in the UK like gender, race, disability, religion, age and sexuality within the diversity discourse
- Examination of different areas of HRM practice through a diversity lens; for example recruitment, promotion, training, development and mentoring, pay, flexible working and work-life balance
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Workshop | 10 | 1.5 | 15 |
| Tutorial | 10 | 1 | 10 |
| Private study hours | 275 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 25 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 300 | ||
This could include a variety of activities, such as reading, watching videos, question practice and exam preparation.
Your teaching methods could include a variety of delivery models, such as face-to-face teaching, live webinars, discussion boards and other interactive activities. There will be opportunities for formative feedback throughout the module.
Students to submit a formative piece of work on posters/group presentation by week 5 for them to get feedback on for first assessment.
Option to submit a reflective piece of work in week 10 for their final assessment after their 1st assessment is done.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Multimodal Assessment | Students can select to do a 15 minute group presentation or an Individual Poster Presentation (5 minutes) | 30 |
| Essay | 3,000 words | 70 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
The resit for this module will be 100% by 4,000 word coursework.
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 30/04/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team