Course Syllabus
HR 5593 - Multicultural Counseling
Contact Information
Course Details
For a list of course activities, scroll to the bottom of this page.
Course Description
Diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice are significant current topics in mental health and beyond. This online course emphasizes theory and methods for developing multicultural counseling competency and promoting social justice in clinical mental health counseling practice. The ethics of multicultural counseling and social justice will be addressed. Various social justice and multicultural counseling approaches will be explored, as will strategies for integrating these into mental health counseling. Concepts and skills will be studied through reading, online discussions, videos, and written assignments.
Course Prerequisites
None
Course Materials
- Sue, D.W. & Sue, D. (2019). Counseling the culturally diverse: Theory and practice (8th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley. ISBN 978-1-119-44824-2
- Myers, V.A. (2013). What if I say the wrong thing? 25 habits for culturally effective people. Chicago: ABA Publishing. ISBN 978-1-61438-971-2
- Multicultural and Social Justice Counseling Competencies
Grades
Breakdown
| Activity | Description | Percentage of Points |
|---|---|---|
| Participation | Synchronous Live Sessions | 10% |
| Discussions | Asynchronous weekly discussion topics | 40% |
| Cultural Immersion Paper | Written assignment that allows you to explore a culture different from your own | 20% |
| Final Exam | Multiple Choice and Essay Exam | 30% |
| Total | 100% |
Scale
| Percentage | Letter Grade |
|---|---|
| 90–100% | A |
| 80–89% | B |
| 70–79% | C |
| 60–69% | D |
| Below 60% | F |
Course Components
Participation
Participation points will be given each week for attending the Live Sessions.
Attendance/participation in the Live Session is part of the grade mix. If you are unable to attend in real-time, be sure to watch the recording, summarize it, and turn that summary in on the Live Session page.
Discussions
Every week, you will have a discussion board assignment to complete. You will respond to the post by 11:59 p.m. Central on Friday and respond to two of your classmates' posts by 11:59 p.m. Central on Sunday of that Module week.
Note: As always, be respectful of others' reflections and ideas. A respectful debate can be an avenue for deeper reflection and learning. However, this can also be accomplished through staying focused on your own experience, speaking your "truth," and maintaining a conversational tone versus an adversarial one. That is, this is an exercise in sharing your experience/ideas and learning from others' reactions and perspectives. It is a practice of seeing the multiple perspectives and "truths" that exist in others, not proving which version of "truth" is the right one. Disrespectful or inappropriate discussion posts may result in grade penalties, removal from the course, or academic discipline.
Cultural Immersion Paper
For this group assignment, you will choose a cultural experience of those who are culturally different from you (e.g. consider “culture” broadly to include domains such as religion/spirituality, economic class, sexuality/gender (e.g., LGBTQI), race/ethnicity, country of origin, language/geography, traditions/rituals, etc.).
You will be divided into groups based on shared interest in cultural groups different from your own.
After attending the event, you will write a group paper combining your experiences.
Final Exam
The exam consists of two parts:
- Part I is a 50-item multiple choice exam
- Part II is a 3-question essay portion of the exam
Course Policies
Communication
My preferred way of communication is via my campus email, as it makes it easier to review and reply back. I typically respond within 24 to 48 hours Monday through Friday. I do not check my emails after 7:00 pm CT or during the weekends.
My students typically addressed me as Dr. Makri, Dr. M., or Dr. Stella. Our interactions with others are of utmost importance so please make sure to communicate your questions, concerns, or feedback in a respectful, professional, and kind manner. I am a strong believer that effective communication is key to building positive and strong relationships.
Feedback
Most assignments (depending on the length and number of students in the classroom) will be returned to you with feedback within a week of submission.
Late Policy
Late submissions will be accepted without penalty as long as I am informed within 48 hours prior to the due date. For submissions without notification prior to the deadline, a 10% late submission deduction will be applied for every day that the paper is late, up to 4 days. After the 4th day, a 50% deduction will be applied.
Artificial Intelligence
Note: This is not a campus-wide policy and only applies to this course. This policy may change, with prior notice, to reflect developments in the technology and any usage that impacts the course curriculum and objectives.
