Certificate in Critical Cultural Competence

1. Certificate in Critical Cultural Competence

2. What is Cultural Competence? **An ability to interact effectively with people of different cultures A) Awareness of one’s own cultural worldview B) Attitudes toward cultural differences C) Knowledge of different cultural practices and worldviews D) Cross-cultural skills

3. Program Mission • To provide students the knowledge, skills and attitudes to increase their effectiveness in relating across cultural differences and prepare them for life in increasingly diverse domestic and international environments.

4. As a result of the knowledge and skills obtained in this program students will gain an appreciation of their own cultural identities and become critically self-reflective in their orientation toward differences in the identities of others

5. Outcomes for Participants • A greater appreciation of cultural difference • Greater awareness of the viewpoints of other cultures • Assessment of one’s own culture-related privilege/ disprivilege • Concern with issues of power and privilege • Social Justice • Greater ability to interact with individuals from diverse backgrounds in professional settings

6. Curriculum • Foundations of Critical Cultural Competence (3 s.h.) • Elective Courses (9 s.h.) • Course with an immersion learning or service learning component (3 s.h.) • Integrative Seminar in Critical Cultural Competence (3 s.h.)

7. Foundations of Critical Cultural Competence • Objectives: • 1) Provide students with a way of framing their future coursework in CCCC • 2) integrating the principles and practices of CCC into their professional, personal, and academic lives Available in Spring Semester 2010 Taught by Professor Vershawn Young Wednesdays 5-7:30 pm

8. Elective Courses • Over 50 course have already been identified as possibilities for filling the elective requirement. • The Elective Course Categories Are: • African American Culture • American Indian and Native Persons Culture • Gender and Sexuality • Global and International Populations & Culture • Latino Culture • Theory and Practice of Cultural Diversity • Issues of Class and Poverty

9. Immersion Learning or Service Learning Component • All immersion or service learning courses must be individually approved with the academic coordinator of the CCCC Program • Many Study Abroad Courses are appropriate to fulfill the requirement • Immersion Courses may include something like the Philadelphia Travel Seminar • Service Learning Courses must include a minimum of 30 hours of service learning activities in a off-campuscommunity setting

10. Integrative Seminar in Critical Cultural Competence • To be taken in a student’s final year • This seminar will focus on the application of knowledge learned in the program with students evaluating the challenges and benefits of operating in a culturally competent manner • Will culminate in the submission of a portfolio and project planning to enhance diversity and cultural competence in the university and the community as a whole.

11. Frequently Asked Questions • What if an elective fulfills a requirement for my major? • It may be possible to have certificate requirements overlap with major requirements. The coordinator will advise students individually on this matter. • Can I take the electives while I’m taking the foundation course? What about before? • The foundation course provides the framework by which one conceptualized the rest of their course of study. Co-curriculars may be allowable with prior approval from the program coordinator.

12. Frequently Asked Questions • Can I do the Immersion/Service Learning Component as an Independent Study? • We prefer for students do this portion as part of a fully formed program but there may be room for exceptions based on your plan of study. • Must I be a Sophomore to start the program? • A student must have at least sophomore standing to begin the program but juniors who are committed to finishing the program may also take part.