Teaching Diversity: A Study of Organizational Needs and Diversity Curriculum in Higher Education

Abstract

Little evidence exists regarding how college diversity courses can best support the needs of the business community. To understand whether diversity courses fit business needs, a content analysis of syllabi was compared to a survey of human resources (HR) managers regarding the diversity management skills sought in college graduates. Findings demonstrate that HR managers want more emphasis on communication and listening skills, team building, and international diversity issues, whereas the syllabi place more emphasis on specific demographic groups and how diversity should be managed. There is a need to establish a closer link between course content and organizational demands.