ETH 114 - Achieving Cultural Competence

Credits: 3
3 Lecture Hours

Description
This course equips students with the tools to understand people of cultures other than their own, exploring a working definition of “culture.” Students are exposed to the aspects of culture that lead to our value systems. How value systems determine behavior, leading to unfair treatment of others is studied. Students learn what aspects of our lives are culturally determined, exploring how societies enforce accepted cultural norms. Major aspects of culture are explored as well as how culture is learned and transmitted. Students explore the cultures to which they belong.

Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, the student will:

Articulate the concept of “culture.”
Explain the difference between folkways and mores and their societal importance.
Discuss the cultural underpinning of folkways and mores.
Discuss the Melting Pot Theory and its inaccuracies and dangers.
Explain components of our belief system that are culturally determined.
Explore non-verbal communication across, at minimum, three cultural groups.
Distinguish between “cultural” and “sub-cultural” groups.
Explore whether there are differences between male and female “culture.”
Explore the role “unearned privilege” plays in discrimination in American culture.
Explain how cultural arrogance leads to unfair treatment of many people.

Listed Topics

Definition of ”culture”
Cultures and subcultures
Value systems as a part of belief systems
Folkways, mores and sanctions
Transmission of cultural norms: who, how, when
Identification of societal norms that are culturally determined such as: courting, marriage, birth, child-rearing, death and dying beliefs
Identification and exploration of our own individual cultural beliefs
Nonverbal communication across cultures and resulting misunderstandings
Gender bias as an American cultural norm
Treatment of the elderly across cultures
Exploration of “White or unearned” privilege in America as a cultural norm

Reference Materials
Textbook/materials as required by the instructor

Students who successfully complete this course acquire general knowledge, skills and abilities that align with CCAC’s definition of an educated person. Specifically, this course fulfills these General Education Goals:

Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
Culture Society & Citizenship

Approved By: Dr. Quintin B. Bullock Date Approved: 5/14/2021

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ETH 114 - Achieving Cultural Competence