HUM 470 Cultural Pluralism
WEST COAST UNIVERSITY
Course Syllabus
COURSE TITLE:
COURSE NUMBER:
COURSE PREREQUISITE:
CULTURAL PLURALISM
HUM 470
SOCY 280 or equivalent
INSTRUCTOR NAME:
Jerry Biggerstaff
jbiggerstaff@westcoastuniversity.edu
e3coach@mac.com
(949) 422-0111
DATE:
Summer Term, 2010 (8/30 – 10/29)
CREDIT HOURS:
3 semester credits/5 contact hours/week (Lecture)/ 45 hours
per week
9 week term
COURSE LENGTH:
INSTITUTIONAL MISSION:
West Coast University is a private, nonsectarian, coeducational institution. The mission of the
University is to ensure provision of an innovative and relevant learning environment and to
support the personal and professional development of adult learners in acquiring lifelong critical
thinking and analytical skills.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Compares varied cultural traditions among groups of people in a given society who are
simultaneously interdependent and autonomous. Emphasis on shared socioeconomic and political
systems of people in a society and an appreciation of the distinct cultural practices among groups
who coexist within that society. Prerequisite: SOCY 280 or the equivalent.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Upon completion of this course students should be able to:
1. Discuss varied cultural traditions among groups of people in a given society who are
simultaneously independent and autonomous,
2. Develop an appreciation of distinct cultural practices among groups who coexist
within a society.
3. Define diversity and its components
4. Examine biases, stereotypes, myths and facts that surround the area of cultural
diversity
5. Compare the cultural composition of the US today to projections for the future
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HUM 470 Cultural Pluralism
6. Identify personal beliefs and attitudes related to diversity
7. Identify the characteristics of cultural competence in the health care setting
8. Identify cultural practices that may influence health care for various populations
9. Recognize cultural issues that must be considered in meeting needs of patients,
students, families
10. Describe religious issues and beliefs that should be considered in communication
11. Identify issues of gender and relationship diversity
12. Outline techniques to work effectively with cultural diversity amongst people
13. Accept and appreciate differences amongst different populations
REQUIRED TEXT:
Koppelman, K., & Goodhart, L. (2008). Understanding human differences:
Multicultural education for a diverse America (2nd). New York: Pearson.
SUPPLEMENTARY READINGS:
Berger, R. (2002). Many globalizations: Cultural diversity in the contemporary world.
New York: Oxford University Press.
Panekh, N. (2000). Rethinking multiculturalism: Cultural diversity and political theory.
Boston: Harvard University Press.
TEACHING STRATEGIES:
This course is presented in lecture fashion (didactic) with the use of learning exercises, group
discussions, debates, group sharing of cultural experiences and backgrounds, with an emphasis
on case study applications (discovery learning).
EVALUATION METHODS / GRADING:
Point Values:
Quizzes
Midterm Exam
Final Exam
Fieldtrip/Writing Project
Total
30%
30%
30%
10%
100%
ATTENDANCE:
To maintain satisfactory attendance, students should not be absent for more than 30.00% of the
class. Absences in excess of 30.00% may lead to dismissal from the class and the student may
be required to repeat the class. Arriving after 12:30 pm is counted as a tardy and counts as 1/3
of an absence (tardy 3 times = 1 full absence). Also, returning late from a break counts as 1
tardy. Leaving before the end of class is counted as absence from class.
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HUM 470 Cultural Pluralism
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:
In its commitment to academic honesty and accurate assessment of student work, West Coast
University uses a plagiarism-detection web-service to help prevent plagiarism. Consequently,
instructors reserve the right to submit student assignments to the website to check for similarities
between student submissions and the internet, various research databases, and the website’s
database of previous student submissions.
Students may be required to electronically submit their work to the instructor or to the website.
By taking WCU courses, students agree that all assignments are subject to plagiarism detection
processes and academic honesty policies. Assignments submitted to the website by the student
or instructor will become part of the service’s database and will be used for plagiarism
prevention and detection. Student papers, however, will remain the intellectual property of the
authors.
COURSE COMPLETION REQUIREMENTS:
Students must achieve a passing grade of C or above, submit all required exercises and projects,
complete all required quizzes and examinations, and meet the standards of the school attendance
policy.
At the end of each course, each student is assigned a final grade as follows:
Grade
A
Points
4
WCU Numerical Score
90-100
B
3
80-89
C
2
70-79
D
1
60-69
F
0
59 and below
TC
N/A
Transfer Credit
W
N/A
Withdrawal
I
N/A
Incomplete
CR
N/A
Credit for Challenge
exams= 75% passing
MAKE UP WORK POLICY:
Students are required to make up all assignments and work missed as a result of absences. The
instructor may assign additional outside make-up work to be completed for each absence.
Arrangements to take tests and/or quizzes missed because of an absence or tardy can only be
made with the instructor’s approval. Hours of make-up work cannot be accepted as hours of
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HUM 470 Cultural Pluralism
class attendance. All make up work must be completed by the first class meeting after the
absence. No exceptions!
CLASSROOM POLICIES:
 To maintain satisfactory attendance, students should not be absent for more than 30.00%
of the class. Absences in excess of 30.00% of any class may lead to dismissal from the
class, and the student may be required to repeat the class.
Students who are required to participate in military duties and are absent from their
scheduled classes will not be penalized. Students must provide the Academic Dean with
written documentation verifying the required military leave and length of time requested.

Students are expected to dress professionally during class time, as they will in their future
roles and positions in health care administration.

A student who acts in an unethical or unprofessional manner on a test or an assignment
will receive a grade of “O” for that test or assignment. A second incident of unethical or
unprofessional behavior may result in administrative termination from the college.

No children are allowed in class or unattended on campus.

