Course Syllabus
Welcome to LER 136: Race, Gender, and Employment
Overview
| CATEGORY | INFORMATION |
|---|---|
| Credits | 3 |
| Prerequisites | None |
| Delivery | Web (Canvas, https://psu.instructure.com) |
| Dates | See the Calendar. |
| Instructor | See the Orientation module under the Modules tab. |
Description
In 1964, the U.S. implemented Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, which made it illegal to practice employment discrimination against someone because of his or her race, sex, religion, or national origin. This was a landmark accomplishment in a time of social upheaval and the quest for civil rights. But did you know that today white women and African American men make approximately 75 percent of white men's earnings? African American women and Latino men and women earn an even smaller percentage of white men's earnings. Despite all of society's efforts and more than 30 years under civil rights legislation, gender and racial inequalities in the work place persist. Why do they persist? What can or should be done about them?
The problems of employment inequalities today are complex, and as you might have guessed, there is no one, simple solution. Therefore, this course will focus on providing you a comprehensive understanding of the "how" and "why" of employment inequalities in order to better assess potential solutions. The content of this course touches on theories of employment stratification, empirical studies of inequality, labor legislation, worker organizations, and current events to begin to develop a picture of work inequality, as it exists today and where it may be going in the future.
This online course is designed to be a challenging introduction to many of the various topics within the field of inequality and employment. Students will have the opportunity to learn through several different means including individual assignments, group activities, online discussion collaborative learning, and group project via online debates.
Objectives
At the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Analyze the relationship between privileges, disadvantages, and inequality.
- Describe trends and key moments in work history affecting the work of women and minorities.
- Apply the job evaluation process.
- Analyze the job evaluation process and its effect on gender bias in employment.
- Develop and defend a position for or against affirmative action (among other topics).
- Investigate a corporation's globalization policies and compare relevant data from multiple sources, including the corporation itself and worker's rights organizations.
Organization
This course is made up of FIFTEEN lessons.
For a typical lesson, you will complete the following activities and assignments:
- Explore online course content.
- Read a few assigned readings.
- Participate in a discussion.
In addition, you will select and submit five essays. And you will participate in several group activities and a multi-step group project, the Debate Project.
Online Learning and Attendance
This course has been developed to promote asynchronous learning. The instructor and students do NOT meet on a designated day and time each week. For each lesson, there is a timeframe to complete all activities and assignments, and you may work at your own pace within that timeframe. However, you must adhere to the due dates outlined on the Calendar. (Due dates can also be viewed under the Syllabus tab.) You should log into the course daily to check for updates, review lessons, and participate in activities.
Materials
Texts and Other Materials
The following texts are required:
- Dubeck, P. J., & Dunn, D. (Eds.). (2006). Workplace/women's place (3rd ed.). Roxbury Press. [ISBN: 978-0195335262]
- Anderson, Margaret L. & Hill Collins, Patricia. (2013). Race, Class & Gender: An Anthology Wadsworth, Cengage Learning. [ISBN: 978-1-111-83094-6]
For this course students are required to read "Women of Color in U.S. Society." Maxine Baca Zinn & Bonnie Thornton Dill (1994) Temple University Press [EISBN: 9781439901540]. This text is available online and can be accessed by clicking here: http://pensu.eblib.com/patron/FullRecord.aspx?p=432872
Course Reserves (e-Reserves)
There are electronic resources on reserve for this course that can be accessed through the Penn State Libraries. To access your e-Reserves, please select Library Resources in the course menu.
For any questions you may have about searching, viewing, or printing your e-Reserves, refer to the Viewing/Printing Electronic Reserves page (Links to an external site.) at https://www.libraries.psu.edu/psul/reserves/usingreserves.html.
Library Services
Penn State Libraries provides a wide variety of services and resources. To learn how to take advantage, refer to the Online Student Library Guide (Links to an external site.) at http://guides.libraries.psu.edu/onlinestudentlibraryguide. This guide serves as your starting point for access to all that Penn State Libraries can offer you as an online student. Use this guide if you have questions on library services offered to you, how the library can help you, how to use the library, or what resources you can access via the library! The guide will connect you to important pages and resources within Penn State Libraries and save time from you searching for the information you need.
