Conversations About Culture: Video and Lesson Plan

This online learning module is designed to facilitate skills for effective cross cultural communication and collaboration. The very important concept of cultural humility is a central focus. Cultural humility entails acknowledging difference, and positioning ourselves as people interested in learning and understanding. Cultural humility is particularly relevant to a trauma-informed, human-rights-based approach to social work practice; it underscores the dignity and value of the individual and empowers the client as expert in their experience.

This module can be used as a resource for educators, students planning to study abroad or engage in international field work, faculty engaged in cross-cultural research and partnerships, human service practitioners, educators, and any other interested parties.  

Because the process of self-reflection is so important for the development of cultural humility, sample reflection exercises are provided.  

1. Define the concept of cultural humility;
2. Discuss the difference between cultural competence and cultural humility;
3. Highlight the role cultural humility plays in social work practice;
4. Explore the dynamics of difference;
5. Reflect on the knowledge, skills, and attitudes which are associated with becoming culturally self-aware and valuing diversity;
   
6. Increase awareness of unconscious cultural stereotypes, and the impact of these on service recipients.

1. Lecture Sources – Videos; Readings
2. Reflective Exercises
3. Self-Assessment Tools
4. Additional Resources
5. References

Instructors may want to give students a pre-test and post-test to assess their knowledge attainment. Alternately, students can be asked to demonstrate learning through participation in role play or self-reflection exercises.

Richards-Desai, S., Lewis, L. (2016) Conversations about Culture: The Importance of Cultural Humility [Video file]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/cVmOXVIF8wc.

Elze, D. (2016, June 8). Introduction to Cultural Competence [Video file]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/-4uhbv9hWnI.

Elze, D. (2016, June 8). Attribution Theory: Strategies for Engaging Patients/Clients and Avoiding Inaccurate Assumptions [Video file]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/mOTac0bS_2A. 

• Describe how personal narrative and self-reflection are beneficial in developing cultural humility.
• One theme in the module is a contrast between cultural competence and cultural humility. In your own words, describe these concepts and how you see them relating to one another.
• How do you react to the idea of continually learning about your clients’ backgrounds and the systemic factors that oppress populations? How is this reflected in social work professional development?
• Think about an example from field in which you became aware of internal reactions to difference. Pay attention to what you felt and did. Has the module shared information that could help to process some of these events?
• There are different voices and experiences represented in the module. Which phrases or thoughts stood out to you? Is there anything you would say reflects your own ideas? What would you disagree with?

• Describe a scenario in which you (or someone that you know) experienced cultural humility (or lack thereof) in an interpersonal exchange. Consider the cultural context in which this occurred, and reflect on and evaluate your response.
• What types of actions or competencies reveal cultural humility to you?
• One way that I can recognize and develop cultural humility in myself is to...
• One time that I witnessed/experienced genuine cultural humility was...
• Cultural humility can directly benefit me, my colleagues, and clients, because...

A number of skills contribute to the development of cultural competency. These include the ability to: 1) articulate one’s perspective respectfully and clearly; 2) question one’s own perspective; 3) demonstrate awareness of one’s own biases; 4) manage personal biases and stereotypes; and, 5) personalize observations and rephrase using “I” statements.

Consider the fourteen personal competencies identified by Hogan (2007). Rate yourself on a scale of 1 (low) to 5 (high) in each of these areas. Add up the points: 617-70=high; 51-60=moderate, 0-50 needs more practice.

Describe your personal reaction to this self-assessment exercise.

How will you will focus your own personal and professional development to develop these skills further? 

(Adapted from Hogan, 2013)

Fisher-Borne, M., Cain, J. M. & Martin, S. L. (2015). From mastery to accountability: Cultural humility as an alternative to cultural competence.  Social Work Education, 34(2), 165-181. Retrieved from http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02615479.2014.977244.

Hogan, M. (2013). Four skills of cultural diversity competence: A process for understanding and practice (4th Ed.). Belmont, CA: Thomson-Brooks/Cole. 

Working as Allies (2010): Report from project about experiences and practices of people working as allies of indigenous peoples and other marginalized groups in North America.  This report describes qualities for being ally, and working cross-culturally. Retrieved from http://www.awea.org.nz/allies_north_america

National Association of Social Workers (n.d.). Standards and indicators for cultural competence in social work practice, Retrieved fromhttps://www.socialworkers.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=PonPTDEBrn4%3D&portalid=0.

Yan, M. C. (2008). Exploring cultural tensions in cross-cultural social work practice. Social Work. Vol 53 Issue 4, 317-328. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Miu_Chung_Yan/publication/23318354_Exploring_cultural_tensions_in_cross-cultural_social_work_practice/links/55b6522f08aed621de032fdf.pdf.

Goodman, L.A., Thomas, K.A., Serrata, J.V., Lippy, C., Nnawulezi, N., Ghanbarpour, S., Macy, R., Sullivan, C. & Bair-Merritt, M.A. (2017). Power through partnerships: A CBPR toolkit for domestic violence researchers. National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, Harrisburg, PA. Retrieved from https://cbprtoolkit.org.  Sections two and three list reasons researcher training make authentic community engagement challenging. Includes questions for self-reflection & videos of researchers reflecting on their experiences.

Cultural Humility: People, Principles and Practices (4-part documentary): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaSHLbS1V4w

USDHHS Multi-Cultural Resources for Health Information: https://sis.nlm.nih.gov/outreach/multicultural.html

Gray, M. (2005). Dilemmas of international social work: Paradoxical processes in indigenization, universalism and imperialism. International Journal of Social Welfare, 14, 231-238.

Hogan, M. (2013). Four skills of cultural diversity competence: A process for understanding and practice (4th Ed.). Belmont, CA: Thomson-Brooks/Cole. Adapted with permission.