Many of you may be aware of the increasing notoriety of artificial intelligence tools, like ChatGPT, used in higher education and other areas. Although AI has many positive and creative uses in higher education, it can also be used in more dishonest and nefarious ways. I have given these tools much thought lately and would like to lay out my expectations for you in this class:
- Intellectual honesty is vital to an academic community and for my fair evaluation of your work. All work submitted in this course must be your own, completed in accordance with the University’s academic regulations.You may not engage in unauthorized collaboration or make use of ChatGPT or other AI composition software. Students must obtain permission from me before using AI composition software (like ChatGPT) for any assignments in this course. Using these tools without my permission puts your academic integrity at risk.
- I will not accept any assignments (essays, discussion posts, reflective essays) or midterm essay answers, being entirely generated by AI tools (like ChatGPT).
- You may use such tools as research to provide you with information—or to prepare for an exam, but I will expect you to cite it as a source (or not use direct quotations). I expect you to balance the use of direct quotes with your own, original content. You are expected to include a disclosure statement at the end of your assignment describing which AI tool you used and how you used it. For example, "ChatGPT was used to draft about 50 percent of this paper and to provide revision assistance. AI-produced content was edited for accuracy and style."
- Failing to cite a direct quote or source of information can be considered an academic integrity violation - and this will include AI-generated content.
If you are considering exploring or using AI-generated content in this course, I encourage you to be thoughtful and carefully gauge how it is used. Ultimately, you are responsible for the content you submit in this course. This is an exciting time as technology continues to evolve and impact your education—please be wise!
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the most common form of academic misconduct at OU. There is basically no college-level assignment that can be satisfactorily completed by copying. OU's basic assumption about writing is that all written assignments show the student's own understanding in the student's own words. That means all writing assignments, in class or out, are assumed to be composed entirely of words generated (not simply found) by the student, except where words written by someone else are specifically marked as such with proper citation. Including other people's words in your paper is helpful when you do it honestly and correctly. When you don't, it's plagiarism.
For more information about plagiarism, watch this video and then take this short course offered by University Libraries.
University Academic Policies and Student Support
Land Acknowledgement
Long before the University of Oklahoma was established, the land on which the University now resides was the traditional home of the “Hasinais” Caddo Nation and “Kirikirʔi:s” Wichita & Affiliated Tribes.
We acknowledge this territory once also served as a hunting ground, trade exchange point, and migration route for the Apache, Comanche, Kiowa and Osage nations. Today, 39 tribal nations dwell in the state of Oklahoma as a result of settler and colonial policies that were designed to assimilate Native people.
The University of Oklahoma recognizes the historical connection our university has with its indigenous community. We acknowledge, honor and respect the diverse Indigenous peoples connected to this land. We fully recognize, support and advocate for the sovereign rights of all of Oklahoma’s 39 tribal nations. This acknowledgment is aligned with our university’s core value of creating a diverse and inclusive community. It is an institutional responsibility to recognize and acknowledge the people, culture and history that make up our entire OU Community.
Course Catalog
Search the OU Course Catalog.
Student Handbook
Please familiarize yourself with the OU Student Handbook.
Student Support Services
OU offers a variety of services to support students. For more information, please refer to the Student Support Module in your Orientation course.
Online Library
Access digital materials and other resources at OU Libraries.
Copyright Statement and Privacy Information
Sessions of this course may be recorded or live-streamed. These recordings are the intellectual property of the individual faculty member and may not be shared or reproduced without the explicit, written consent of the faculty member. In addition, privacy rights of others such as students, guest lecturers, and providers of copyrighted material displayed in the recording may be of concern. Students may not share any course recordings with individuals not enrolled in the class or upload them to any other online environment.
Academic Integrity
As a member of the OU community, it is your responsibility to protect your educational investment by knowing and following the rules. The Student Code is available from the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, and is contained in the Student's Guide to Academic Integrity.
Academic honesty is incredibly important within this course. Cheating is strictly prohibited at the University of Oklahoma, because it devalues the degree you are working hard to get. Should you know of someone else engaging in academic misconduct, please report it to your instructor or directly to the Office of Academic Integrity. Your instructor has a professional obligation to report academic misconduct.
In addition to the course conduct policies outlined by your professor in the Course Syllabus in the online classroom, please review the Graduate Student Handbook.
Religious Observance
It is the policy of the University to excuse the absences of students that result from religious observances and to reschedule examinations and additional required classwork that may fall on religious holidays, without penalty. [See Faculty Handbook 3.15.2].
