SOCIAL AND CULTURAL FOUNDATIONS OF COUNSELING
Review of theory and research into social identity and cultural foundations of counseling including: (a) the societal context for bias, discrimination and differential treatment of sociocultural groups including but not limited to diversity of sexual orientation, gender expression, social class, cultural/ethnic/racial groups, ability status among other groups; (b) human diversity in social norms, cultural values, social identities, as well as intergroup and intragroup relations; (c) counselors' roles in developing cultural competence, reducing bias and discriminatory treatment of subgroups, and advocating for social justice; and (d) the practice implications of for providing cultural competence in serving across forms of sociocultural diversity.
Prerequisites & course information
Requisites: Declared in Counseling, Counseling Psychology, Rehabilitation Counseling, or Rehabilitation Counselor Education Course Designation: Grad 50% - Counts toward 50% graduate coursework requirement Repeatable for Credit: No Last Taught: Fall 2026 Learning Outcomes: 1. Describe attitudes, beliefs, and acculturative experiences; including specific experiential learning activities that are designed to foster students’ understanding of self and of the cultural and social identity diversity of clients Audience: Graduate 2. Develop the ability to respond constructively to others who have different perspectives Audience: Graduate 3. Evaluate various implications of concepts such as internalized oppression, institutional racism, and the historical and current political climate regarding immigration, poverty, and welfare Audience: Graduate 4. Analyze the ethical and legal considerations associated with providing services in contexts that represent social and cultural diversity Audience: Graduate 5. Apply knowledge of counselors’ roles in developing cultural self-awareness, promoting cultural social justice, advocacy and conflict resolution, and other culturally-supported behaviors that promote optimal wellness and growth of the human spirit, mind, or body Audience: Graduate Learning Outcomes: 1. Describe attitudes, beliefs, and acculturative experiences; including specific experiential learning activities that are designed to foster students’ understanding of self and of the cultural and social identity diversity of clients Audience: Graduate 2. Develop the ability to respond constructively to others who have different perspectives Audience: Graduate 3. Evaluate various implications of concepts such as internalized oppression, institutional racism, and the historical and current political climate regarding immigration, poverty, and welfare Audience: Graduate 4. Analyze the ethical and legal considerations associated with providing services in contexts that represent social and cultural diversity Audience: Graduate 5. Apply knowledge of counselors’ roles in developing cultural self-awareness, promoting cultural social justice, advocacy and conflict resolution, and other culturally-supported behaviors that promote optimal wellness and growth of the human spirit, mind, or body Audience: Graduate
Sources
- Course catalogue ↗2026-2027