Discussion Question: Gender EqualityBy Saturday, March 19, 2016,

 

1a. Women have a long history of being considered inferior to men. However, during the middle to the late 20th century, the women’s rights movement began to improve the plight of women in Western society by granting them access to societal positions previously held only by men.

Some people claim that women have finally achieved equality with men in the 21st century; others are not convinced. 

How will you describe the status of equality between men and women in contemporary Western culture? 

Do you see any major areas where women are still discriminated against on a large scale? If so, give at least two examples. If not, rationalize your views.

 

 

 

1b. Views on Diversity Wednesday, March 23, 2016.

 

Pablo believes that diversity is the most important issue in our culture, and that it is greatly underemphasized. On the other hand, Ralph rarely thinks of diversity, except when it is mentioned in the workplace. Monica is sensitized to multicultural issues because her parents are immigrants who still struggle with discrimination after being here for 20 years.

 

To obtain a cross-section of what people think about diversity, conduct five-minute interviews with three individuals you don’t know well, and assess their views on diversity. You have been provided an Informed Consent document for the respondents to sign along with verbally consenting to participate in this assignment. This is to enable that the respondents demonstrate a clear understanding of the meaning and purpose of this assignment. While you are expected to use the informed consent form in keeping with ethical practices for data collection, you do not need to submit it to the instructor as part of the assignment.

 

Ask the respondents the following questions and record their answers:

 

• When you hear the word diversity mentioned in the workplace, in the media, or in casual conversation, what meaning do you assign this term?
• Does a particular race, ethnic group, or other minority group come to mind when you think of diversity? Does one of these groups pertain to you?
• Do you think the majority of people in our culture:

 

• Respect cultural differences among groups of people.
• Show indifference to cultural differences.
• Lack respect for cultural differences. Explain each choice.

 

• If you were to make a suggestion about how our culture should handle diversity over the next decade, what would it be?

 

Compile your responses and write a brief reflection paper (two pages) on your findings. Specifically address the following issues:

 

• What did you discover was the general attitude toward diversity in our culture?
• Is diversity more associated with one race, ethnic, or other minority group than with others? If so, explain why this might be the case.
• Compare and contrast the respondent’s views with your own. How would you answer the same questions?

 

Your response should be at least two pages long. All written assignments and responses should follow APA rules for attributing sources.

 

2a. Discussion Question: Understanding Others’ Cultural Practices

 

By Saturday, March 26, 2016,

 

 

 

Kesha has invited her friend Carrie to go home with her over the school’s short holiday break. Kesha, like many African Americans, has a rich spiritual tradition that permeates most areas of her life. In addition, Kesha is close to her immediate and extended family. Carrie, on the other hand, comes from a predominantly Caucasian Presbyterian background, is an only child, and rarely sees any of her extended family.

 

 

 

During her visit, Carrie is noticeably uncomfortable with the vastly different dynamics of Kesha’s family. Carrie is rethinking her friendship with Kesha and wants to withdraw from her.

 

 

 

How will you help Carrie understand the cultural values inherent in the African American culture and how these might be affecting her?

 

 

 

Suggest ways in which Kesha could build a bridge to help Carrie understand the African American culture.

 

 

 

2b. Reflections on Racial Discrimination by Wednesday, March 30, 2016

 

Franklin hears about people being discriminated against at the workplace and in society but rarely experiences it first-hand. Cortez, on the other hand, speaks English poorly and is often subject to derogatory comments from peers and coworkers.

 

Reflect on your experience with racial discrimination.

 

Identify examples of racial discrimination and provide examples you have personally witnessed or heard about firsthand from the following three realms:

 

• family
• work place
• community

 

Write a brief summary that includes the following:

 

• Describe a racial incident pertaining to each realm in detail. Explain why you believe this is racial discrimination.
• Explain how this situation could have been handled to avoid discrimination against those belonging to another race.

 

Your response should be at least two pages long

 

 

 

3a. Discussion Question: Accepting Cultural Differences By Saturday, April 2, 2016

 

Earl Whitecloud is an American high-school student. He is constantly teased and bullied by his classmates because he occasionally wears clothing that represents his Native-American heritage. As a result, Earl spends most of his time at school alone, is absent far more than the average student, and performs poorly at school.

