learning and physical abilities, age, and social or economic classes. Every student will
be treated fairly and with respect. Students will be valued and encouraged to share their
unique perspective as an individual, not as a representative of any group. Course
curriculum will respect diversity of thought, background, and experience within materials
and student activities. These values are consistent with the mission of the
Office of
Equity, Access, and Inclusion
.
Students with Disabilities
:
A student with a documented disability may be entitled to
accommodations.
Students should register with the
Office of Disability Services
at the
beginning of each semester.
Course Description:
This course is an overview of the professional commitment of
social work to oppressed people. The course focuses on issues of diversity, oppression,
and social justice as they all intertwine with age, class, color, culture, disability, ethnicity,
family structure, gender, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, and sexual
orientation. This course is to engage students at the graduate level in exploring their
own personal values, beliefs, and behaviors that may limit their ability to practice
effective social work with people of diverse backgrounds, particularly, disadvantaged,
and oppressed populations.
This course is designed to enable students to develop a critical knowledge and
awareness-based dimension of social justice issues in practice and policy. While this
course is not for the development of techniques such as those developed in a practice
course, it provides the foundation upon which such techniques are built.
The course will take into consideration the dynamics of social oppression, diversity, and
social functioning through the lens of social, political, and cultural processes.
The effect
that these processes have on inter-group and intra-group relations for oppressed
populations will also be examined. Students will learn about the influence of dominant
culture on these diverse groups and will examine their adaptive capabilities and
strengths and how such capabilities and strengths can be used in effective social work
practice.
Course Objectives:
1.
Critically assess client systems (individuals, families, groups, organizations and
communities) and evaluate cultural norms and behaviors that are strengths as
opposed to those that are problematic or symptomatic behaviors.
2.
Understand the ethical implications in working with diverse populations.
3.
Understand the forms and mechanisms of oppression and discrimination and
apply strategies of advocacy and social change that advance social and
economic justice.