Counseling Diverse Populations Syllabus

SA 130: Counseling Diverse Populations

Counseling Diverse Populations examines counseling philosophies and modalities in the therapy relationship within the context of clients’ varying cultural backgrounds. These variations include differences in personal and psychological characteristics, environment, and socioeconomic status. Students will learn how counseling theories and techniques are applied to culturally different individuals and groups and identify sources of potential misunderstanding. We will examine communication and how culture affects mental health attitudes and help-seeking in various groups.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

SLO1: Demonstrate how heritage, attitudes, beliefs, understandings, and acculturative experiences affect an individual’s views of others and how clients’  help-seeking behaviors are influenced by the role(s) of indigenous/cultural health practices for physical, mental, spiritual, and psychological health.

SLO2: Identify how spiritual, cultural, religious, and political beliefs affect clients’ and counselors’ worldviews and describe the skills and attributes of a multicultural counselor.

SLO3: Identify theories and models of cross-cultural counseling, cultural identify development, the effects of power and privilege for counselors and clients, and social justice and advocacy.

SLO4: Demonstrate understanding concerns of diverse groups and describe strategies for identifying and eliminating barriers, prejudices, and processes of intentional and unintentional oppression and discrimination.

General Education Goals:  

Creative Thinking (Formulating new or original ideas): B. Students will be able to express themselves through original writings, images, or objects.

Minimum Technology Requirements

To complete this course successfully, access to a regular computer/laptop is essential. DO NOT try to use a cellular phone. If you only have access to a phone or tablet, please check your local library for the assistant to access a regular computer/laptop. Chrome browser is highly recommended for this course. You may download the Chrome browser by clicking here. Access to a microphone and a web camera is needed for zoom meetings with the instructor.

  • Download Free PDF Reader Software by clicking here.
  • Free access to web-based Office 365(including Excel) clicks here.

Additional technology requirement information can be found by accessing the Online College page.

Minimum Technical Skills Requirements

To complete this class successfully, you must be able to perform the following basic technical skills before starting the class

  • Use the Canvas learning management system
  • Use email with attachments
  • Download, save and upload files between your computer, book website, and the online course room
Course Policies

Weekly Modules: All materials will be listed in Canvas in Weekly Modules for students to complete. All assignments, discussions, and other activities will be completed and/or submitted in Canvas unless noted otherwise. Modules will open Monday at midnight and close Sunday evenings at 11:59 PM.

Discussions: Each week will likely have a discussion question/prompt. You are responsible for posting your response of 125-200 words, using at least one citation in APA format in your opening post. (A Link to the APA formatting and style guide (7th edition). You must respond to two classmates’ posts with at least 100 words each. The discussion rubric is found in Canvas.

Assignments:

You will receive various assignments throughout the quarter.

•    Any written assignments must be typed on a computer using a standard word processor (i.e., Microsoft Word). Any written assignments that are not completed using a standard word processor will not be accepted.

•    Please do not use your phone or mobile device for class assignments and do not submit assignments via the mobile app.

•    All assignments must be submitted via Canvas.

•    All written work must be word processed. No pictures of handwritten work will be accepted or graded.

    • All assignments must be submitted within required time frame. For example, Week 1 assignments must be submitted during Week 1.
    • Missing assignments due to absence must be submitted within 1 week of return.
    • All late submissions of assignments will result in a penalty of -1 point per day late up to one week. Anything over 1 week late will result in a grade of 0.
    • To receive full credit for late, students must provide documentation for an excused absences or it will be subject to the same treatment as any other late work. Examples include court documents, hospitalization, etc.
    • It is your responsibility to ask about missed assignments.

 

Quizzes/Tests: Exams are open book and open notes and will consist of 15-25 multiple-choice, short answer, and/or essay questions. You’ll have two opportunities to take the exam and the system will retain the higher score. If you miss an exam, please contact instructor immediately. Missing exams due to absence must be submitted within 1 week upon return. Failure to take missing exams within 1 week upon return will result in an F on the missed exams.

