CAMPUS MAP
CONTINUING
EDUCATION
STUDENT
CERTIFICATE
PROGRAM
KENNEDY LIBRARY
Cal State LA
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CALIFORNIA STATE
UNIVERSITY, LOS ANGELES
INTERCULTURAL PROFICIENCY PROJECT
I. Description of
the Project
The Intercultural Proficiency Project
(ICP) is a result of a collaboration among three entities: Cal State
L.A. Chapter, American Humanics, Inc., the School of Health and Human
Services, and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. It grew out of a need to
design a curriculum/co-curriculum that prepares our graduates and social
sector professionals to operate in a culturally sensitive manner. The
stated goal is to develop courses/programs that lead to cultural
competence on both a general and a professional level, in collaboration
with professionals employed in social service/youth serving agencies and
local community members. The objectives are:
- To increase student
knowledge/awareness about diverse cultural mores and values.
- To improve student interpersonal and
communication skills with individuals, groups and families from
different cultures.
- To increase knowledge of the variety
of services provided by nonprofit community social service/youth
serving agencies through volunteer participation.
The project received five years funding
from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, June 1, 1996 through September 1,
2001. The final two years of the grant are funded for evaluation and
dissemination. The University will continue to offer the programs
after funding is terminated. Strategies for meeting the objectives are
as follows:
- First year. Develop and offer a
credit certificate program for undergraduate and graduate students
that prepare them for general intercultural competence.
(a) Implement non-traditional teaching strategies such as team
teaching, interactive learning, service-learning, journaling and
computer conferencing.
(b) Involve social service agencies and families in the
development and instruction of the courses.
(c) Provide opportunities for students to volunteer in social
service and youth serving agencies.
(d) Provide opportunities for students to reside with a host
family culturally different from their own.
(e) Provide opportunities for students to critically reflect
on their volunteer and residential experiences; an essential
component of the service-learning model of instruction.
(f) Provide opportunities for agency professionals, host family
members, faculty and students to dialogue on isues related to
becoming culturally proficient.
- Second year. Continue to offer
courses in the credit certificate program supported by the
University. In addition, develop and offer courses/programs for
individuals/groups who are already employed and/or are volunteering
in education, health and social service agencies that will enhance
their effectiveness in dealing with different cultural groups.
- Third Year. Review and refine, as
needed, courses/programs for CSLA students and community services
employees/volunteers to be supported by the University and/or
self-support through the Office of Continuing Education. In
addition, establish a Center for Intercultural Studies what will (a)
raise funds to support its projects, (b) coordinate and present
local, regional and national conferences and workshops, (c) develop
and disseminate instructional materials, and (d) serve as a resource
center for professionals and volunteers in education, health, social
services and businesses.
- Fourth and Fifth Years. Evaluate and
disseminate the results of the project. Develop intercultural case
studies, vignettes and/or scenarios leading to problem
identification and resolution to be programmed for computer access.
In 1998, the Intercultural
Proficiency Project was invited to participate in a new initative
from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation titled, "Building Bridges
between Practice and Knowledge in Nonprofit Management Education."
This is a five-year effort to "help develop more
comprehensive educational programs that respond to the wide range
of management and leadership needs of Third Sector leaders."
March 1998, twenty campuses in the
California State University System were invited to a 1.5-day
statewide conference on intercultural studies, sponsored by the
W.K. Kellogg Foundation. A structure is in place for a CSU
Consortium on Intercultural Studies to review and modify, as
appropriate, best practices shared at the conference statewide.
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