National Centre for Cultural Competence - Cultural Competence Online Modules
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Overview
The National Centre for Cultural Competence – Cultural Competence Online Modules aim to encourage individuals’ confidence, motivation, and knowledge in developing cultural competence capabilities as well as increase culturally competent practices in organisations across the country.
These modules offer a range of research-based educational resources, insights from academics and community members as well as reflective activities. The course is one of the University of Sydney’s most effective internal professional development programs and we are proud to now offer the Cultural Competence Modules to the public.
Please note: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that these modules may contain images, voices or names of deceased persons in photographs, film, audio recordings or printed material.
What you'll learn
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Develop an understanding of cultural competence and its importance for effective and respectful cross-cultural interactions in the workplace and beyond.
- Demonstrate cultural competence capabilities to inspire cultural change and strong cultural competence throughout an organisation.
- Explore approaches to recognise and challenge racism within both the workplace and broader social contexts.
- Learn from the historical and contemporary context of Redfern and its importance as a birthplace of contemporary Aboriginal self-determination.
What is Cultural Competence?
Cultural competence is the ability to participate ethically and effectively in personal and professional intercultural settings. It requires being aware and critically self-reflective of your own socialisation and world view, and how these impact on your ability to make respectful, reflective, and reasoned choices, including the capacity to imagine and collaborate across cultural boundaries. Cultural competence is, ultimately, about valuing diversity for the richness and creativity it brings to society.
National Centre for Cultural Competence
Content
Module 1: Journey of self-discovery
Explore your identity as an individual within a wider social context. Participants will gain insight into strategies to strengthen their resilience.
- Topic 1: Introduction
- Topic 2: Who are you?
- Topic 3: How do you see the world?
- Topic 4: Cultural Competence and resilience
Module 2: What do we mean by cultural competence?
Learn about cultural competence and develop your self-reflection
- Topic 1: Introduction
- Topic 2: What is culture?
- Topic 3: How can I develop my cultural competence?
Module 3: Racism runs deep
Examine the importance of building your cultural competence to combat racism. This module aims to provide you with an understanding of different forms of racism, as well as strategies to recognise and challenge racism.
- Topic 1: Introduction
- Topic 2: What is racism?
- Topic 3: Why are we racist?
- Topic 4: How to recognise and address racism
- Topic 5: Racism in the workplace
Module 4: Know your world. See my world
Develop your capacity for critical self-reflection. This module will provide you with ideas to integrate what you have learnt into action, enabling you to interact more effectively in cross cultural relationships. This module also explores how organisations can address cultural competence in their operations.
- Topic 1: Introduction
- Topic 2: Know your world
- Topic 3: Walking into our story
- Topic 4: See my world
- Topic 5: Continuing the Journey
Module 5: Aboriginal self-determination in Sydney
The final module explores the historical and contemporary context of Redfern, the contribution of Aboriginal Peoples who came to live there, and its importance as a place of continuing Aboriginal self-determination.
- Topic 1: Introduction
- Topic 2: Bujari Gammarruwa – Welcome
- Topic 3: This is Gadigal Land
- Topic 4: Redfern tour
- Topic 5: Connecting to community
- Topic 6: Redfern and Aboriginal self-determination
- Topic 7: Conclusion
The NCCC – Cultural Competence Modules are suitable for those seeking to develop their understanding of cultural competence, expand their capabilities to lead organisational change, and learn strategies to recognise and challenge racism. It is relevant for organisations, teams, managers, and individuals seeking to improve cultural competence in the workplace and across wider social contexts.
Delivered as a self-paced, five-part online course, accessed through an online Learning Management System (Canvas). Each module is estimated to take approximately 45 minutes to complete.
The modules consist of:
- - videos introducing and exploring each concept
- - reflective activities to reinforce the concepts learned
- - interactive activities
- - research-focused educational resources.
This course is considered non-award under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) and does not provide any official certification from the University of Sydney. Once all modules are completed, you will be issued a Statement of Completion.
Course materials will be accessed online following enrolment.
You will need your own device with a strong internet connection, such as a laptop or desktop computer. This course is managed through a Learning Management System (Canvas). Once enrolled, you will be provided with login details.
Cultural competence is considered an important professional competency at the University of Sydney. All staff at the University of Sydney are encouraged to undertake the NCCC Cultural Competence eModules offered through WorkDay. WorkDay can be accessed through the staff intranet.
Adichie, C. The danger of a single story
Di Angelo, R. (2018) White Fragility: Why it’s so hard for White people to talk about racism, Beacon Press, Boston.
Sensoy, Ö, and DiAngelo, R. (2011) Is everyone really equal? An introduction to key concepts in social justice education. New York City: Teachers College Press. See Chapter 2: ‘Socialisation’ (p. 14-27).
Walker R, Schultz C & Sonn C. (2014). Chapter 12: Cultural competence—transforming policy, services, programs and practice. In: Dudgeon P, Milroy H & Walker R (eds). Working together: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health and Wellbeing Principles and Practice. 2nd ed. Canberra: Australian Government Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, 195–220.
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