Practicum in the Multi-Cultural Community (3 Credits)

This course is an experiential field course to provide students with both direct experiences working in a multicultural community, and opportunities for reflection on relevant concepts and theories. Students will be assigned to work with community-based organizations on projects to improve the well-being of children and families. Projects involve such activities as community outreach, providing groceries for families/senior citizens, assisting in child care settings or summer programs, and/or working in community education projects. Internships are supervised by the instructor and program staff, as well as by a staff person at the community-based organization. Students meet twice a week to integrate theory with practice. Assignments include a paper, presentation, and reflection papers. This class is usually offered during Spring and Summer terms.

Course Expectations

There are 2 components to the course: experiential and dialogue‐based. The experiential part requires one 4-hour or two 2-hour weekly visits to a community based organization in Detroit. You will be given some choice about whom you work with, based on your availability and the type of program you are interested in. The dialogue‐based part of the course will resemble a discussion section. There will be assigned readings to aid in our discussions, as well as some lectures to introduce key concepts. The majority of class time, however, will be focused on dialogues about major concerns in the communities we are working with, in addition to reflection on your site experiences and their integration with larger issues in society.

Transportation will be provided by the Psychology Transportation Center. At the beginning of the semester, students will have to complete a mini canvas course and orientation before being approved to drive a psych vehicle. Students are strongly encouraged to car pool with other students assigned to the same site and have at least 2 approved drivers in the vehicle at all times