Grading
Final letter grades will be assigned based on the scale below.
Scale
| LETTER GRADE |
MINIMUM PERCENT |
MINIMUM POINTS |
|---|---|---|
| A | 93 | 465 |
| A- | 90 | 450 |
| B+ | 87 | 435 |
| B | 83 | 415 |
| B- | 80 | 400 |
| C+ | 77 | 385 |
| C | 70 | 350 |
| D | 60 | 300 |
| F | 0 | 0 |
Due Dates
All assignments are due by the time and date indicated on the Calendar. (Due dates can be also be viewed under the Syllabus tab.) As a general rule, you will NOT be able to go back and make up missed assignments. It is your responsibility to keep up with your assignments. Students with an excused absence (hospitalization, jury duty, or family emergency) may be asked to produce proper documentation in order to make up graded work. All make-up work is at the discretion of the instructor.
Note on Late Assignments: Consideration for acceptance of late assignments will only be entertained IN ADVANCE of the deadline. Send a request via Course Mail. Late assignments will lose the point equivalent of TEN PERCENT per calendar day, and they will not be accepted later than TWO calendar days after the deadline. Assignments are always accepted earlier than the deadline.
Please be aware that Canvas follows the Eastern Time (ET) time zone. Assignment due dates adhere to this time zone, and it is your responsibility to submit assignments accordingly. If you are outside of the ET time zone, you can set your Canvas account to sync to it. Refer to the Set a Time Zone article in the Canvas Guide (Links to an external site.) at https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-2891.
Assignments
Basic information about each assignment group is provided below. For detailed directions about an individual assignment, see the assignment information under the Modules tab.
- You can expect meaningful feedback on assignments within TEN days of their due date.
- Research and Wikipedia: The School of Labor and Employment Relations does not view Wikipedia as a valid source for information cited in academic work. It can be a useful tool for quickly finding general information on subjects or as a starting point for research. However, you should not cite Wikipedia as a source in assignments.
| ASSIGNMENT GROUP | POINTS |
|---|---|
| Discussions | 120 |
| Essays | 180 |
| Group Activities | 75 |
| Debate Project | 125 |
| Total | 500 |
Discussions
Value: 10 x 12 PTS, 120 PTS total
There are ELEVEN discussions, but only TEN discussions will be factored into your grade. Your lowest discussion score will be dropped.
Each week you need to make a coherent, thoughtful post in response to the discussion question(s). In addition, reply to at least two classmates' posts.
The Discussion Rubric provides detailed information on grading.
Note on Class Atmosphere: The class atmosphere should be one in which the expression of diverse viewpoints is welcomed. The topics we will be discussing may be considered controversial, and it is unlikely that all students will hold the same viewpoints. Nevertheless, all students are expected to be respectful and empathetic while interacting with classmates.
Essays
Value: 5 x 36 PTS, 180 PTS total
There are TEN essays, but only FIVE essays will be factored into your grade. Throughout the semester, select and submit FIVE essays (no more, no less).
Essays should be submitted to Canvas in the following format: MS Word document; Times New Roman, 12 pt font; double-spaced. (If you don't own MS Word, submit a PDF or RTF file.)
The Essay Rubric provides detailed information on grading.
Group Activities
Value: 5 x 15 PTS, 75 PTS total
Near the end of the drop/add period, you will be assigned to a group. For the group activities, your group will be asked to complete a task. Consider logically dividing work among group members and assuming responsibilities based on personal expertise.
The Group Activity Rubric provides detailed information on grading.
Debate Project
Value: 125 PTS
Your group will complete a multi-step group project, the Debate Project. Throughout the semester, there will be checkpoints for this project. The project involves a lot of work, so it is important that you keep up and manage your time effectively. Please review the instructions for the project now by visiting the Debate Project module.
Notes on Group Work
Near the end of the drop/add period, you will be assigned to a group, and you are required to work on group activities and the Debate Project with your group.
