SOCY 333
SOCIAL AND CULTURAL DIVERSITY
Catalog Entry
SOCY 333. Social and Cultural Diversity.
Three hours lecture (3).
Prerequisites: SOCY 110, or SOCY 121, or permission of instructor.
Provides, through lecture, discussion, and experiential exercises, an understanding of diverse cultures in the United States. Emphasis will be on developing the knowledge, attitudes and skills necessary for full participation in a diverse workplace and a diverse society. This course may be used to meet requirements for the minor in Women’s Studies.
Detailed Description of Content of the Course
What is the role of social science in understanding cultural diversity and interpersonal relations?
the effects of culture
the effects of diversity
the effects of ethnocentrism and cultural relativism
ethnography to discover and analyze the emic (native) point of view and the etic (analytic) point of view
cross-cultural analysis
understanding “the other”
How do attitudes toward culture affect interpersonal relations?
How do attitudes toward groups affect interpersonal relations?
How do types of interethnic relations affect interpersonal relations?
What are variations in cultural patterns? What are ethnographic methods for discerning and analyzing them?
(Ethnographic examples drawn from Appalachian, African-American, Asian, European, Hispanic, Native American, and minority religious groups in the USA.
Types of social characters/kinds of selves
Types of interpersonal relationships
Types of orientations toward time
Types of orientations toward space
Types of relationships with the environment
Child-rearing practices that support different social characters
Ways of seeing/ways of knowing: cross-cultural indigenous epistemologies
Exercises: ethnographic methods for discerning cultural patterns in yourself and others
What are sources of identity?
What is the role of social science—reprise?
“Engaged” social science committed to understanding multiculturalism; “committed to
cultural pluralism and democratic participation”
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
This course will include a variety of instructional strategies:
Goals and Objectives of Course
Having successfully completed this course, the student will:
Assessment Measures
The level of student knowledge will be assessed by tests. Students will be required
to keep a journal of analysis of course materials in which the level of comprehension
and integration of reading material with interactive class activities will be measured.
In addition, an integrative paper will be assigned after each interactive experience.
Application assignments will assess students’ abilities to apply the material to their
own lives and anticipated careers.
Other Course Information
None
Review and Approval
DATE ACTION REVIEWED
February 2009, Dr. Paula Brush, Chair, Department of Sociology