Impact of culture/ethnicity on family processes. Definitions/measurement of culture as a variable as it relates to family/individual developemnt across the life span. How culture/ethnicity influence dynamics, development, constellation, parenting, aging, and socialization. Cultural variations in relationships between families. Prevention/intervention outcomes. Ethnic socialization/identity. Ethnicity as related to family therapy practice/theory.

1. Students will gain an increased awareness of the roles of race, culture and ethnicity in individual and family development, with particular focus on the family lifecycle.

2. To uncover the complexities of race, ethnicity, culture and cultural identity as related to the theory development, research, and therapeutic processes.

3. To facilitate student's understanding of the difference between "cultural awareness" and "cultural sensitivity", the interplay between the two concepts, and how they influence the ability to become a culturally sensitive family researcher and/or therapist.

4. To become familiar with the particular characteristics and values of the major U.S. ethnic minority groups with some context of history, politics, and economics in order to understand group patterns.

5. Students will obtain an understanding of how factors like ethnic identification, acculturation, gender expectations, and racism impact family adjustment and functioning.

6. To examine the question of what is defined as “healthy”, “adaptive”, and “normal” behavior in the context of race and culture.

7. Students will critically evaluate current family science and family therapy theories from a socio-cultural perspective.

8. Students will learn to conceptualize ways of engaging in the application of family therapy theories and techniques that take into account issues of culture.

Brom, I.B., & Smith, S. (1994). Families in Multicultural Perspective. New York: Guilford

Congress, E.P. (1997). Multicultural perspectives in working with families. New York : Springer Pub. Co.

McGoldrick, M. (1998). Re-Visioning Family Therapy: Race, Culture, and Gender in Clinical Practice. New York: Guildford.

McGoldrick, M., Giordano, J., & Pearce, J. K. (1996) Ethinicity and Family Therapy. New York: Guildford.

Saba, G.W., Karrer, B.M., & Hardy, K. V.(Eds.). (1990) Minorities and Family Therapy. New York: Haworth Press.

Tatum, B.D. (1997).”Why are all the Black kids sitting together in the cafeteria?" and other conversations about race. New York : BasicBooks.

Reading Packet to be Developed by the Instructor

Other Suggested Texts:

Boyd-Franklin, N. (1989). Black Families in Therapy: A Multisystem Approach. New York: Guilford.

Coontz, Stephanie. (1992). The Way We Never Were: American Families and the Nostalgia Trap. New York: Basis Books.

Falicov, C.J. (1998). Latino Families in Therapy: A Guide to Multicultural Practice. New York: Guilford.

Lee, E. (Ed.). (2000). Working with Asian Americans: A Guide for Clinicians. New York: Guilford.