Engaging Diversity (CO1006Z)

Content

People have always expressed a small set of needs and concerns related to being valued, to belonging, and with respect to future happiness. However, we each express these needs according to our life’s particular circumstances. Counsellors must therefore be able to hold unity and diversity in tension. While The Human Condition (CO1004Z) speaks of unity this unit engages diversity. As such, you will be introduced to how various forms of diversity influence counselling. Specifically, issues of age, class, culture, indigeneity, disability, sexuality/gender, neurodiversity, and giftedness will be considered. Our hope is that by engaging diversity you will develop empathetic and effective ways to work alongside a variety of clients.

Learning outcomes

Unit sequence

Offering: This unit is to be taught in year 1, semester 2 (term 3). Prerequisites: NA Prohibited combinations: NA

Pedagogy

Transformative learning In practice: It is important that counselling students discover that the world is a complex place. To this end students now have the opportunity to confront “uncomfortable truths” about themselves and the world. Opportunity is then provided to critically reflect upon narrowly held ways of being. This is achieved through the provision of online modules in which personal reflections play an important role. During online seminars, or a face-to-face intensive, students are given the opportunity to undertake corporate critical reflection which is a powerful tool for personal growth. Assessments are designed to demonstrate a student’s personal growth towards holding truth provisionally, while also demonstrating an increased capacity for empathy, justice, and creative tolerance.

Indicative Bibliography

1. Assunta Zanetti, M., Gualdi, G., & Cascianelli, M. (2020). Understanding giftedness: A guide for parents and educators. Routledge.
2. Erikson, E. (1963). Childhood and society. Paladin.
3. Heaven, P. (2001). The social psychology of adolescence. Palgrave.
4. Liu, W. (Ed.; 2013). The Oxford handbook of social class in counseling. Oxford Academic.
5. Martino, M. (1977). Emergence: A transexual autobiography. Crown Publishers Inc.
6. Pedersen, P., Lonner, W., Draguns, J., Trimble, J., & Scharron-del Rio, M. (Eds.). (2015). Counselling across cultures (7th edition). Sage.
   
7. Schott, E. (2021). LGBTQI Workbook for CBT. Routledge.
8. Simone, R. (2010). Aspergirls: Empowering females with Asperger syndrome. Jessica Kingsley Publications.
9. Stewart, S., Moodley, R., & Hyatt, A. (2019). Indigenous cultures and mental health counselling. Routledge.
10. Wilson, S. (2021). Disability, counselling and psychotherapy. Palgrave.

Assessment