Projects: Information about projects if it applies

Assignment Points:

Tests                                     400 points   

Discussion Board                 100 points

Quizzes                                200 points

Journal submissions            100 points

Paper/Presentation              100 points

Total Points                          1000 points

Grading Scale:

A = 90% - 100%                   

B = 80% - 89%         

C = 70% - 79%           

D = 60% - 69%         

F = below 60%   

Student Expectations

​​​​​​Deadlines and due dates are posted in every module for every assignment. In the event of an emergency, please email your instructor. Knowing the following will help you be successful.

  • Please respect yourself, your instructor, and your classmates.
  • Please email me with any questions or to make an appointment to discuss any issue that arises.
  • The Syllabus is subject to change. Please see your weekly modules for the most up to date information. Any changes will be announced on the announcements section as well.
  • Use HJC resources to solve any technical issues.
  • Please read the assigned chapters in a timely manner and be prepared to discuss topics found in the textbook.
Communication

Emails will be responded to no later than 48 hours or by the end of business on Monday for mail received over the weekend.

College Policies

Academic Honesty Policy
The college has a firm policy against academic dishonesty, including cheating or plagiarism. Students guilty of academic dishonesty will be administratively dropped from the course with a grade of ‘F’ and subject to disciplinary action, which may include suspension and dismissal. 

Please refer to the Academic Honesty Policy for detailed information.

Late Assignment Policy

Meeting deadlines, being dependable, and applying appropriate time management are all foundational elements of professional behavior. These same attributes are also required while participating in college courses because the skills, knowledge, and student learning outcomes must be obtained in a specific order and within a certain amount of time.

We at HJC understand that sometimes students encounter circumstances that make it difficult to always meet the required course deadlines. This Late Work Policy is in place to accommodate that. In all circumstances, whenever possible, contact your instructor when you anticipate that you will be submitting work late.

The deadlines for most courses typically follow the pattern below, but it is your responsibility to confirm this and be aware if there are any assignments that may have different deadlines for one reason or another.

The first post in each Discussion Board is usually due on the Wednesday night of each module/week.

Most other assignments are due by 11:59 pm on Sunday evening of each module/week.

  • All assignments must be submitted by the required due date.
  • Missing assignments due to absence must be submitted within 1 week of return.
  • Late submissions of assignments will result in a reduction of 10% of the total points possible per day (e.g., 1 day late = -10%, 2 days late = 20%, etc.) up to one week. Anything over 1 week late will result in a grade of 0.
  • To receive full credit for late work, students must provide documentation for an excused absence, or it will be subject to the same treatment as any other late work. Documentation examples include court documents, hospitalization, etc.

Instructors may also choose to deduct less points at their discretion.

If for some reason a student temporarily loses the ability to connect to Canvas due to technical issues it is the student’s obligation to submit assignments by the original due dates. Temporary remedies can be connecting via a public WiFi spot, using school facilities to connect, or use of private networks through friends and family.

In extreme cases, when none of these solutions are available, the student may contact their instructors through other means and ask permission to submit their work directly, in a method that can be received by the instructor. Under no circumstances can methods of delivery outside of Canvas be used without explicit instructor permission. (If this ever happens the instructor should somehow note it).

Technology Support
To be a successful online learner, certain technologies are necessary.  Please keep in mind that certain classes may have additional technical requirements. You should be able to find additional technical requirements in your syllabus or your canvas course room. If you have any questions about the technology requirement, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at 304-697-7550 or support@hjc.edu

Accessibility Information
Huntington Junior College is committed to full compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. For additional information, please access accessibility policy. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us at 304-697-7550 or pjustice@hjc.edu if you have any additional questions.

Copyright Policy
As an institution of higher education, Huntington Junior College strongly believes in intellectual property. As such, Huntington Junior College respects intellectual property and has made it a priority to ensure all employees and students respect the copyrights of others. If you have any questions about our copyright policy, please access the copyright policy

Privacy Policy
The college understands the importance of protecting your information and privacy. Our Privacy Policy provides additional information on the Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act.

Other Student Success Services
Please access Student Success page for other student success services information, such as financial aid, lab hours, parking, library, transcripts, and career services on the college

If you need to speak with a person regarding any college policies and guidelines, please don't hesitate to get in touch with the college at 304-697-7550 

This information is standard for each course but specifics may vary based on the delivery method of the course you are taking. Please follow the information provided by your instructor.

This syllabus is subject to change.