MANAGING DIVERSITY COURSE ADDED TO ROBERT MORRIS UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF BUSINESS CURRICULUM

Prepared for
Robert Morris University Curriculum Committee
Moon Township, Pennsylvania

Prepared by
Amanda Martin - Manager
Zachary Sams - Assistant Manager
Daniel Palmer - Senior Researcher
Imani Bowen - Document Specialist
Jennifer Hoffman - Multimedia Specialist

April 3, 2014

LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL

Business Diversity Research Group
March 23, 2014
Professor Mann-Theys
CEO of COSK2230
Robert Morris University
Moon Township, PA 15108
Dear Robert Morris University Council Members:
The attached report, requested by Professor Mann-Theys in a letter to Robert Morris University dated March 23, describes the proposed addition of a business diversity class to the Robert
Morris curriculum. We believe you will find the results of this report to be very beneficial in considering the addition of this new class to your already highly successful curriculum outline.
This report was designed to examine the key importance of 5 key types of diversity in the workplace including:
● Cultural
● Gender
● Disability
● Religious
● Age
The primary research put forth in this project consisted of interviewing key officials in the
Robert Morris business school, in addition to Surveys showing the amount of knowledge an average student/ person has about diversity in the workplace. Secondary research efforts consisted of researching each topic in great detail to come up with a course plan. This was done with the help of articles, books, internet sources and periodicals. Results of this research indicate a strong need to teach current and future students about the importance of diversity in the workplace to ensure their success in their careers.
We would be pleased to discuss this report and its conclusions with you at your request. My group and I thank you for your consideration into implementing our class into your School Of
Business curriculum.
Sincerely,

Daniel Palmer
Senior Researcher

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY…………………………………….…………………………………v
INTRODUCTION………………………………………………...………………………………1
Background………………………………………………...………………….………..…1
Problems………………………………………………...……………………….………..1
Significance………………………………………………...……………………………...1
Scope………………………………………………...……………………………..……...2
Organization……………………………………...………………………………………..3
Analysis of the Survey……………………………………...……………………………..4
FINDINGS: Managing Diversity Course…………………………………………………………6
Cultural Diversity in the Workplace………………………………………………………6
Gender Diversity in the Workplace…………………………………………………….....7
Disabilities in the Workplace……………………………………………………………...8
Religious Diversity in the Workplace……………………………………………………10
Age Diversity in the Workplace…………………………………………………………11
CONCLUSION…………………………………………………………………………………..12
RECOMMENDATIONS………………………………………………………………………...12
APPENDIX………………………………………………………………………………………14
Survey…………………………………………………………………………………....14
Course Syllabus…………………………………………………………………….……17
REFERENCES………………………………………………………………………………..…22

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LIST OF FIGURES
Figure
1 Pittsburgh Diversity Census……………………………………………………………………..2
2 Diversity in the United States…………………………………………………………………...3
3 What Types of Discrimination Have You Seen…………………………………………………4
4 Does RMU Teach Enough About Diversity?…………………………………………………...4
5 Do you Believe a Diversity Course Will Be Beneficial?.…………………………………….....5
6 I Would Like to Take a Course About Diversity………………………………………………..5
7 I Believe a Course About Diversity Will Be Beneficial………………………………………...6

iv

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Robert Morris University School of Business students will benefit tremendously with the addition of the business diversity class to the Robert Morris Curriculum. Students will benefit educationally and individually due to the addition of the course, as shown by this in depth study conducted by the business diversity research group. The study was authorized by CEO of
COSK2230 professor Mann-Theys. Professor Mann-Theys requested evidence demonstrating