MCCCD Program Description

Introduction to Multiculturalism

Course: CPD160

First Term: 2012 Fall

Lecture 3.0 Credit(s) 3.0 Period(s) 3.0 Load
Subject Type: Academic
Load Formula: S

Description: Examination of the multiple cultures and subcultures within the contemporary United States. Personal exploration of awareness and appreciation of multiculturalism. Activities for experiencing diverse cultural perspectives. Critical thinking skills for recognizing, analyzing, and mediating cultural and psychological factors impacting conflict and accord between diverse cultures through written and oral discourse.

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Write a description of one`s own cultural diversity, and identify the cultural diversity of others. (I) 2. Describe and analyze, in writing, personal thoughts, feelings, attitudes, and behaviors regarding cultural diversity in the United States. ( I, II) 3. Assess personal values, issues, experiences, and environmental influences related to multiculturalism. (I, II) 4. Identify instances of cultural privilege and power, and write an analysis of their effects on the relationships and achievements of individuals and cultures in United States society. (II) 5. Demonstrate communication and problem-solving skills for effective multicultural interactions and collaborations in the home, learning environment, workplace, and community. (III, IV) 6. Propose strategies for transforming environments to support diverse citizenship in a multicultural United States society. (III, IV)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.

MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Multicultural Awareness A. Awareness of U.S. cultures and subcultures 1. Defining cultural and subcultural differences including, but not limited to, those of class, gender, race, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, nationality, ability, age, language, appearance, and exception 2. Identifying one`s own cultural diversity 3. Visible and invisible cultural elements 4. Cultural patterns of thought, behavior, assumptions, values, orientations, and adaptations 5. Differences in cultural styles, communication, decision making, problem solving, and distress response 6. Diversity within diversity B. Psychological dimensions 1. Bias and perspective 2. Conditioned responses 3. Generalizations 4. Cultural and subcultural influence on behavior 5. Cultural differences in norms and expectations C. Identifying personal responses 1. Personal values regarding cultural diversity 2. Environmental influences and origins of values 3. Effect of personal experiences on values 4. Ethnocentrism of cultural comparisons D. Prejudice reduction 1. Analysis of myths and stereotypes 2. Nonjudgmental approach to cultural norms 3. Initiating exchange interactions between cultures and subcultures 4. Negotiating adaptations to one another`s norms 5. Positive imaging II. Impact of Privilege and Power in U.S. Multicultural Relationships A. Gender differences 1. Roles and expectations 2. Communication and behavior patterns 3. Aspects of privilege 4. Aspects of power 5. Impact on esteem 6. Gender resources and assets B. Cultural experiences of limitation 1. Detecting devaluation 2. Detecting invisibility 3. Detecting discrimination 4. Detecting marginalization C. Privilege 1. Group membership rewards 2. Analyzing cultural and subcultural advantages and disadvantages D. Power 1. Access and control of resources 2. Interactions across lines of power 3. Assessing needs across diverse cultural and subcultural groups 4. Creating openness to diverse perspectives E. Mutually satisfying resolutions 1. Commitment to common goal 2. Giving and sharing of privilege and power 3. Empowerment III. Skill Development and Application A. Interpretations of behavior 1. Attending to responses 2. Evaluating assumptions B. Multicultural competence 1. Communication skills 2. Problem-solving skills 3. Identifying resources and assets C. Resolving cultural related conflicts 1. Conflict response styles 2. Emotions of conflict 3. Conflict analysis and intervention 4. De-escalating conflicts 5. Resolution process 6. Building consensus IV. Citizenship and Multiculturalism A. Goals for a multicultural U.S. society 1. Rights 2. Responsibilities 3. Identification of unmet needs 4. Creating options to meet multicultural needs B. In the home and with family 1. Patterns of interpersonal relationships 2. Identification of communication and negotiation style differences 3. Creating a climate for multicultural agreement C. In learning environments 1. Environmental assessment 2. Identifying differences in teaching and learning styles 3. Developing strategies for altering learning environments D. In the workplace 1. Assessment of political climate 2. Differences in work styles and workplace values 3. Developing strategies for promoting a multicultural workplace E. In the community 1. Assessment of community make-up and interactions 2. Identification of community participation 3. Developing strategies for promoting a multicultural community

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: February 28, 2012

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.