2000302 - Principles of Belonging: Creating a Culture of Inclusion

Course Description

Every individual has a unique lens through which they perceive the world. That lens is affected by the experiences we have had, the barriers we faced, and the privileges we have received. Everyone in our society deserves to feel like they belong. No matter your lived experience, you belong in your community. All of us play a part in addressing oppression and racism and contributing to inclusive environments.

This module has two parts. In the first part of this module, you will be introduced to a set of fundamental anti-oppression principles that can guide us in creating more inclusive and respectful workplaces and communities. You will also be introduced to fundamental concepts in equity and diversity and gain the knowledge necessary to enhance the spaces in which you live, work, and play. In the second part of this module, you will explore how to engage in anti-racism. Anti-racism is an important part of ensuring that everyone feels like they belong.

This module serves as an entry point for discussions of inclusion and equity.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this module, you should be able to:

1. Identify a core set of anti-oppression principles that illustrate how people can work collaboratively and supportively to ensure that all members of the community feel a sincere and authentic sense of belonging;
2. Apply a core set of anti-oppression principles to illustrate how people can foster an inclusive culture for thriving workplaces, impactful learning, and wellbeing for all community members;
3. Explain key anti-racism principles, and apply key concepts related to anti-racism, including race, racism, privilege, and power;
4. Compare the concepts of diversity, equity, and inclusion and explain how these distinct concepts can be integrated to foster a sense of belonging;
5. Discuss barriers to full participation for equity-seeking groups and describe how applying principles of inclusion, allyship, and anti-racism can foster a sense of belonging for all.

Course Topics

• The fundamental concepts related to anti-oppression, including diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• The diversity landscape and challenges in Canadian organizations.
• How to use principles of belonging to create more inclusive spaces and interactions for all community members.
• The historical and contemporary contexts of racism in Canadian society.
• Systemic racism and its impact on living, learning, and working environments.
• The key concepts related to anti-racism, including race, racism, privilege, power, microaggressions, cultural appropriation, and allyship.
• How to incorporate anti-racist practices in our daily activities to build inclusive environments.

Assessment

*A minimum score of 85% on the final quiz is required to receive the Record of Completion.