Course Description:

This course will focus on providing a supportive instructional foundation in multicultural psychology, but will also focus on expanding on your understanding of the self as a multicultural person and as an emerging clinician. Students will gain knowledge of multicultural theory, multicultural competencies, barriers to providing multiculturally competent care, and about the characteristics, strengths, and challenges of many varied majority and minority groups. In accordance with the American Psychological Association’s ethical principle of “justice” as a core principle, we will center our course within this paradigm. 

Nature of Course:

This course has been planned as a fully in-person course for Fall 2021. The class will meet in-person in OD-110 all scheduled days unless otherwise notified. The days where we must meet virtually will be indicated on the schedule. Students will not attend class if they are experiencing illness or any signs/symptoms of COVID-19, they will contact me via email regarding their condition and will attend remotely. Should a student demonstrate serial difficulties with the in-person attendance requirement, and not have a letter from DSS or Student Rights & Responsibilities suggesting that there is a valid reason for being unable to attend in person, they will be contacted by me for an office hours visit where we will discuss their barriers to the physical attendance requirement and attempt to find a solution collaboratively that respects the integrity of the course. I will use D2L for posting syllabi, course communication, course schedule, and gradebook. You should regularly check D2L and the email hosted via D2L for important course information. I also recommend downloading the Brightspace Pulse app in your smartphone’s app store to help you keep track of assignments/dates. In the event of increased incidence and risk of COVID-19 that results in the university moving back to a shelter-in-place mode, the course instruction will transition to fully online. More instructions will be given at that time.

Course Participation:

Owing to the importance of this course and the nature of graduate study this course will follow an inverted classroom format. Students will come to each class with the relevant readings and/or assignments studied and prepared for discussion and exercises. Our aim will be to create an empowering and supportive environment wherein learning, growth, and challenging oneself are fostered but this can only be achieved when we all take ownership in the cultivation of ourselves and this space. We will work from the first day of class on building the cultural norms of this space, and adhering to them through our last day of class. Your preparation outside of class and investment within our class will factor into your final grade. Students will engage with the instructor, peers, and the physical/digital space in a respectful manner at all times. Students are to keep information shared within the class by peers in strict confidence. The instructor will similarly keep information confidential but may consult with other faculty as necessary surrounding shared course content. Attendance/tardiness issues (in-person or online), disruptive electronic device use, disruptive communication, non-adherence to confidentiality, etc. are behaviors that disrupt the learning process. Such behaviors are grounds for dismissal at the discretion of the instructor. Students will be required to follow all campus policy regarding the current phase of our COVID-19 response or they will be asked to leave the class. Failure to comply with this or any other MSU Texas policy is also grounds for possible dismissal from the course. 

University Policies:

“As an MSU student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so.”

As a Midwestern State University student, you have agreed to abide by the University’s academic honesty policy, and Student Honor Creed. For information regarding Midwestern State University’s policies about academic dishonesty, please refer to the current Midwestern State University Student Handbook. The Handbook is also available online. Go to http://students.msutexas.edu/studentaffairs and then click the Student Handbook link. Lack of knowledge of the academic honesty policy is not a reasonable explanation for a violation. Violation of the academic honesty policy will result in a failing grade and being reported to the Dean of Students.

If you have a disability and require reasonable classroom accommodations please register with Disability Support Services within two weeks of the semester beginning. An Accommodation Request Form can be obtained through the Director of Disability Support Services, the ADA Coordinator, at http://students.msutexas.edu/disability/ or may be contacted at (940)397-4140, or 3410 Taft Blvd., Clark Student Center Room 168, or email debra.higginbotham@msutexas.edu. If you require new accommodations at any point throughout the semester, they must be approved by DSS and the instructor must be notified at least one week prior to an exam for new accommodations to be made for that exam. 

Note: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception.

Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters.

We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student.

We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed.

Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, (940) 397-4140.

The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MSUTexas e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

All students seeking a Bachelor's degree from Midwestern State University must satisfy a writing proficiency requirement once they've 1) passed the 6 hours of Communication Core and 2) earned 60 hours. Students may meet this requirement in one of three ways: by passing the Writing Proficiency Exam, passing two Writing Intensive Courses (only one can be in the core), or passing English 2113. If you have any questions about the exam, visit the Writing Proficiency Office website at https://msutexas.edu/academics/wpr, or call 397-4131.

Senate Bill 11 passed by the 84th Texas Legislature allows licensed handgun holders to carry concealed handguns on campus, effective August 1, 2016. Areas excluded from concealed carry are appropriately marked, in accordance with state law. For more information regarding campus carry, please refer to the University’s webpage at https://msutexas.edu/campus-carry/rules-policies.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact MSU Chief of Police at police@msutexas.edu.