 

 

 

As Earl’s teacher, who acutely perceives the problem, you decide to devote a class period to talking about diversity and accepting cultural differences.

 

 

 

What three points will you emphasize the most and why?

 

 

 

Will you involve Earl in the discussion? Why or why not?

 

 

 

3b. LASA 1: Cultural Autobiography Wednesday, April 6, 2016.

 

The purpose of this assignment is to illustrate recognition of your own cultural background and how your worldview has been shaped by your family, role models and life experiences. This autobiography will help you express an appreciation for your own cultural identity and discover potential areas of development.

 

 

 

Begin by defining individuals that you consider family members. This includes, for example, parents or guardians, siblings and/or grandparents. Important information about these individuals includes places of birth, travel (if any), age, spiritual/religious beliefs, occupation, educational history, ethnicity, birth order, etc. In this description include the cultural heritage each individual and summarize the belief system of your family in general, including specific family values, religious and cultural practices, ceremonies, beliefs, and holiday celebrations. If possible, interview these individuals in an effort to gain new insight into your cultural heritage.

 

 

 

Next critically evaluate experiences in which you feel have had significant relevance in your multicultural development. Include both positive and negative experiences if applicable.

 

 

 

After taking a look at these influencing factors, critically examine and discuss who you are as a cultural being, including your racial identity. Think about your own development, functioning, values, behaviors and worldview and how you feel your family history, chosen role models, and experiences have shaped you. Describe how your life would be different had these cultural influences not been there. Be sure to include a description of interpersonal expectations for yourself and lifestyle choices. Finally, having taken a close look at your cultural autobiography, include potential biases which may influence how you interact with others. This could include, for example, favoring individuals of your own heritage or unconscious biases towards a certain cultural group.

 

 

 

Be sure to address each topic listed above and, as appropriate, cite the online course, the textbook, and other credible sources to substantiate the points you are making. For example, when discussing your racial identity please cite sources which you have referenced to better understand what this term means or use the text or lecture to substantiate points you are making about how gender has influenced your cultural development.

 

 

 

This paper should be approximately 4-6 pages

 

 

 

4a. Discussion Question: Cultural Differences and Professional Issues By Saturday, April 9, 2016

 

James is an African American heterosexual male who is also a counselor at a community mental-health center. Though James does not outwardly reject others with different sexual orientations, he is not empathetic toward people struggling with sexual identity issues. James feels that homosexuality is morally wrong and against his religious beliefs. However, James understands that as a counselor he must not discriminate against anyone – including sexual minorities. Clarence, a new client, has revealed that he is homosexual and is having difficulty admitting his sexual orientation to his family and others close to him. Clarence has also states he fears being rejected by his church congregation. He states that being abandoned by the church would further “shame his family” but admits that he cannot keep his life a secret anymore. He wants James’s help to embrace his homosexuality and live without shame.

 

 

 

For James to genuinely help Clarence, what issues does James need to address at a personal level to refrain from being judgmental of Clarence?

 

 

 

Is it possible for James to be objective enough to help Clarence work toward his goals? Why or why not?

 

 

 

4b. Living With a Disability by Wednesday, April 13, 2016

 

When Shelly saw Ms. Jones in a wheelchair, she felt sorry for her. She said a little prayer of thanks that she could walk and move freely without any hindrance. However, feeling badly for a person and actually sitting in the wheelchair for another vantage point is very different.

 

Imagine that you suffered an accident six months ago. The accident left you partially paralyzed from the waist down. You are currently seeking counseling from a professional specializing in working with individuals who have disabilities. It has been a difficult six months. Your central concerns relate to the emotional and physical adjustments you must now make in relation to your family, job, and future plans. You are permanently in a wheelchair and have limited use of your legs but full use of your arms and upper body.

 

• Identify three major issues that you think you would need to work through in therapy. Explain what aspect of each issue is problematic for you.

 

• Explain how your views on intimacy, usefulness, and security will change for you to make the necessary adjustments for living with the disability.

 

• How well do you think you would cope with this situation if you faced something similar in real life?

 

Your response should be at least two pages long.

 

 

 

5a. LASA 2: Discrimination: Reflection and Interview by Monday, April 18, 2016

 

Watch the Frontline program online.

