W1: Introductions and Gender-Based Discrimination

C

PART A: First, carefully read the course announcement entitled “Copyright Notice”. Then, in the first line of your discussion post for this week, type the following statement: “I have read and understand the course copyright notice and consequences for violation thereof.” 

PART B: Since this is our first discussion, please take a moment to introduce yourself. Feel free to share whatever you please…suggestions include city/state of residence, work, hobbies, academic goals, etc. 

PART C: This week’s lesson articulated the difference between disparate treatment and disparate impact discrimination, and reviewed some of the fundamental protections of Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Consider and comment on the following questions:

1. Do you think that a distinction should be drawn between religion and the other classes protected by the 1964 CRA, on grounds of mutability? The argument can be made that one can change an attribute such as gender with complex medical surgery, but even then such changes are not typically recognized by law. Religion, on the other hand, is the only class that at least on principle could be changed at the option of the individual. What do you think the logical underpinnings of the law are insofar as “choice” is concerned? If some choices are protected, should not all choices be protected?

2. Would you opine that Obama’s Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and all of the anti-discrimination legislation that preceded it is doing enough to combat gender-based pay discrimination? What would you suggest be changed or added to improve things, keeping in mind such factors as confidentiality of pay rates in the private sector and competition in the workplace?

Discussion Guidelines

What is the purpose of a discussion?

Think of the discussion as a classroom experience where you “meet” with your instructor and peers to discuss the weekly topic in terms of the readings, assignments and resources that have been assigned.  The desired outcome is that you are able to (1) collaborate with peers and the instructor, (2) demonstrate your understanding of the material, and (3) participate as a member of an online community.

What are the responsibilities of the instructor?

The instructor’s goal is to create an engaging and safe environment for students to learn.  In addition, instructors should pose questions promoting deeper thought as well as encourage students to interact with their peers in the classroom.  There should be an active instructor presence throughout the week.

What are the responsibilities of the student?

Each week, you are required to make an initial posting and respond to a minimum of 2 other students.  Responses to other students should be substantive and include direct questions.  Please review the discussion grading rubric in order to understand how your responses in the discussion will be graded. 

If you met the above-mentioned requirements, you will be graded at the proficient level.  However, if your desire is to be graded at the exemplary level, please provide more than what is required.  To receive 100% as a grade (the exemplary level) for the weekly discussions, you should ensure that your responses meet the following criteria:

Critical Analysis – Discussion postings display an excellent understanding of the required readings and underlying concepts including correct use of terminology. Postings are made in time for others to read and respond as well as deliver information that is full of thought, insight, and analysis. The information presented makes connection to previous or current content, or to real-life situations, and must contain rich and fully developed new ideas, connections, or applications. (It is important that you integrate the weekly readings in your response. One way to do that is to make position statements, then discuss supporting evidence (i.e. research and/or personal experience)

Participation as a Member of the Learning Community – Discussion postings actively stimulate and sustain further discussion by building on peers’ responses including building a focused argument around a specific issue, asking a new related question, or taking an opposing position supported by personal experience or related research. (Please plan your time wisely. Your responses should encourage your peers to respond to your postings and build the foundation for the class to review and discuss your initial posting. It’s important that you meet the Thursday deadline for your initial posting so that others have ample time to respond. Having all of your work in before Sunday afternoon allows your peers to provide comments to your feedback and strengthens your ability to participate as a member of the weekly learning community discussions.)

Professional Communication and Etiquette – Written interactions in the discussion show respect and sensitivity to peers’ background and beliefs. Regardless of the position you are taking, please ensure that your participation comments are respectful to your peers’ background and beliefs (remember that you can still disagree respectfully). 

Writing Skills – Written responses are free of grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors. The style of writing facilitates communication. (Make sure your work is free of errors. If there are any errors as outlined above, you will not receive 100% for the discussion).

Instructions:  Your initial post should be at least 250 words.  Please respond to at least 2 other students.  Responses should be a minimum of 100 words and include direct questions.  This discussion submission serves as your official entry into the course.  This Introduction Discussion must be submitted the first week of the course, by 11:59 p.m., ET, on Sunday to maintain your registration in the course.  Students who do not post to this discussion by 11:59 p.m., ET, Sunday will be automatically dropped from the course.

Initial Post Due:  Sunday, by 11:59 p.m., ET
Responses Due:  Sunday, by 11:59 p.m., ET

Note that this Week 1 Discussion uses a different rubric and evaluation guidelines than the rest of the weekly discussion rubrics.