LAR 397 offered next semester as cultural competency, apstone for students
Central Michigan University students can enroll in a capstone course next semester to complete a program that focuses on cultures in and outside the United States.
LAR 397 is a one-credit course to fulfill the last requirement for a cultural competency program. The main purpose is to give students interested in learning about different cultures beyond the required credit, said Multicultural Program Director Ulana Klymyshyn.
“It would be a notation on their transcripts that says they have taken a range of courses on different cultures and identifying them as being culturally competent,” Klymyshyn said.
The definition of a culturally competent person is one who is aware of cultures, has information about a range of cultures, and has the skills to interact and work with people of a cultural backgrounds different than their own, Klymyshyn said.
“This is awareness, knowledge and skills,” she said.
Students also should have knowledge about the kind of power relationships underlie interactions and treatment of people of different backgrounds in the United States and other countries, Klymyshyn said.
The competency
There are four requirements students must fulfill for the cultural competency program, and some of the required classes can count as double courses.
Students can take ANT 101 or SOC 101: Social Justice in a Global Society. The courses are three credits. Klymyshyn said they are foundation courses as a way to introduce students to a particular topic.
“They’re cross-listed courses, and students can’t get credit for both,” she said.
The second requirement is nine credit hours on cultures within the United States.
The third requirement is a study of global cultures outside the United States, which can be up to seven credit hours. This includes taking classes in religion, a foreign language and anything else applicable.
The fourth requirement is the one-credit-hour capstone course, which requires students to hand in a portfolio of reflection papers on 12 different event or activities, as well as take a diversity self-assessment.
Klymyshyn said students cannot attend that many activities all at once, so the papers should be from over a period of time at CMU.
Students need permission from Klymyshyn before registering for the course.
Denise Green, associate vice president for Institutional Diversity, said the Cultural Competency program is a necessary asset to CMU and the students.
The course provides students with an extra boost in the job market, making students more culturally open to their future employers.
Green also said the skill of knowing about diverse cultures is very relevant, especially as a CMU graduate.