Frontline: A Class Dividedhttp://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/divided/

 

A Class Divided explores the nature of prejudice. Third grade teacher Jane Elliott deliberately created a classroom situation to teach her students how it feels to be on the receiving end of discrimination. This is an encore presentation of the classic documentary on third-grade teacher Jane Elliott’s “blue eyes/brown eyes” exercise, originally conducted in the days following the assassination of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968. This classic classroom experiment, conducted in the late 1960s in a small Midwestern town, demonstrates how quickly and easily schoolchildren can internalize prejudice and discriminate. Years later, these children discuss the valuable lessons they learned from this experiment. Elliott employs this same teaching strategy with a group of adults in the workplace, and discusses their reactions.

 

This assignment is designed to allow you to synthesize what you have been learning about the various dimensions of diversity and the necessity of treating everyone in an inclusive, sensitive and respectful manner.

 

Discrimination Paper Part I: Interpersonal Reflection

 

After viewing the video, consider the following questions and write your response. Your response should be 4-5 pages and should address each question thoroughly, reflecting an accurate representation of what you have learned in this course. Demonstrate scholarship by utilizing supporting resources to justify your ideas and responses:

 

• What did you learn from the film? What scene or scenes do you think you’ll still remember a month from now and why those scenes?
• Did any part of the film surprise you? Do you think someone with a disability, of a different sexual orientation, an older American or some of a different religion would also find it surprising? Why or why not?
• Both Elliott and her former students talk about whether this exercise should be done with all children. What do you think? If the exercise could be harmful to children, as Elliott suggests, what do you think actual discrimination might do? Use an example, different from the example you used to describe labels, from what you have learned about people with disabilities, older people, sexual minorities, or people of differing religions.
• How can negative and positive labels placed on a group become self-fulfilling prophecies? Use an example from what you have learned about people with disabilities, older people, sexual minorities, or people of differing religions.
• Based on what you have learned in this course, discuss an example (either from the video or from your experiences) that illustrates each of the following statements:
• Dimensions of diversity may be hidden or visible.
• Dimensions of diversity are in a constant state of flux.
• Dimensions of diversity are not always clear-cut or easily defined.

 

Discrimination Paper Part II: Personal Interview

 

For Part II of this assignment, you will have a conversation with someone who you feel may have faced discrimination. Examples include someone with a disability, an older American, someone who is a sexual minority, or someone who lives in a multicultural family. After choosing an individual to interview, explain to this individual what you have seen in the Class Divided program. Invite them to watch the program, or parts of the program, with you. After watching or discussing the program, pose the following questions to the individual. Be sure to explain the reason for your questions and why you have selected them to participate in the interview:

 

• What, if any, discrimination do you experience?
• How have you coped with this situation?
• What do you think needs to change at the cultural level to reduce discrimination?

 

Following your refection (Part I listed above), add 2-3 pages to your paper which addresses the following:

 

• A description of the individual you chose to interview and why. Explain how you went about approaching this individual for the interview.
• What are your observations about the person’s view of discrimination and how it affects his/her daily life?
• Did the interaction with the person change your view of discrimination? If so, explain how the interaction has affected you either positively or negatively. If it did not change your view of discrimination, explain why.
• How well do you think you would cope with discrimination from this person’s perspective?
• Finally, what is the best manner in which to advocate for those facing discrimination? What actions will you change based on what you have learned in this course and how will you serve as an advocate for those individuals who face discrimination?

 

Your final assignment, consisting of both Part I and II, should be approximately 6 -8 pages. Be sure to address each topic listed above and, as appropriate, cite the online course, the textbook, and other credible sources to substantiate the points you are making. For example, when discussing an example of how diversity may be hidden or invisible cite sources, which you have referenced to substantiate the points you are making.

 

 

 

5b. Discussion Question: Working with Multicultural Clients by Sunday, April 17, 2016

 

 

 

Address the following issues, and be sure to respond to you peers in an inclusive, sensitive and respectful manner:

 

 

 

Explore the relationship between appreciating diversity among racial, ethnic, and other minority groups and being an effective counselor. Substantiate your answer using examples.

 

 

 

What types of racial, ethnic, and other minority groups do you think you would work particularly well with? Explain why.

 

 

 

What types of racial, ethnic, and other minority groups do you think you would have difficulty working with? Explain why.

 

 

 

What steps would you like to take in the near future to improve your sensitivity to diverse clients and become an effective counselor?