Course Title: Work effectively with culturally diverse clients and co-workers
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term2 2014
Course Code: EMPL5965C
Course Title: Work effectively with culturally diverse clients and co-workers
School: 360T Education
Campus: City Campus
Program: C4326 - Certificate IV in Education Support
Course Contact : Soosan Kian
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 9183
Course Contact Email:soosan.kian@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Fiona Dean
fions.dean@rmit.edu.au
9925
Robyn Blaikie
robyn.blaikie@rmit.edu.au
99254838
Nominal Hours: 20
Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.
Pre-requisites and Co-requisites
No specific pre-requisite and co-requisite.
Course Description
This course deals with the cultural awareness required for effective communication and cooperation with persons of diverse cultures.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
HLTHIR403C Work effectively with culturally diverse clients and co-workers |
Element: |
4. Resolve cross-cultural misunderstandings |
Performance Criteria: |
4.1 Identify issues that may cause conflict |
Element: |
1. Reflect cultural awareness in work practice |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 Demonstrate awareness of culture as a factor in all human behaviour by using culturally appropriate work practices |
Element: |
2. Accept cultural diversity as a basis for effective work place and professional relationships |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 Show respect for cultural diversity in all communication and interactions with co-workers, colleagues and clients |
Element: |
3. Communicate effectively with culturally diverse persons |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Show respect for cultural diversity in all communication with clients, families, staff and others |
Learning Outcomes
Learning outcomes for the unit are to develop the cultural awareness required for effective communication and cooperation with persons of diverse cultures. Application of this unit should be contextualised to reflect any requirements, issues and practices specific to each workplace. On successful completion of this course, you will have developed and applied the skills and knowledge required to demonstrate your competency in the above elements.
Details of Learning Activities
The student learning experience will be facilitated through participation in a range of activities: 

Group discussion 

Research assignments

Guest speakers

Oral and/or written questions on "What if?" scenarios

Realistic simulations and role play
Practical demonstrations and direct observation of actual work and simulated work practice
Oral Presentations
Individual and group projects - Completing the projects will include negotiated independent study time and practical work relevant to the unit of competency. 

