Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2026

Individual & Cultural Diversity (Face-to-Face)

PSY 6620-01

Course: PSY 6620-01
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2026
Department: Psychology
CRN: 33929

Course Description

Students will gain multicultural awareness, knowledge, and skills. This includes, but is not limited to multicultural trends and characteristics of diverse groups.  Students will gain knowledge regarding their own cultural background as well as those who are culturally different than themselves. Students will learn how to incorporate  multicultural frameworks and theories into the practice of therapy. Readings and class  activities will address multiple perspectives teaching students to critically evaluate traditional psychological theories and explore their own biases.

Required Texts

  • American Psychological Association. (2017). Multicultural Guidelines: An Ecological Approach to Context, Identity, and Intersectionality,
  • Hays, P. A. (2022). Addressing Cultural Complexities in Counseling and Clinical Practice: An Intersectional Approach (Fourth Edition). American Psychological Association.
  • Sue, D. W., Sue, D., Neville, H. A., & Smith, L. (2022). Counseling the culturally diverse: Theory and practice (Ninth edition). Wiley.

Learning Outcomes

PWC iii (Individual & Cultural Diversity)
  • Demonstrate an understanding of how their own personal/cultural history, attitudes, and biases may affect how they understand and interact with people different from themselves.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the current theoretical and empirical knowledge base as it relates to addressing diversity in all professional activities including research, training, supervision/consultation, and service.
  • Demonstrate the ability to integrate awareness and knowledge of individual and cultural differences, including intersectionality, in articulating an approach to working effectively with diverse individuals and groups.
  • Demonstrate the ability to work effectively with individuals whose group membership, demographic characteristics, or worldviews differ with their own.

PWC iv (Professional Values, Attitudes, & Behavior)
  • Behave in ways that reflect the values and attitudes of psychology, including integrity, deportment, the integration of science and practice, professional identity, accountability, and concern for the welfare of others.
  • Engage in self-reflection regarding one’s personal and professional functioning; engage in activities to maintain and improve performance, well-being, and professional effectiveness.
  • Actively seek and demonstrate openness and responsiveness to feedback and supervision.

PWC v (Communication & Interpersonal Skills)
  • Develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of individuals, including colleagues, communities, organizations, supervisors, supervisees, and those receiving professional services.
  • Produce and comprehend oral, nonverbal, and written communications that are informative and well-integrated; demonstrate a thorough grasp of professional language and concepts.
  • Manage difficult communication well.

PWC vi (Assessment)
  • Interpret assessment results, following current research and professional standards and guidelines, to inform case conceptualization, classification, and recommendations, while guarding against decision-making biases, distinguishing the aspects of assessment that are subjective from those that are objective.

PWC vii (Intervention)
  • Develop and implement evidence-based intervention plans specific to the service delivery goals informed by the current scientific literature, assessment findings, diversity considerations, and contextual variables. This includes the ability to modify and adapt evidence-based approaches effectively when a clear evidence-base is lacking.

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

For most assignments on Canvas, I will allow late submissions with an automatic 10% deduction per each day it is late. Once an assignment reaches zero points due to late penalties (after 10 days), I will no longer accept it.


In-Class Activities: These cannot be made up for unexcused absences. For approved excused absences (please see my attendance policy), I will provide an equitable makeup opportunity as required by SUU policy.

Course Requirements

Students will be graded on attendance, participation, weekly introspective reading logs, and multiple projects. More details will be discussed at the start of the course.

Percentage | Grade
97-100% | A+
93-96% | A
90-92% | A-
87-89% | B+
83-86% | B
80-82% | B-
70-79% | C
60-69% | D
<60% | F

Course Outline

We will be covering the following topics:
  • Cultural competence and responsiveness
  • Multiple dimensions of multicultural therapy
  • Cultural perspectives and barriers
  • Sociopolitical and social justice dimensions of multicultural therapy
  • Racial, ethnic, cultural identity attitudes
  • Western and non-Western perspectives
  • Impact on our various roles as a psychologists
  • Application of culturally responsive approaches
  • Exploring the ethics of AI use as it relates to this course

*Topics and schedule are subject to change at instructor’s discretion based on course needs. Changes will be posted on Canvas.

Week 1: Introduction, syllabus walk-through, course overview, expectations
Week 2: Assigned readings, discussion, activities, and/or presentations
Week 3: Assigned readings, discussion, activities, and/or presentations
Week 4: Assigned readings, discussion, activities, and/or presentations
Week 5: Assigned readings, discussion, activities, and/or presentations
Week 6: Assigned readings, discussion, activities, and/or presentations
Week 7: Assigned readings, discussion, activities, and/or presentations
Week 8: Assigned readings, discussion, activities, and/or presentations
Week 9: Assigned readings, discussion, activities, and/or presentations
Week 10: Assigned readings, discussion, activities, and/or presentations
Week 11: Assigned readings, discussion, activities, and/or presentations
Week 12: Assigned readings, discussion, activities, and/or presentations
Week 13: Catch up (if needed) / Enjoy your break. 
Week 14: Assigned readings, discussion, activities, and/or presentations
Week 15: Final presentations, activities, and/or processes

Attendance Policy

It is expected that you will attend the course unless an emergency circumstance, illness, or university-approved absence occurs. Please contact your instructor if an unanticipated event occurs and you are unable to attend class. Students are expected to arrive on-time and prepared to discuss the assigned readings. We will discuss this more in detail at the start of the course.

Course Fees

$12 ($4 per credit hour).

Artificial Intelligence (AI) use

The use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools is permitted only when explicitly integrated into the course activity. It is important that your reflections, reactions, and written work be your own. The following uses are not acceptable and constitute academic dishonesty: using AI to draft or generate any portion of an assignment; using AI to summarize readings in place of reading them yourself; and using AI to generate or check citations.Use of generative AI without permission or citation is academic dishonesty.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Religious / Conscience Belief Accommodation

RELIGIOUS / CONSCIENCE BELIEF ACCOMMODATION: In accordance with SUU Policy 6.7 Student Belief Accommodation, students may request, in writing, that their faculty accommodate their sincerely held religious or conscience beliefs. Students should provide their faculty with sufficient advanced notice, if possible within the first five (5) business days of the semester or session, or thereafter with good cause for requesting an accommodation after the first five (5) business days.

Faculty must provide a schedule accommodation or excuse an absence, in any course, for students to observe or participate in religious holidays or an organized activity conducted under the auspices of the student’s religious tradition or religious organization.

In courses that are required for graduation or for an academic major, a faculty member may accommodate a religious or conscience belief by modifying an assignment or examination if its content conflicts with the student’s belief. Faculty may decline the accommodation if it would fundamentally alter the course requirements. If declined, the student may request review by a neutral arbiter using the Belief Accommodation Request Form: https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv&layout_id=5

Questions go to Assistant Provost Jake Johnson at johnsonj@suu.edu.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.