Reasonable Accommodation for Disabilities
The Accessibility and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) is committed to supporting students with disabilities to ensure that they are able to enjoy equal access to all components of their education. This includes your academics, housing, and community events. Please review OU's Accessibility Policy.
If you are experiencing a disability, a mental/medical health condition that has a significant impact on one or more life functions, you can receive accommodations to provide equal access. Possible disabilities include but are not limited to learning disabilities, AD(H)D, mental health, and chronic health. Additionally, we support students with temporary medical conditions (broken wrist, shoulder surgery, etc.) and pregnancy.
To discuss potential accommodations, please contact the ADRC at 730 College Avenue, (phone) 405-325-3852, or adrc@ou.edu.
Title IX Resources
Anyone who has been impacted by gender-based violence, including dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, harassment, and sexual assault, deserves access to resources so that they are supported personally and academically.
The University of Oklahoma is committed to offering resources to those impacted, including: speaking with someone confidentially about your options, medical attention, counseling, reporting, academic support, and safety plans. If you would like to speak with someone confidentially, please contact OU Advocates (available 24/7 at 405-615-0013) or another confidential resource (see "Can I make an anonymous report?").
You may also choose to report gender-based violence and discrimination through other means, including by contacting the Institutional Equity Office (ieo@ou.edu, 405-325-3546) or the police (911).
Because the University of Oklahoma is committed to the safety of you and other students, I, as well as other faculty, Graduate Assistants, and Teaching Assistants, are mandatory reporters. This means that we are obligated to report gender-based violence that has been disclosed to us to the Institutional Equity Office. This includes disclosures that occur in class discussions, writing assignments, discussion boards, emails, and during Student/Office Hours.
For more information, please visit the Institutional Equity Office.
Adjustments for Pregnancy/Childbirth Related Issues
Should you need modifications or adjustments to your course requirements because of documented pregnancy-related or childbirth-related issues, please contact me as soon as possible to discuss your options. Generally, modifications will be made where medically necessary and similar in scope to accommodations based on temporary disability. Learn more about the rights of pregnant and parenting students by consulting the FAQ sheets provided by the Institutional Equity Office.
Mental Health Support Services
If you are experiencing any mental health issues that are impacting your academic performance, counseling is available at the University Counseling Center (UCC). The Center is located on the second floor of the Goddard Health Center, at 620 Elm Rm. 201, Norman, OK 73019. To schedule an appointment, call 405-325-2911. For more information, please visit the University Counseling Center.
Final Exam Preparation Period
Pre-finals week will be defined as the seven calendar days before the first day of finals. Faculty may cover new course material throughout this week. For specific provisions of the policy please refer to OU's Final Exam Preparation Period policy.
Required Policies for Students On Campus
Emergency Protocol
During an emergency, there are official university procedures that will maximize your safety.
Severe Weather: If you receive an OU Alert to seek refuge or hear a tornado siren that signals severe weather:
- Look for severe weather refuge location maps located inside most OU buildings near the entrances
- Seek refuge inside a building. Do not leave one building to seek shelter in another building that you deem safer. If outside, get into the nearest building.
- Go to the building’s severe weather refuge location. If you do not know where that is, go to the lowest level possible and seek refuge in an innermost room. Avoid outside doors and windows.
- Get in, Get Down, Cover Up.
- Wait for official notice to resume normal activities.
Additional Weather Safety Information is available through the Department of Campus Safety.
Severe Weather Preparedness Video
Armed Subject/Campus Intruder
If you receive an OU Alert to shelter-in-place due to an active shooter or armed intruder situation or you hear what you perceive to be gunshots:
- Avoid: If you believe you can get out of the area without encountering the armed individual, move quickly towards the nearest building exit, move away from the building, and call 911.
- Deny: If you cannot flee, move to an area that can be locked or barricaded, turn off lights, silence devices, spread out, and formulate a plan of attack if the shooter enters the room.
- Defend: As a last resort fight to defend yourself. For more information, visit:
OU's Emergency Preparedness site
Shots Fire on Campus Procedure
Fire Alarm/General Emergency
If you receive an OU Alert that there is danger inside or near the building, or the fire alarm inside the building activates:
- Leave the building. Do not use the elevators.
- Know at least two building exits
- Assist those that may need help
- Proceed to the emergency assembly area
- Once safely outside, Notify first responders of anyone that may still be inside the building due to mobility issues.
- Wait for official notice before attempting to re-enter the building.
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|