Lang adds Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in the Workplace Course to the Core Curriculum
Members from across the Lang School have been hard at work over the last year to discuss the future of the undergraduate curriculum at Lang. This process involved consultation with students and faculty, as well as input on what employers are looking for in recent business graduates. Most notably Lang will be among the first Canadian business schools to add a Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) course into its core curriculum beginning this fall. At Lang, core courses are required to be taken by all business students, regardless of their area of study. In this course, students will actively engage in learning practices to understand contemporary and future equity-related opportunities and challenges, such as how to embed JEDI in organizational strategies and practices, fostering intercultural competence among employees and developing inclusive leadership practices. This change reflects our goals within our Strategic Plan and, most importantly, our mission to foster business as a force for good.
“Organizations are increasingly highlighting the importance of equity, diversity, and inclusion. It is essential that our curriculum is adaptable and innovative to reflect both the current and future workplace. The inclusion of this course in Lang’s undergraduate curriculum is the start of honouring our commitments and starting to take actions that contribute towards the creation of a more equitable future," said Jackie Hamilton, Director, Accreditation, Curriculum Development, and Learning Innovation.
Along with the addition of the JEDI course, several other changes will be implemented this fall. The curriculum will also include a core course in Business Communications, helping students develop important skills and supporting their successful transition to the workplace. Other courses such as Information Management will be re-designed to reflect changes in digital transformation and data analytics, and our Corporate Social Responsibility course will now be called Principles of Responsible Organizations, which better reflects the evolving sustainability space. All these changes were supported by data through Lang’s Assurance of Learning (AoL) processes through our AACSB Accreditation.
“Our new business curriculum reflects our commitment to preparing future business leaders who not only excel in traditional measures of success but also prioritize sustainability, equity, diversity, and inclusion as integral components of their professional skillset. By embedding these concepts into our curriculum, we're ensuring that our graduates are equipped to drive positive social change and support inclusive business practices as a force for good,” said Dr. Sara Mann, Dean, Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics.
Lang’s new undergraduate curriculum reflects our leadership on sustainability, aligning with contemporary needs and the evolving opportunities of global markets. These changes are part of our learner-centred approach and commitment to exceptional student experiences, allowing students to engage with new approaches and experiential learning to address societal challenges.
Thank you to the members of the committee for their hard work and dedication to our students. The committee included representation from faculty and staff across Lang, who served as important consultants back to their respective units. Co-chairs Jackie Hamilton and John Walsh and members Evie Adomait, Tanya Barzotti, Hugh Clark, Nina Eryavec, Amy Faria, Getu Hailu, Mark Holmes, Mary-Anne Moroz, Thomas Sasso, and Connie Zavitz.