Language, Power, and Access in Healthcare and Education

Catalog description

Communication and culture are deeply connected. You may talk with your hands because that’s how your family communicates, or you may speak more than one language because you grew up in a multilingual household. In this course, you will explore how culture, identity, and larger social contexts shape the way people communicate and how others perceive their communication. You will also learn about the origins of the allied health and education fields, including speech-language pathology (SLP) and examine how systemic forces such as racism, ableism, and language privilege have shaped the professions and access to services. You will learn about the importance of culturally responsive practices, advocacy, and integrating equity and social justice into future careers in healthcare and education. The course may be especially useful for students preparing for careers in speech-language pathology, healthcare, or education, but it is open to anyone curious about the role of culture in communication.