Skagit Valley College

Catalog Course Search Details

 Course Title:   Pluralism in Human Services: D

 Title Abbreviation:   PLURALISM HUMAN SERV: D

 Department:    HSERV

 Course #:    232

 Credits:    5

 Variable:     No

 IUs:    5

 CIP:    511508

 EPC:    424

 REV:    2018


 Course Description  

Issues of pluralism and diversity with focus on relationships between agencies, staff and the diverse client populations served in the Human Services profession.

 Prerequisite  

Prerequisite: HSERV 132.

Additional Course Details

Contact Hours (based on 11 week quarter)

Lecture: 55

Lab: 0

Other: 0

Systems: 0

Clinical: 0


Intent: Distribution Requirement(s) Status:  

Vocational Preparatory Required for ATA degree  

Equivalencies At Other Institutions

Other Institution Equivalencies Table
Institution Course # Remarks
N/A

Learning Outcomes

After completing this course, the student will be able to:

  1. As a Human Services professional, understand and recognize the importance of a commitment to respecting diversity and developing empathy for, and an appreciation of, the life experiences of those who are culturally different.
  2. Understand the history of diverse cultural groups within the United States and the impact of prejudice and discrimination on these populations.
  3. Understand the inter-relationships of the dominant (superordinate) and minority (subordinate) cultures of the United States.
  4. Have a familiarity of theories explaining why prejudice and discrimination occur and the importance of equalitarian values and practice in the provision of human services.
  5. Develop insight into the student's own culture as well as the culture of other groups.
  6. Understand the universality of human needs and importance of equality in the provision of opportunities and access to meeting those needs for all people.
  7. Develop sensitivity and effectiveness in working with diverse client populations through a focus on specific culturally competent communication skills.

General Education Learning Values & Outcomes

Revised August 2008 and affects outlines for 2008 year 1 and later.

4. Community & Cultural Diversity

Definition: Recognizing the value of human communities and cultures from multiple perspectives through a critical understanding of their similarities and differences.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
4.1 Identify and express concepts, terms, and issues associated with the diverse perspectives of race, social class, gender, sexual orientation, disabilities, and culture.
4.2 Understand, value and respect human differences and commonalities as they relate to issues of race, social class, gender, sexual orientation, disabilities and culture.
4.3 Understand the historically and socially constructed nature of—and the meanings attributed to—human differences.

Course Contents

  1. Introduction to the concept of pluralism and reasons for developing understanding and appreciation for cultures other than one's own.
  2. Historical development of the culture being discussed, including major accomplishments.
  3. Values of the culture (family, education, religious, spiritual, work and recreation).
  4. Contemporary issues of the culture (what changes are occurring from within and outside of the culture, and what does the future look like).
  5. In what ways communities (neighborhoods, schools, work place) are responding to the changing demographics and are the responses positive or negative.
  6. What is taking place within this community that students may participate in.
  7. Diverse client populations with a focus on specific culturally competent communication skills.