Introductory description

This module focuses on the challenges and opportunities of today’s increasingly globalised world, and on how to develop the practical and professional skills needed to live, work and study across borders. You will examine how globalisation and diversity are reshaping the future of our workplaces, educational and cultural institutions, and communities. You will analyse and critically engage with global trends and challenges, such as managing a diverse workforce, sustainability, corporate social responsibility, and ongoing debates around equality, diversity, and inclusion. A central component of the module is public engagement, which you will demonstrate by applying theories and debates about globalisation and diversity to real-life situations. This will involve producing a podcast addressing a concrete issue of globalisation or diversity in the local context of the university, Coventry, and beyond. This hands-on project will help you develop critical thinking, communication skills, and practical experience in addressing real-world challenges as you learn how to plan and produce a podcast.
Why it matters to you: Understand how globalisation and diversity are transforming how we live, work and study, develop skills for public engagement and tackling global issues, and prepare to be a leader in international professional contexts.

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

• Introducing theorisations of globalisation and diversity
• The dark side of globalisation and diversity
• Introducing Public Engagement to globalisation and diversity
• Issues of globalisation and diversity and potential for public engagement I: Illness and health
• Issues of globalisation and diversity and potential for public engagement II: Gender (in)equality at work
• Issues of globalisation and diversity and potential for public engagement III: Stereotyping, prejudice and racism in sports
• Global cultures
• Planning and carrying out Public Engagement

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Show an understanding of theories of globalisation and diversity
• Demonstrate their ability to critically engage with relevant theories of globalisation and diversity and apply them to concrete examples
• Critically evaluate different approaches, concepts and research findings and draw informed conclusions
• Apply theoretical concepts to case studies
• Identify concrete issues of globalisation and diversity in their environment
• Design a strategy to address these issues
• Be able to design and produce a podcast

Indicative reading list

Booysen, Lize A.E., Regine Bendl & Judith K. Pringle (eds) (2018). Introduction: expanding equality, diversity and inclusion research through diverse methodologies. In L.A.E. Booysen, R. Bendl & J.K. Pringle (eds), Handbook of research methods in diversity management, equality and inclusion at work. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar.
Bossetta, Michael & Leonard Williams. (2020). A Podcasting Primer. PS, Political Science & Politics, 53(2), 329-331. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1049096519001707.
Demjén, Zsófia (ed) (2022). Applying Linguistics in Illness and Healthcare Contexts. London: Bloomsbury.
Lewis, Chantelle, Tissot Regis & George Ofori-Addo. (2021). Sociological podcasting: radical hope, care and solidarity in a time of crisis. Soundings: A journal of politics and culture, 79, 94-109. https://muse.jhu.edu/pub/248/article/842152.
Mullany, Louise & Stephanie Schnurr (2023). Globalisation, Geopolitics, and Gender in Professional Communication. London: Routledge.
Schnurr, Stephanie & Kieran File (eds) (2023). The Language of Inclusion and Exclusion in Sports. Berlin: De Gruyter.

View reading list on Talis Aspire

Research element

The students have to research a real-life issue of globalisation or diversity and develop a project addressing one concrete element of this issue.

International

This module develops students' awareness for global issues around diversity and inclusion, and thus not only prepares them for the international workplace but also equips them with the skills and knowledge to tackle global challenges of the 21st century.

Subject specific skills

• Demonstrate in-depth understanding and knowledge of the various aspects of globalisation and cultural diversity introduced in the module.
• Understand issues of globalisation and diversity in professional contexts.
• Be familiar with different approaches to globalisation and diversity.
• Be able to plan and execute public engagement activities
• Be able to produce a podcast
• Be able to translate academic theories and findings into non-specialist language and communicate them to non-specialist audiences

Transferable skills

• Communicate clearly and contribute effectively to discussions
• Create public engagement by producing a podcast
• Translate academic findings and theories into non-specialist language
• Interview people from diverse workplaces, organisations and communities
• Work collaboratively in teams
• Read academic papers effectively and extract relevant information from complicated sources
• Communicate ideas effectively, using appropriate wording and structure
• Work independently
• Plan and manage time and workload to meet deadlines