The groups for the Debate Project are the SAME as the groups for the Group Activities.
- Communication: To facilitate communication within the group, you should share your phone number, IM name, or e-mail address with other members. In addition, share your schedule and decide when to submit assignments, when to talk or chat, etc. Keep in mind that some members may live in a different time zone and work full-time or part-time. And don't assume that other members have access to computers at all times. They may need to go to the library to complete an assignment.
- Reporter Role: For many group assignments, one group member must assume the role of reporter. The reporter will make a post about the outcome of the assignment. Designate the day and time that other members will provide information to the reporter. If you experience a problem and cannot provide the information to the reporter on time (or if you are the reporter and you cannot submit the assignment on time), it is your responsibility to let your group know.
- Unhelpful Group Members: All group members are expected to fully contribute to group assignments. If you fail to work productively and respectfully with your group, you will be fired from the group. You will receive one warning from the instructor before you are fired. If you are fired, you ALONE will be responsible for ALL work. In addition, you will automatically lose 20 points from your final grade.
The Debate Project Rubric provides detailed information on grading.
Final Exam
None
University Policies
Academic Integrity
According to Penn State policy G-9: Academic Integrity, an academic integrity violation is “an intentional, unintentional, or attempted violation of course or assessment policies to gain an academic advantage or to advantage or disadvantage another student academically.” Unless your instructor tells you otherwise, you must complete all course work entirely on your own, using only sources that have been permitted by your instructor, and you may not assist other students with papers, quizzes, exams, or other assessments. If your instructor allows you to use ideas, images, or word phrases created by another person (e.g., from Course Hero or Chegg) or by generative technology, such as ChatGPT, you must identify their source. You may not submit false or fabricated information, use the same academic work for credit in multiple courses, or share instructional content. Students with questions about academic integrity should ask their instructor before submitting work.
Students facing allegations of academic misconduct may not drop/withdraw from the affected course unless they are cleared of wrongdoing (see G-9: Academic Integrity). Attempted drops will be prevented or reversed, and students will be expected to complete course work and meet course deadlines. Students who are found responsible for academic integrity violations face academic sanctions, which can be severe, and put themselves at jeopardy for other outcomes (see G-9: Academic Integrity).
Unless your instructor tells you otherwise:
- Always include an in-text citation that includes the author(s) last name(s) and the year the source was published at the end of any sentence or below any image that includes words, images, or ideas you found in a source, always included quoted text within quotation marks, and always include a reference for any source at the end of your paper (ask your instructor about the format you should use).
- All of your graded coursework must be created by you without help from anyone in the course or otherwise. If you have questions about this, you should ask your instructor before submitting work for evaluation.
- All course materials you receive or access are protected by copyright laws. You may use course materials and make copies for your own use, but unauthorized distribution and/or uploading of materials without the instructor’s express permission is strictly prohibited. Students who engage in the unauthorized distribution of copyrighted materials may be held in violation of the University’s Code of Conduct and/or liable under Federal and State laws.
Disability Access
Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the University's educational programs. Every Penn State campus has an office for students with disabilities. The Student Disability Resources website provides contact information for every Penn State campus (Links to an external site.) at http://equity.psu.edu/student-disability-resources/disability-coordinator. For further information, please visit the Student Disability Resources website (Links to an external site.) at http://equity.psu.edu/student-disability-resources.
In order to receive consideration for reasonable accommodations, you must contact the appropriate disability services office at the campus where you are officially enrolled, participate in an intake interview, and provide documentation (Links to an external site.) described at http://equity.psu.edu/student-disability-resources/applying-for-services. If the documentation supports your request for reasonable accommodations, your campus’s disability services office will provide you with an accommodation letter. Please share this letter with your instructors and discuss the accommodations with them as early in your courses as possible. You must follow this process for every semester that you request accommodations.
