I. General Information

1. Course Title:
Multicultural Dimensions of Human Services

2. Course Prefix & Number:
HSER 1112

3. Course Credits and Contact Hours:

Credits: 3

Lecture Hours: 3

Lab Hours: 0

4. Course Description:

This course focuses on the knowledge, skills and attitudes that human service practitioners need to work effectively in culturally diverse communities. You will learn how to assess the impact of cultural differences in human service situations and how to adjust communication, goals, and services to meet the needs of consumers. As part of this course, you will explore your own and each other's cultural identities, values, attitudes, and behaviors.

5. Placement Tests Required:

Accuplacer (specify test):

No placement tests required

Score:

6. Prerequisite Courses:

There are no prerequisites for this course.

9. Co-requisite Courses:

There are no corequisites for this course.

II. Transfer and Articulation

III. Course Purpose

1. Program-Applicable Courses – This course is required for the following program(s):

Human Services AAS
Human Services Technician Diploma

IV. Learning Outcomes

1. College-Wide Outcomes

College-Wide Outcomes/Competencies	Students will be able to:
Demonstrate reading and listening skills	Describe active listening skills.
Apply abstract ideas to concrete situations	Describe how implicit bias can hinder culturally appropriate care.
Discuss/compare characteristics of diverse cultures and environments	Determine how to change your communication style based on the consumer with whom you are working.

2. Course Specific Outcomes - Students will be able to achieve the following measurable goals upon completion of the course:

• Describe cultural fluidity and why it is important in the human services industry;  
• Identify your own cultural identity; 
• Describe racism, power, and privilege;   
• Understand implicit bias and how it impacts your work with consumers;  
• Demonstrate understanding of issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Incorporate culturally appropriate communication in your dealings with consumers;   
• Utilize nonviolent communication skills and motivational interviewing skills to support consumers  
• Utilize conflict resolution strategies to deal with difficult behaviors and move towards consumer empowerment; and
• Describe how the culture of the community affects the health and wellbeing of consumers.

V. Topical Outline

Listed below are major areas of content typically covered in this course.

1. Lecture Sessions

1. Cultural Competence and Cultural Fluidity 
• Definition  
• Demographics 
• Fear and pain associated with moving towards cultural competence 
• Model of cultural competency  
• Agency  
• Cultural competence skill areas 
• Ethical and Professional Standards 
2. Working with diverse clients 
• How is cross cultural helping different 
• Difference 
• Power 
• Therapeutic/ professional presence 
• Preparing for cross cultural work 
• Assessing culturally diverse clients 
• Establishing rapport 
• Diverse client populations
3. Racism, Prejudice and White Privilege 
• Define and contextualize racism 
• Individual racism and prejudice 
• Traits and tendencies that support racism and prejudice 
• Modern prejudice 
• Microaggressions / microabuses 
• Implicit bias 
• Implications for providers 
• Intuitional racism 
• Consciousness, intent, and denial 
• White privilege 
• Self-awareness 
• Becoming a cultural ally 

4. Diverse Client Populations

   • LGBTQIA+
   • Socioeconomic
   • Mentally and physically challenged
5. Understanding culture and cultural differences 
• What is culture 
• Culture versus race 
• Dimensions of culture 
• Verbal expressiveness and self-disclosure 
• Models of culturally competent care 
• Parenting 
• Working with diverse parents and families 
• Culturally sensitive work with children
6. Bias in Service Delivery 
• Impact of social, political, and racial attitudes 
• Underrepresentation in providers 
• cof paraprofessionals 
• Bias in assessment and diagnosis 
7. Mental health issues 
• Stress  
• Psychological trauma 
• Racial identify and group belonging 
• Assimilation and acculturation 
• Drug and alcohol use 
8. Treating victims of ethnic conflict, genocide, and mass violence 
• Historic trauma 
• Unresolved grief 
• Forgiveness and reparations 
9. Cultural insight  
• Race 
• Ethnicity 
• Sexual orientation 
• Disability 
• Age