Use of cell phones in the classroom during class time is not allowed and if they are used
or go off in class the faculty member may confiscate them for the remainder of the class
and report the behavior to the Dean.
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY:
All student work is to be submitted to faculty and represent the student’s original work.
All students are encouraged to follow the APA, 5th edition guidelines. APA workshops will be
scheduled for students who are new to the format. If other sources are used as references, each
source must be identified.
The University considers plagiarism and falsification of documents, including documents
submitted to the University for other than academic work, a serious matter that may result in the
following sanctions: Please refer to your academic handbook for full review.
DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR:
Behavior that persistently or grossly interferes with classroom activities is considered disruptive
behavior and may be subject to disciplinary action. Such behavior inhibits other students' ability
to learn and instructors' ability to teach. A student responsible for disruptive behavior may be
required to leave class pending discussion and resolution of the problem and may be reported to
the Office of the Dean/Director or Academic Dean.
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HUM 470 Cultural Pluralism
ACADEMIC ACCOMMODATIONS: Any student requesting academic accommodations
based on a verified disability is required to provide documentation to, and to register with, the
Director of Student Services at least six weeks prior to his/her first class start, or as soon as is
reasonable based on the date of enrollment. This documentation will be reviewed and
appropriate reasonable accommodations will be determined. A letter of verification will be
provided to the student explaining the reasonable accommodation granted. Please be sure the
letter is delivered to your instructors at the beginning of each class so that they may appropriately
assist you.
HUM 470 CULTURAL PLURALISM
Essentials for Associate/Baccalaureate Education in Professional Nursing Practice
The purpose of this section of the syllabus is to guide the student in understanding how the
AACN 9 Essentials are incorporated into their education and to provide guidance to them in
developing their individual portfolios.
The Essentials that are met in HUM 470 include the following:
Essential 1: Liberal Education
Outcome 2 – Synthesize theories and concepts from liberal education to build an
understanding of the human experience
Outcome 5 – Apply knowledge of social and cultural factors to the care of diverse
populations

Course chapters cover topics and theories related to religious freedom,
heterosexism, sexism, multiculturalism, and diversity.
Outcome 8 – Demonstrate tolerance for the ambiguity and unpredictability of the world
and its effect on the healthcare system

Tolerance for ambiguity and unpredictability of the world is a common theme in
course topics by embracing different world views. Experiences of people of color
in America, cultural pluralism for a diverse society, creating unity for a diverse
America are some chapters covered in class.
Essential 5: Healthcare Policy, Finance, and Regulatory Environments
Outcome 6 – Explore the impact of socio-cultural, economic, legal, and political factors
influencing healthcare delivery and practice
Outcome 8 – Discuss the implications of healthcare policy on issues of access, equity,
affordability, and social justice in healthcare delivery
Outcome 9 – Use an ethical framework to evaluate the impact of social policies on health
care, especially for vulnerable populations
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HUM 470 Cultural Pluralism

Outcomes are met through discussions, testing, and project presentations about
understanding self and others, prejudice, pluralism in society and schools, and
how these experiences can affect healthcare, politics, policy, and access to
healthcare, and healthcare outcomes.
Essential 6: Interprofessional Communication and Collaboration for Improving Patient
Health Outcomes
Outcome 3 – Incorporate effective communication techniques, including negotiation and
conflict resolution, to produce positive professional working relationships

Chapter 3 of the text discusses communication, conflict, and conflict resolution.
Essential 8: Professionalism and Professional Values
Outcome 6 – Reflect on one’s own beliefs and values as they relate to professional
practice

Every assignment and reading in the course asks for students to reflect on their
personal biases and cultural backgrounds. This helps them to understand
themselves and see others’ points of view.
Essential 9: Liberal Education
Outcome 7 – Provide appropriate patient teaching that reflects developmental stage, age,
culture, spirituality, patient preferences, and health literacy considerations to foster
patient engagement in their care

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By learning about “abelism” and disabilities, religion, oppressive relationships,
the influence of race and gender, students can better understand and relate to
patients. Learning about values and theories that support and promote diversity,
students can be more effective caregivers.
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WCU HUM 470 Cultural Pluralism
COURSE OUTLINE
HUM 470
W
ee
k
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Chapter and Content
Quiz
1) Understanding Ourselves and Others:
Clarifying Values and Languages
2) Understanding Prejudice and its causes
3) Communication, Conflict, and Conflict
Resolution
4) Immigrants and Oppression: The Paradox of
Nativism in a Nation of Immigrants
Guest Speaker: Dr. Miriam Kahan, Academic
Dean talks about cultural influences on
communication
5) Race and Oppression: The experiences of
People of Color in America
Assignments
Read for Next Week
Ch 1
Chapters 1, 2 & 3
Ch 2 & 3
Chapters 4
Ch 4
Chapters 5 & 6
Ch 5 & 6
Prepare for the Midterm Exam
**Field Trip Choice DUE**
6) Religion and Oppression: The Struggle for
Religious Freedom
***Midterm Exam*** Chapters 1 - 6
Offset for Fieldtrip
7) Rejecting Oppressive relationships: The Logic
of Cultural Pluralism for a diverse society
8) Racism: Confronting a Legacy of White
Domination of America
9) Sexism: Where the personal becomes political
10) Heterosexism: Transforming Homosexuality
from deviant to different
11) Cultural Classism: Myths and Misperceptions
about poverty
Chapters 7 & 8
Ch 7 & 8
Chapters 9 & 10
Ch 9 & 10
Chapters 11 & 12
** PAPERS DUE**
Ch 11 & 12
Prepare for the Final Exam
12) Abelism: Disability does not mean inability
9
***Final Exam*** Chapters 7 - 12
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