Chabot College

Course Outline for Multicultural Issues in Contemporary America, Page 2

Fall 2004

Chabot College Fall 2004

Replaced Fall 2010

Course Outline for Psychology-Counseling 13

MULTICULTURAL ISSUES IN CONTEMPORARY AMERICA

Catalog Description:

13 - Multicultural Issues in Contemporary America 3 units

Exploration of issues relating to the multicultural community in which we live today. Interpersonal relations and communication. Focus on improving the individuals understanding of other cultures and how those cultures impact the American lifestyle. Includes exploration of myths and misunderstandings. Discussion of four specific cultures or sub-cultures from the following groups: 1) African-American, 2) Asian-American, 3) Hispanic-American, 4) Native-American, 5) Middle Eastern-American, 6) European-American, 7) Gay/Lesbian American, 8) Disabled American. 3 hours

[Typical contact hours: 52.5]

Expected Outcome for Students:

Upon completion of the course the student should be able to:

  1. identify other cultures represented on campus and in our community;
  2. describe how dominant cultures are presented in current media;
  3. express the value of other cultures to American society today;
  4. analyze differing cultures within the American culture;
  5. demonstrate improved interpersonal communication skills through better awareness of cultural differences and similarities;
  6. compare and contrast the contributions of differing cultures to the American culture;
  7. evaluate the inter-relationship of other cultures to the American culture.

Course Content:

  1. Multiculturalism in American History and modern life
  2. Changes in modern American culture resulting from other cultures
  3. Current stereotypes of members of cultural groups studied
  4. Gender role issues of cultural groups being studied
  5. Effects of discrimination on the cultural groups being studied
  6. Socio-economic issues related to the cultural groups being studied
  7. Artistic/Aesthetic contributions made by the cultural groups being studied
  8. Science/Technology contributions made by the cultural groups being studied
  9. Reevaluation of personal attitudes and stereotypes
  10. Current campus, community and state demographics

Explanatory Notes

a.  Specific Asian-American cultures could include such cultures as: Chinese-American, Japanese-American, Korean-American, Vietnamese-American, and Filipino-American

b.  Specific Hispanic-American cultures could include such cultures as: Mexican-American, Chicano-American, Puerto Rican-American, and Latin-American

c.  Specific Native-American cultures could include such cultures as: Native Indian American, Eskimo-American, Aleutian-American, and Hawaiian-American

d.  Specific Middle Eastern-American cultures could include such cultures as: Afghan-American, Iranian-American, Israeli-American and Jordanian-American

e.  Specific European-American cultures could include such cultures as: Italian-American, German-American, Greek-American, French-American, and Portuguese-American

Methods of Presentation:

1.  Lecture

2.  Film analysis

3.  Reading literary excerpts

4.  Group discussion

Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:

1.  Typical Assignments

  1. Substantial paper of 5-7 pages related to each culture studied in the course or in class writing assignments
  2. Attendance at film viewing
  3. Student journal
  4. Prepare for class discussion

2.  Methods of Evaluating Student Progress

  1. Quizzes
  2. Papers
  3. Exams
  4. Class participation

Textbook(s) (Typical):

The American Mosaic, Rico & Mano, Houghton-Mifflin, 2001.

CEH:rjs 12/01/94 Revised 2/16/95, 9/25/01, 9/02/03

DN: 9/6/03