Nondiscrimination
Penn State is committed to equal access to programs, facilities, admission and employment for all persons. It is the policy of the University to maintain an environment free of harassment and free of discrimination against any person because of age, race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, creed, service in the uniformed services (as defined in state and federal law), veteran status, sex, sexual orientation, marital or family status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, physical or mental disability, gender, perceived gender, gender identity, genetic information or political ideas. Discriminatory conduct and harassment, as well as sexual misconduct and relationship violence, violates the dignity of individuals, impedes the realization of the University's educational mission, and will not be tolerated. For further information, please visit the Affirmative Action Office Website at http://www.psu.edu/dept/aaoffice/.
Reporting a Bias Incident
Penn State takes great pride to foster a diverse and inclusive environment for students, faculty, and staff. Acts of intolerance, discrimination, or harassment due to age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, gender identity, national origin, race, religious belief, sexual orientation, or veteran status are not tolerated and can be reported through Educational Equity via the Report Bias webpage at http://equity.psu.edu/reportbias/.
Counseling and Psychological Services
Penn State's Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) office offers residential and distance-based Penn State students non-emergency mental health services in the form of case management, community resource referrals, supportive listening, care giver support, and much more.
Students may request assistance from CAPS regarding a variety of common mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, and stress. CAPS services are designed to enhance students' ability to fully benefit from the University environment and academic experience. Call CAPS at 814-863-0395 (8 am-5 pm, Monday-Friday EST) or submit an inquiry online at http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/counseling/contact_form.shtml to schedule an appointment with a mental health advocate, who can help you address mental health concerns that may interfere with your academic progress or social development. This appointment will include a one-on-one session that can be conducted via telephone, teleconference (Skype, FaceTime, etc.), or locally at Penn State University Park. For more information on services provided through CAPS, please visit the Penn State CAPS website at http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/counseling/. Students enrolled at the World Campus are also encouraged to visit its Mental Health Services page at http://student.worldcampus.psu.edu/student-services/mental-health-services.
Reminder: These services are for non-emergencies only. If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis situation, please call your local crisis center or 911.
TEACH Act
The materials on the course website are only for the use of students enrolled in this course for purposes associated with this course and may not be retained or further disseminated.
University Emergency Procedure
In the event of a University-wide emergency, the course may be subject to changes. Exigent circumstances may require alternative delivery methods, class materials, and interactions with the instructor and/or classmates. In addition, there may be revisions to grading policies and the Calendar, including assignments and their due dates.
In the event of a University-wide emergency, please refer to the Canvas website at https://psu.instructure.com for specific information related to the course. For more general information about the emergency situation, please refer to the Penn State website at http://www.psu.edu or Penn State News at http://news.psu.edu.
To register with PSUAlert, a service designed to alert the Penn State community when situations arise that affect the ability of a campus to function normally, please go to https://psualert.psu.edu/. Subscribers can receive alerts by text message to cell phones, and also can elect to have alerts sent to an email address.
Counseling and Psychological Services
Penn State's Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) office offers residential and distance-based Penn State students non-emergency mental health services in the form of case management, community resource referrals, supportive listening, care giver support, and much more.
Students may request assistance from CAPS regarding a variety of common mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, and stress. CAPS services are designed to enhance students' ability to fully benefit from the University environment and academic experience. Call CAPS at 814-863-0395 (8 am-5 pm, Monday-Friday EST) or submit an inquiry online (Links to an external site.) at http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/counseling/contact_form.shtml to schedule an appointment with a mental health advocate, who can help you address mental health concerns that may interfere with your academic progress or social development. This appointment will include a one-on-one session that can be conducted via telephone, teleconference (Skype, FaceTime, etc.), or locally at Penn State University Park. For more information on services provided through CAPS, please visit the Penn State CAPS website (Links to an external site.) at http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/counseling/.
Reminder: These services are for non-emergencies only. If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis situation, please call your local crisis center or 911.
Syllabus Subject to Change
The class will likely adhere to the information outlined in this Syllabus and the Calendar, but adjustments may be made based on what actually transpires during the semester. Remaining in the course after reading this Syllabus will signal that you accept the possibility of changes and responsibility for being aware of them.
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|