Teaching Employment Discrimination Law, Virtually

Abstract

This article explores virtual worlds as a teaching technique in the Employment Discrimination class. In designing and creating an avatar, students may see how elements of their online identities and appearance are malleable. Because employers are increasingly using technology and virtual environments, virtual worlds may either promote meritocracy or replicate existing stereotyping and hierarchies. This article presents several strategies for using technology as a way to study employment discrimination and to use technology as a de-biasing agent.

Keywords: employment discrimination, virttual worlds, Second Life, avatar