Discussions relate to course material. Three posts are required for most discussions. Initial posts must be at least 150-200 words, and two replies to your classmates must be 100-150 words. Your response must follow the instructions in the discussion prompt.

You only need one post for this discussion assignment.

Instructions:

Diversity may contribute a richness of perspective and understanding to a workgroup or organization. But to unlock these riches, it is essential that people develop tools for understanding individuals and cultures different from their own. Not all college students have experienced crossing a cultural boundary to live in another country. But most have encountered subcultures in the context of their middle or high school years. Teen subcultures are often quite pronounced and diverse. This exercise will offer practice in recognizing and understanding diversity.

Step 1: Identify teen subcultures. Think back to your middle school or high school experiences and identify some of the major subcultures you observed (Athletes, Toughs, and so on). Share descriptions of these subcultures with your classmates.

Step 2: Conduct diversity training. Choose one of the subcultures and describe to your classmates what a young person would need to know to fit in with this subculture, including the following dimensions:

clothing

manner of speech, common slang, or "code language"

music

value of the subculture to members; what it means to be "in" this group

Step 3: Discuss how teen subcultures are diverse. In what ways do teen subcultures bond diverse people together (athletes of different races, for example) and help them to understand one another better? In what ways do teen subcultures separate people into "cliques" or foster stereotyping ("us" vs. "them")?

Step 4: Debrief. Based on your observations, what are the challenges for organizations that are seriously attempting to value diversity? What are the benefits to these organizations? How do organizations train people about cultural (and subcultural) differences without falling into stereotypes?