This course is designed to provide students with a didactic theoretical and experiential learning environment that will challenge them to (a) critically conceptualize the cultural awareness of self and others; (b) identify sociopolitical influences involved in oppression and privilege; (c) examine specific cultural issues of non-majority populations; (d) explore the research, theoretical models, and techniques to enhance counseling skills and level of multicultural competency; (e) and identify counseling implications when working with diverse populations. (20 CSR 2095-2.010, Core 3, C). 3 hours.

Adams, M., Blumenfeld, W. J., Chase, D., Catalano, C., DeJong, K., Hackman, H. W., Hopkins, L. E., Love, B. J., Peters, M. L., Shalasko, D., & Zúñiga, X. (2018). Readings for diversity and social justice (4th ed.). New York, NY: Routledge. ISBN 13: 978-1-138-05528-5   

Sue, D. W., & Sue. D. (2016). Counseling the culturally diverse: Theory & practice (7th ed.). New York, NY: Wiley & Sons. ISBN 13: 978-1-119-08430-3

Additional required readings will be available in myCMU for the course

Upon successful completion of the course, each counselor-in-training should be able to:

Objectives from 2016 CACREP standards that are directly tied to programmatic student learning objectives in Section 2, F2:

1. Students will have an understanding about multicultural and pluralistic characteristics within and among diverse groups nationally and internationally. (core 2.a)
2. Students will be able to describe theories and models of multicultural counseling, cultural identity development, and social justice and advocacy. (core 2.b)
3. Students will be able to describe multicultural counseling competencies. (core 2.c)
4. Students will be able to describe the impact of heritage, attitudes, beliefs, understandings, and acculturative experiences on an individual’s views of others. (core 2.d)
5. Students will be able to describe the effects of power and privilege for counselors and clients. (core 2.e)
6. Students will be able to identify help-seeking behaviors of diverse clients. (core 2.f)
7. Students will be able to describe the impact of spiritual beliefs on clients’ and counselors’ worldviews. (core 2.g)
8. Students will be able describe strategies for identifying and eliminating barriers, prejudices, and processes of intentional and unintentional oppression and discrimination. (core 2.h)