Assignment: Diversity and Ethics Cover Letter
1. Address the two questions (two paragraphs) about you and your background
2. Write a one-paragraph response to the scenario provided
3. Each paragraph should be at least 5–7 sentences long.
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Paragraph 1:
Describe how your background and unique perspective would be a valuable addition to the team. Which sociological concepts we’ve explored in this course might help you make the case? Think of aspects like your background, experiences, and talents.
Paragraph 2:
Give an example of a time when you intentionally looked at other diverse and ethical perspectives in order to make a more ethical decision. Were there any sociological concepts that could help explain your decision-making process? What were they, and what influence did they have?
Paragraph 3:
How would you approach this issue using diverse and ethical perspectives? Draw on specific examples from the scenario and your personal and professional experiences.
Scenario (for paragraph 3 response):
In the graduate program at Herringbone University, students are allowed only one missed class per semester before facing academic discipline. Three female students have approached you, as the diversity and ethics officer, with a concern about the policy. They explain that they all have young children (as do many students in the program) and that getting child care during class times is difficult since some of the classes don’t end until 8 o’clock in the evening. They feel the policy is unfair—especially since the university doesn’t offer any support, leniency on the policy, or childcare options. In addition, the location of the university (in an upper-middle-class neighborhood where most children have at least one parent at home) is inconvenient for most of the students, who reside in a neighborhood where children typically have either two working parents or a single working parent.