Syllabus

Title
1146 Selected Diversity Dimensions and Intersectionality
Instructors
Dr. Andrea Elizabeth Romo Perez
Type
PI
Weekly hours
2
Language of instruction
Englisch
Registration
09/01/25 to 09/17/25
Registration via LPIS
Notes to the course
Dates
Day Date Time Room
Wednesday 10/01/25 02:00 PM - 06:00 PM TC.5.12
Wednesday 10/15/25 02:00 PM - 06:00 PM TC.5.12
Wednesday 10/29/25 02:00 PM - 06:00 PM TC.3.07
Wednesday 11/12/25 02:00 PM - 06:00 PM TC.3.09
Wednesday 11/19/25 02:00 PM - 06:00 PM D5.1.003
Wednesday 12/03/25 02:00 PM - 06:00 PM D2.0.038
Contents

The course concentrates on two interrelated objectives. On the one hand, it comprehensively examines individual and structural complexities of discrimination, and unequal access to power and privilege in organizations, based on different identities or diversity dimensions. To do so, the course explores and examines practices, processes, actions, and meanings that result in and maintain inequalities in organizations and that are linked to inequality in societies, their politics, history, and culture.

The second purpose of this course is to use intersectionality as an analytical tool to reflect upon how people simultaneously face discrimination or privilege along multiple identity/diversity dimensions such as gender, class, dis/ability, age, race/ethnicity, religion, and sexual orientation. The course addresses theoretical discussions and positions on intersectionality and each diversity dimension, accompanied by exercises, critical readings, practical examples, discussions with experts on different diversity dimensions, and the discussion of empirical quantitative and qualitative work.

As a highlight of the course, students will collaboratively create podcast episodes. In this innovative project, students conduct an interview and apply intersectional analysis to explore the interviewee’s lived experience or case. This hands-on assignment not only deepens understanding of course concepts, but also develops students’ skills in critical inquiry and digital media production—making learning both engaging and creative.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course students will be able to reflect theoretically on their dimension-specific knowledge and apply it to different practical contexts. In addition, they will have the ability to discuss critically and analyze social and organizational scenarios and experiences through individual dimensions as well as doing so from an intersectional perspective.

Through their involvement with the course content, students develop a deeper ability to analyze case studies and social issues with an intersectional approach and to critically reflect on the importance of such an approach to understand the complexities of individuals’ life circumstances giving importance to the broader social context where organizations are located.

Attendance requirements

Mandatory attendance

Simple attendance is a basic requirement for continuous assessment courses (prüfungsimmanenten Lehrveranstaltungen (PI-LV)).

Should there be an important reason for absence, then a maximum of 20% of the entire course duration can be missed. In case of more than 20% absence, the course must be repeated. For absenteeism, confirmation (for example a medical certificate) must be submitted.
Important reasons are, according to the examination regulations of the WU, any that are beyond the disposition of the student (illness, accident, death of a close relative). Vocational obligations are not considered an important reason in the sense of the examination regulations, since these are at the disposition of the students.

Teaching/learning method(s)
  • Lectures on diversity dimensions
  • Reading and analyzing scientific literature
  • Discussions and in-class group work
  • Podcasting
  • Presentation
  • Analyzing newspaper articles and film/video excerpts
  • Individual and group reflections
  • Learning from, and discussion with, experts
Assessment
  • Reflection on literature and reflection assignment (3 assignments) 30 points 
  • In-class group work activities and individual participation 20 points
  • Podcast group presentation (last session) 50 points

Grading scheme: very good: 90-100 points, good: 81-89 points, satisfactory: 72-80 points, sufficient: 60- 71 points, fail: 0-59 points.

Prerequisites for participation and waiting lists

To be eligible for this course, WU SBWL students must have successfully completed the Basic Course (Grundkurs), Strategic Diversity Management (Strategisches Diversitätsmanagement), and Diversity in Teams (Diversität in Teams).

 

International students are not required to have completed these prerequisite courses in order to register.

Readings

Please log in with your WU account to use all functionalities of read!t. For off-campus access to our licensed electronic resources, remember to activate your VPN connection connection. In case you encounter any technical problems or have questions regarding read!t, please feel free to contact the library at readinglists@wu.ac.at.

Availability of lecturer(s)

Request appointment via email to: andrea.elizabeth.romo.perez@wu.ac.at

Unit details
Unit Date Contents
1 01.10.25

General introduction: Understanding intersectionality, group formation, and task division; presentation and discussion of the social class dimension. Definition and exploration of theoretical knowledge and concepts; analysis of cases, scenarios, and data.

2 15.10.25

Introduction to Podcast Episode Creation (technical tour and details). First guest speaker session.

3 29.10.25

Presentation and discussion of gender and sexual orientation dimensions. Definition and discussion of theoretical knowledge and concepts, along with analysis of cases, scenarios, and/or statistical data.

4 12.11.25

Presentation and discussion of age and disability dimensions. Definition and discussion of theoretical knowledge, concepts, cases/scenarios, and data. Second guest speaker session.

5 19.11.25

Presentation and discussion of ethnicity, religion and belief dimensions. Definition and discussion of theoretical knowledge, concepts, and cases/scenarios.

6 03.12.25

Group presentations and completion of the course

Last edited: 2025-06-11



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