Cultural Competency in Psychology

Catalog description

This course will familiarize students with the need for sensitivity to individual and group differences associated with culture and ethnicity. PSYC 501 Cultural Competency in Psychology (3) PSYC 501Cultural Competency in Psychologyis intended to provide a broad perspective on some of the major ways in which people are different from one another. This course will demonstrate some of the ways in which one's heritage interacts with individual differences and impacts on the person's beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors. The overall objectives of this course are to increase sensitivity to diversity issues, assist students in recognition of their own cultural biases, and lay the groundwork for learning to work with people who are different from one's self. Appreciation for both individual and population differences, and learning to work effectively with those differences, are the goals of this course. PSYC 501 is a required Psychology Core course in both the Applied Clinical Psychology and Applied Psychological Research programs. It is intended to raise awareness of the fundamental issues with which researchers and mental health professionals need to be attentive to as the population increases in diversity. This course will provide a perspective on population issues which impact on the entire field of psychology, and thus should be taken early in the program of study. Admission to either the Applied Clinical Psychology or Applied Psychological Research program is a prerequisite for this course. Students in related areas may request permission of the instructor to register for this class on a space available basis.Students will be evaluated on the quality of their class participation, examination performance, and a major research paper covering issues relevant to working with people who are from a different background than the student. The course will be offered annually with an enrollment limit of 25 students.