As a group, you need to decide on an important diversity topic that is of interest to all your members.  "Diversity" is often thought of in terms of ethnic differences, yet the concept of diversity can go beyond racial or ethnic heritage to describe almost any situation in which shared meaning is not communicated because of disparate experiences and socialization.  For example, challenges of diversity can be experienced because of differences of gender, age, affectional orientation, social/economic class, and so on.

To complete this project, you will need to follow the steps below (as a minimum):

(1)  Timeline.  Create a timeline/contract for completing the project upon which all members agree.  The contract must be signed by all members and a copy turned into me.

(2) Topic selection.  Your first task as a group is to select an area of cultural diversity to study.  Only one group per topic (so you should have alternate choices, just in case you don't get your first choice).  Because I want you to take the time to make a thoughtful choice, you may not submit your topic choice(s) for my approval before September 20.  The deadline for submitting your choices is Tuesday, September 27, in class.  You should submit, in writing, your group's potential topic(s), along with a brief rationale for your choice(s).  You must obtain formal approval from me on your topic before you can continue.

(3) Preliminary bibliography and outline of literature review.  Following approval of your topic, you are to identify and read a minimum of five (5) articles in academic journals or chapters in scholarly books reporting on research relevant to your topic.  You may certainly use other resources for supplementary information, but your project must be grounded in theory.

(4) Training manual and presentation proposal.  Before you can complete your project, you must submit a brief explanation of your module contents and planned presentation.  You should include (a) a preliminary table of contents for the manual, (b) a description of the needed equipment for your presentation, such as TV/VCRs, overheads, or cassette tape players, and (c) a description or actual copy of materials that will be used in your presentation, such as handouts, videotapes or audiotapes.  This paper must be typed.

This part of the project is VERY important, to ensure that it is adequately developed to proceed.  The last day to submit (by e-mail) a description of your proposal is Tuesday, November 8 (you CAN turn it in before these dates in order to allow yourself more time to complete the project). The proposal must be submitted in order to continue working on the project.  Failure to submit this paper will constitute a grade of zero (0) and "F" on the entire assignment.

(5)  In-class training presentation.  An important aspect of this project is to put your ideas into practice.  You will be allotted 20 minutes of in-class time where you will train the class utilizing part of your larger program.  Select the best materials you have created from the larger manual for use in the in-class training.  You will be graded on the professional quality of your materials and training session.

(6) Manual.  Your final written project will consist of a training manual that will include, at minimum, all of the following elements:

• Table of contents
• Introduction–Discuss the importance of developing and/or improving skills in your area and the goals of the training unit
• Literature review–Synthesis of relevant literature on which you base your training program [this section is equivalent to a literature review in a journal article]
• Training procedures and materials–This section should include your written justification and explication of your training program [i.e., specific exercises and the goals they are designed to fulfill] and ALL materials required for a one or two hour training session
• Quiz–Construct a multiple choice quiz that assesses the main points of and rationale for your training session
• Assessment materials–Create a brief survey, or other procedure, to assess audience response to your training program.

Your own original analysis and thinking should be evident in the manual; however, you are expected to address comments and follow suggestions made in feedback on previous submissions. You must also be very clear in identifying what material is original with you and what is taken from other sources.  Give complete citations of all material taken from other sources.

The manual will be evaluated based on the following criteria: adequate identification of the values and importance of this topic and particular investigation, ability to synthesize and summarize relevant literature, reasonableness and creativity of training materials, professionalism of written presentation.  The paper should demonstrate good command of organization and writing style, as well as general ability to articulate your ideas and conclusions.

The manual should be typed and as long as required to adequately cover all areas.  Sections such as the introduction and literature review should be double-spaced, and conform to APA style.  Quizzes and other training material need not be double spaced, but should instead be formatted with respect to presentational demands. The manual is due on Tuesday, November 15, in class.  You must submit TWO copies of the manual.

The manual must have the following declaration included on the final page of the manual:

 We affirm that we have adhered to the college's expectations for integrity in the completion of this assignment.

 ______________________________________________________________
 Signatures                                                                                         Date
 
 

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Updated 9/10/05