communication strategies

Format: 8-10 pages, double-spaced 12 point Times New Roman font, 1” margins. In the second half of the course we have studied some key case studies of workplace inequality: gender, race, class, age. Though related (and often overlapping), each case involves a specific mixture of cultural, individual, conscious and unconscious biases. Furthermore, although immense structural barriers exist to obstruct workplace “equality,” these specific cases of inequality must also be read through the lens of particular institutions and their processes of recruitment, culture-building, mentoring, evaluation, and promotion. In other words, in spite of the external influences on our workplace culture, tackling inequality requires both a specific understanding of organizations and an attention to specific communication and leadership strategies. In this final paper, take what you have learned regarding one type of inequality—gender, race, class, age—and analyze how a specific organization either has confronted or could confront this inequality through some of the communication strategies discussed in class and in our readings. You have wide latitude in choosing an organization: you are free to discuss your own (pseudonyms are of course acceptable); one with which you are knowledgeable; one in the news; or one in which you have always had an interest. (Tip: If you are unsure, think backward from the communication strategy, not the organization. Begin by thinking about what type of program or strategy you are interested, and then look for organizations that have undertaken similar strategies.) When analyzing the organization’s strategies (or potential strategies), first define the organization’s situation and its current approach to tackling this inequality. Identify the inequality: Does it involve only specific groups, or is it more general? Where does the inequality manifest: Hiring? Retention? Promotion? Culture? Branding? What has—and what hasn’t—been done to confront the issue? Then, support your proposed course of action by connecting it to one or more communication strategies suggested by our texts. (Tip: think about the strategic recommendations of Google Ventures, Sandberg, HBR, McCall/Kallberg, and Carraher.) This should provide a platform for comparison and contrast with your specific case.