2025 (Current Year) Faculty Courses Liberal arts and basic science courses Humanities and social science courses

Special Lecture: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)

Academic unit or major: Humanities and social science courses
Instructor(s): Sanae Akaba
Class Format: Lecture
Media-enhanced courses: -
Day of week/Period (Classrooms)
Class: -
Course Code: LAH.S117
Number of credits: 100
Course offered: 2025
Offered quarter: 3Q
Syllabus updated: Mar 19, 2025
Language: Japanese

Syllabus

Course overview and goals

In this course, students will be asked to recognize their own unconscious biases, gain a deep understanding of the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and learn how these concepts impact individuals, communities, and organizations. Through dialogue with people from different social and cultural backgrounds, students will embrace diverse perspectives and deepen their empathy. Additionally, the course will not only provide theoretical knowledge about DEI, but also encourage students to explore how to apply these concepts in real-world situations.

Course description and aims

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

(1) Recognize unconscious/implicit bias
(2) Understand key DEI concepts
(3) Develop a foundational knowledge of diversity, equity, and inclusion in society and organizations.
(3) Recognize and understand systemic inequalities
(4) Encouraging empathy and cultural awareness
(5) Applying DEI in practice

Student learning outcomes

実務経験と講義内容との関連 (又は実践的教育内容)

The instructor has experience in developing materials, facilitating workshops, and providing coaching on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in New York City, USA.

Keywords

Diversity, equity, and inclusion

Competencies

Specialist skills
Intercultural skills
Communication skills
Critical thinking skills
Practical and/or problem-solving skills

Class flow

Each week, the course will proceed in a lecture and group discussion format. Students are required to submit a reaction paper after each session.

Course schedule/Objectives

	Course schedule	Objectives
Class 1	Orientation Recognize unconscious bias Understand diversity, equity, and inclusion	Submit reaction paper
Class 2	What is systemic discrimination?	Submit reaction paper
Class 3	Initiatives in Japan	Submit reaction paper
Class 4	Initiatives in the world	Submit reaction paper
Class 5	Gender, sexual orientation and gender identification （Guest lecturer: TBD)	Submit reaction paper
Class 6	Ability　(Guest lecturer: TBD)	Submit reaction paper
Class 7	Review	Work on final paper

Study advice (preparation and review)

To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.

Textbook(s)

None

Reference books, course materials, etc.

Handouts as needed

Evaluation methods and criteria

Reaction paper, class participation : 50%
Final report: 50%

Related courses

LAH.C101 ： Visionary Project
LAH.S313 ： Special Lecture: American studies
LAH.S448 ： Essence of Humanities and Social Sciences57:Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)

Prerequisites