Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2023 - FASS 207 E100

STT-Cultural Humility: Understanding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (1)

Cultural Humility

Class Number: 4719

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 8 – Jun 19, 2023: Wed, 4:30–7:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    15 units.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Explores the broad topic of cultural humility in order to gain a greater understanding of how cultural beliefs and values impact behaviour. Students will learn to distinguish key terms in the area of diversity, inclusion and equity. Students will explore ways to improve inclusion.

COURSE DETAILS:

Skills in equity, diversity and inclusion are essential across various settings and professions. Gain a foundational understanding of key concepts to prepare yourself for success in your future career (whatever it may be). This course includes self-reflection; thinking and writing about your own cultural values and beliefs, as well as your personal experiences that pertain to equity and inclusion (or a lack thereof). Through reflective journals and in your final paper, you will enhance your awareness of how aspects of your own identity (gender, race, socioeconomic class) influence your behaviour. In the group assignment you will practice allyship, using your voice to interrupt instances of discrimination. 

FASS 207 is the only course at SFU which includes access to the Intercultural Development Inventory, “a statistically reliable, cross-culturally valid measure of intercultural competence” (IDI LLC, 2023).  The classes are skills-based, and class time is devoted to practicing skills, getting feedback from the instructor and peers, and then refining your skills. 

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

  • Distinguish key terms in the area of diversity, inclusion and equity
  • Reflect on cultural beliefs and how they impact your behaviour
  • Discuss aspects of cultural humility:
    • Recognize dynamics of power and privilege
    • Exercise self-reflection and critique
    • Practice life-long learning
    • Be comfortable with not knowing
  • Complete the Intercultural Development Inventory
  • Appreciate the insights and critiques of the Intercultural Development Continuum
  • Brainstorm ideas for inclusion in a variety of settings

FASS 207 runs for 5 weeks (May 8-June 9). The first session is 1 hour, the rest of 4 sessions are 3 hours each. This is a 1 credit course.

Grading

  • Weekly reflective journals, group assignment, final paper and presentation, as follows: 100%
  • Students are expected to participate thoughtfully and engage in small and large group discussions in class and on Canvas. Completion of the Intercultural Development Inventory and Online Debrief contributes to participation also. Students will be provided with a prompt question in order to foster self-reflection. Reflective journals of 500 words are due one week after each class and encourage students to enhance their awareness of how aspects of their own identity (gender, race, socioeconomic class) influence their behaviour. Students are expected to thoughtfully engage with the prompt questions. In small groups, students will role play a scenario to demonstrate speaking up against everyday bigotry as per one of the assigned readings. In the last class, all students will have 3 minutes to share key points from their final paper in order to gather feedback on their final submission.
  • Since this course is only 5 weeks long, students are expected to be in attendance for all the classes. The classes are skills-based, and class time is devoted to practicing the skills, getting feedback from the instructor and peers, and then refining the skills. All readings and assigned activities in Canvas should be completed prior to each class. Classroom discussions or short presentations from the instructor will not be recorded.

NOTES:

This FASS Forward course is delivered entirely in-person. It is designed to improve your skills for future success and work in this class is expected to be of high quality. A competency-based grading system will be used to assess your academic performance and active participation in all learning activities. That means only a P (pass) or F (fail) will appear on your transcript. There is no numerical equivalent for the final grade, and it does not affect either your grade point average or cumulative grade point average.

  • P (pass) means that you have demonstrated your competency in relation to the learning objectives, met all the criteria for the course, and demonstrated the skills you have acquired.
  • F (fail) means that you do not receive credit for the course.

REQUIREMENTS:

A grading rubric will be shared with students. 

Self-Care & Student Well-being: The topics discussed in this course can be sensitive and evoke strong feelings. I encourage you to seek support through your personal support network (your family and friends) and through resources such as MySSP and SFU Health & Counselling Services as needed. Students can access free professional counselling and support – reachable by phone or through the downloadable app through MySSP https://www.sfu.ca/students/health/resources/my-ssp.html . Immediate support or counselling is also available 24/7 by phone (1-844-451-9700)

Centre for Accessible Learning
Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu. ca or 778-782-3112) as soon as possible to ensure that they are eligible and that approved accommodations and services are implemented in a timely fashion.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Access to the Intercultural Development Inventory will be provided by the instructor.  The cost will be covered by the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (no cost to students enrolled in class).  
Students must have access to the internet as well as a computer/other device that permits streaming video, word processing, and teleconferencing with Zoom.

REQUIRED READING:

All reading material will be available online through the SFU Library or on Canvas as PDFs. Course readings include, and are not limited to, the following or excerpts from the following:

First Nations Health Authority. (2016). Leading a framework for Cultural Safety & Humility Infographic. Retrieved from: https://www.fnha.ca/PublishingImages/wellness/cultural-humility/FNHA-Cultural-Safety-and-Humility-Graphic-Sam-Bradd.jpgLinks to an external site.

Hankivsky, O. (2014). Intersectionality 101. Retrieved from:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/279293665_Intersectionality_101Links to an external site.

McIntosh, P. (1988). White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack. Retrieved from:
https://www.racialequitytools.org/resourcefiles/mcintosh.pdfLinks to an external site.

Okun, T. & Jones, K. (2001). White Supremacy Culture. Retrieved from:  https://www.thc.texas.gov/public/upload/preserve/museums/files/White_Supremacy_Culture.pdfLinks to an external site.

Southern Poverty Law Centre (SPLC). (2015). Speak Up: Responding to Everyday Bigotry. Retrieved from: https://www.splcenter.org/sites/default/files/d6_legacy_files/downloads/publication/splcspeak_up_handbook_0.pdf Links to an external site.  (Pages 1-7 and 38-48 of the PDF)

Sue D.W. (2005). Racism and the Conspiracy of Silence: Presidential Address. The Counseling Psychologist. 2005;33(1):100-114. doi:10.1177/0011000004270686Links to an external site.

Allyship: http://sendtherightmessage.ca/allyship (Links to an external site.) 


REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the semester are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.