In this lesson, learners examine Affirmative Action programs in the workplace and begin to explore the concept of "reverse discrimination," using Internet sources and the attached study guides.

The learner will:

• access the Internet to read information pertaining to Affirmative Action in the workplace.
  
• use Affirmative Action in the Workplace (Attachment One) to organize information researched on the Internet

Anticipatory Set:
The teacher tells the class to imagine that ten students are to be chosen for a paid community-based work training program. A new technology firm has decided to open a business in the area, and they are looking for high school students to work as interns in Web Design. Students interested in the program must read and sign a form indicating they realize that of the ten students accepted for employment, at least five must be African American or Hispanic. This stipulation will be followed until the work force at the firm is racially proportionate to that of the community (approximately 35% of the community is either Hispanic or African American). One Hispanic and one African American intern accepted into the program were less qualified than two European Americans denied admittance to the program. Do the two European Americans have the right to sue for acceptance into the employment program?

• In the computer lab, students access the web site www.AUAA.org, click on AUAA library, then Steelworkers v. Weber. Read through the Forward, Sections A and B. (Note to teacher: This is difficult reading. I suggest going over it aloud with the class to clarify any confusion over the language and terminology.)
  
  
• Pass out Attachment One: Affirmative Action in the Workplace and instruct learners to scroll through the Forward, and Sections A and B to answer questions. (Note to teacher: Again, due to the difficult language, you may wish to do this reading guide together as a large group project)

http://www.auaa.org/