School of Nursing
Course Syllabi
Course Description
Number: HLTH3341
Title: Cultural Diversity in Health and Illness
Credit: 3-0-3
Catalog description: Introduces cross-cultural health assessment and interventions, which increase the cultural sensitivity of health care providers. The diversity of health/illness belief systems and behaviors cross-culturally is presented as well as biological variations and patterns of adaptation to specific environments. Several international health system models are analyzed. Cultural diversity within the United States is emphasized.
Prerequisite(s): Junior Standing
Corequisite(s): None
Textbook Information
Required: Spector, Rachel, E., Cultural Diversity in Health & Illness (6th ed.); Saddle River NJ; Prentice Hall, computer as detailed in ITP choice.
Technology Requirements
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Each CSU student is required to have ready access throughout the semester to a notebook computer that meets the ITP Choice requirements (http://itpchoice.clayton.edu/) for the student's academic program.
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Students must have access to the Internet either through the on-campus local area network or through an Internet Service Provider.
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Students must be proficient with Internet access, WebCT Vista and Microsoft Office and demonstrate competency using web browsers, website navigation, search engines and e-mail communication.
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Contact the HUB for software and connectivity issues; no excuse will be accepted for inability to access the Internet and/or technical difficulties.
Course Outcomes
By the completion of the course, the student should have:
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Developed an understanding of his/her cultural beliefs related to health and illness, and how these influences health practices and attitudes toward the health care practices of people from different cultures.
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Identified values and beliefs about health/wellness and illness in select cultural populations.
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Discussed traditional and non-traditional methods of promoting/maintaining health and treating illness for select cultural groups.
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Identified components of health care systems that positively and negatively impact the health needs of a multicultural society.
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Applied critical thinking concepts to analyze the health needs of individuals of diverse cultural groups.
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Developed knowledge and skills that would promote culturally sensitivity in communication, work relations, health provision and teaching in a multicultural society.
Course Objectives
By the completion of the course, the student should be able to:
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Contrast family and cultural influences on personal health and illness practices of yourself and an individual from a different cultural background.
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Explore personal attitudes, values and beliefs in select cultural groups related to wellness and illness practices.
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Examine whether the American health provider systems meet the health care needs of our multicultural society.
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Complete an in-depth study of health and illness beliefs in a culture different from your own.
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Develop a teaching plan or a plan for the provision of health care for a select cultural group.
Methods of Instruction
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Weekly discussion questions
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Assigned readings
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Interactive learning experiences
Course Requirements
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Courses taught in an online format require students to be self-directed and responsible for meeting deadlines.
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Attendance is mandatory at scheduled on-campus meetings.
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Participation in on-line chats about discussion questions; responses count toward class participation points.
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Students are expected to work effectively in diverse groups and teams to achieve tasks; team projects are outcome-based and generally all members earn the same grade; however individual contribution and peer evaluations will be taken into account.
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This syllabus provides a general plan for this course; the faculty reserve the right to make changes to the syllabus and/or course schedule including but not limited to assignments, time tables, examinations, projects, etc.
Evaluation
| Individual | |
| Cultural project (PowerPoint) | 33 points |
| Participation | 13 points (2 per week) |
| Weekly discussion questions | 13 points (2 per week) |
| Cultural heritage survey | 8 points |
| Learning Team | |
| Health care practice paper | 16.5 points |
| Learning team presentation (PowerPoint) | 16.5 points |
Grading Scale
| 90-100% | A |
| 80-89% | B |
| 70-79% | C |
| 60-69% | D |
| 59% and below | F |
Classroom Policies
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Attendance: Mandatory for scheduled on-campus meetings.
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Communication: WebCT Vista is the official tool for this course and is accessible online from any computer; students are responsible for monitoring e-mail on a regular basis and should direct all communications with faculty and other students through WebCT or Clayton State e-mail.
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Conduct: Students must abide by policies in the University Student Handbook, the Basic Undergraduate Student Responsibilities, and if applicable program handbook; the code of academic integrity will be strictly enforced.
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Electronic devices: Cell phones/pagers must be turned off (or placed on vibrator mode) during class meetings. Permission from individual faculty is necessary before taping a class.
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Mid-term progress report: Mid-term grade will reflect approximately 1/3 of the entire course grade. Based on this grade, students may choose to withdraw from the course and receive a grade of “W”; contact the Registrar for withdrawal procedures.
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Submission: Students are responsible for completion and submission of all course requirements as scheduled in the course calendar. On-line activities not submitted by the due date must be completed within one week for credit; a late penalty will of one point per day applies. Make-up work is at the discretion of the faculty.
To obtain this document in an alternative format, contact the Disability Resource Center.