Work placement
Your program consists of a combination of learning activities through a range of delivery methods including: face to face teaching, online activities and Directed Study and you are expected to participate in professional placement. You work independently to complete Directed Study, however you are expected to complete all work given and will at times be required to show evidence that the work has been completed in this unit.
Teaching Schedule
Please note: While your teacher will cover all the material in this schedule, the weekly order is subject to change depending on class needs and availability of speakers and resources
Semester 2
Week 1
Diversity – What is it?
Own cultural conceptions and pre-conceptions and perspective of diverse cultures
Cultural diversity in Australian society and diversity in workplace
Evidence Guide
E1. , E2.
Week 2
Cultural influences and changing cultural practices in Australia
Changing practices and impact on diverse communities; Culture - a dynamic social phenomenon
E1., E2.
Week 3
The principles of equal employment opportunity: e.g sex, race, disability, anti-discrimination
Legislation and the implications for work and social practices
Evidence Guide
E1, E2.
Week 4
Resources and assistance within and external to the organisation in relation to cultural diversity issues
Ass: Evidence Guide
E1, E2
Week 5
Identifying and implementing culturally safe work practices
E2
Week 6
Applying culturally respectful practices in the workplace
E2
Week 7
Responding respectfully and sensitively to cultural beliefs and practices that may cause harm
E3
Week 8
Impact of cultural practices and experiences on personal behaviour, interpersonal relationships, perception and social expectations of others
Ass - Project 1 – Research/Q&A
E3 . E4
Week 9
Integrating principles of diversity in the workplace
Progress interview
E1, E2, E3, E4
Week 10
Effective strategies to address and eliminate discrimination and bias in the workplace
Recognition that the word ’normal’ is a value-laden
E4
Week 11
Forming effective workplace relationships with co-workers and colleagues of diverse backgrounds and cultures
The role and use of language and cultural interpreters
E3, E4
Week 12
Effective strategies to address and eliminate discrimination and bias in the workplace
E3, E4
Week 13
Unique way individuals may experience a culture and respond to past experiences
E2
Week 14
The role and use of language and cultural interpreters
E3
Week 15
Integrating principles of diversity in the workplace
Ass: Project 2 Oral Presentation
E3
Week 16
Basic conflict resolution and negotiation skills
E4
Week 17-18
Reflecting and reviewing experiences of working effectively with culturally diverse clients and co-workers
E1, E2, E3, E4
Assessment interview – review folio of final assessments e.g : Evidence Guide, Project 1 and 2, Evidence of practical experience promoting and responding to workplace diversity; e.g Observation/Demonstration, Third Party,
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Other Resources
TEXTS AND EQUIPMENT
There are no set texts in this course. RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through handouts, our online systems and access to facilities and relevant software. You will also have access to the library resources. It is recommended that you bring:
• Display folder with plastic sleeves
• Highlighter pens
• Notebook or loose leaf paper
• Headphones (use your own or they can be purchased from the Brunswick Library very cheaply)
• USB (Memory stick)
Overview of Assessment
You must demonstrate an understanding of all elements of the competencies in order to be deemed competent.
Assessment methods have been designed to measure achievement of each competency in a flexible manner over a range of assessment tasks. You may be assessed by:
• Direct observation of actual and simulated work practice
• Oral or written questioning
• Assignments and projects
• Presentation of a portfolio of evidence which may comprise documents, and/or photographs and/or video and audio files
• Work-based activities
• Third-party feedback from a work supervisor/employer
Feedback will be provided throughout the semester in class and/or online discussions, through individual and group feedback on practical exercises and by individual consultation.
If you have a long term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or the Disability Liaison Unit if you would like to find out more.
An assessment charter (http://mams.rmit.edu.au/kh6a3ly2wi2h1.pdf) summarises your responsibilities as an RMIT student as well as those of your teachers.
Your courses assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies and procedures which are described and referenced in a single document: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=ln1kd66y87rc
Assessment Tasks
Assessment methods have been designed to measure achievement of each competency in a flexible manner over a range of assessment tasks.
Assessment Task 1: Evidence Guide
Assessment Task 2 - Project 1 – Research/Q&A
Assessment Task 3: Project 2 Oral Presentation
Evidence of practical experience promoting and responding to workplace diversity; e.g Observation/Demonstration, Third Party
Assessment tasks in this course are either formative or summative. Formative tasks provide the basis for ongoing feedback and can be considered essential building blocks for the more substantial summative assessment tasks. Summative assessment tasks in this unit are assessed using the following competency based results:
CA – Competency achieved
NYC – Not Yet Competent
All Assessment tasks should be submitted by the deadline. If an extension is required you must ask your teacher for one before the due date.
Assessment Matrix
The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant Unit of Competency.
These are available from the course contact person (stated above).
Other Information
You must complete a submission cover sheet for every piece of submitted work, including online submissions. This signed sheet acknowledges that you are aware of the plagiarism implications.
Attendance - The major learning experience involves participating in face to face classes. It is strongly advised that you attend all sessions in order to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring the maximum opportunity to gain the competency. www.rmit.edu.au/policies/academicprogress
Feedback - Monitoring academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy to assist you to achieve your learning potential. Students will be asked to attend mid semester interviews with relevant teachers and Program Coordinator.
Special Consideration - All assessment tasks are required to be completed to a satisfactory level. If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment by the due date, you will need to apply for an extension. Please see the RMIT website for further information. www.rmit.edu.au/students/assessment/extension
Academic Integrity and Plagiarism - RMIT University has a strict policy on plagarism and and academic integrity. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy.http://www.rmit.edu.au/students/academic-integrity
Course Overview: Access Course Overview