SOCW 2120 Syllabus

Subject Code

SOCW

Course Number

2120

Course Title

Multicultural Issues

Prerequisites

Provisional admission

Corequisites

Terms Offered

Offered Fall

Credit Hours

(3-0-3)

Course Description

This course provides students with the knowledge and skills needed to work with physically, socio-economically, mentally, psychologically, and economically disadvantaged and oppressed people. Attention is given to ethnic minorities of color, women, people with disabilities, gay and lesbian people, the poor, and the oppressed. A multi-dimensional, cross-cultural framework is introduced for assessments and interventions with consumers from diverse groups. Students learn to identify and emphasize the adaptive capabilities and strengths of disadvantaged and oppressed people. The course is designed to foster awareness and understanding about the influence of culture on practice and provides an opportunity for students to explore their own attitudes, beliefs, and values as they pertain to people of different groups. Using a person-in-environment system (PIE) and a strengths-based foundation, students will explore various aspects of service delivery and issues related to the different cultural groups.

Course Outcomes

Understanding Cultural Diversity

  •  Understand the many forms of human diversity, including race, ethnicity, gender, age, disabilities, economic standing, sexual orientation, appearance, religious preference, etc.
  • Understand the influence of culture on social work practice and service delivery and what it means/takes to be culturally sensitive in social work practice.
  • Develop an understanding of diversity and the concept "understanding diversity empowers people".
  • Understand legal, ethical, and policy issues related to human diversity and culturally sensitive practice.

Understanding Prejudice, Discrimination, and Bias

  • Understand oppression, prejudice and discrimination as it exists in our society.
  • Examine personal beliefs, values, and biases regarding different groups based on race, ethnicity, gender, age disabilities, economic standing, sexual orientation, appearance, religious preference, etc.
  • Consider ethical issues relating to human diversity, prejudice, and discrimination.

Researching and Understanding

  • Read information on diverse populations, critically analyze the information, and communicate answers in written form using Microsoft Word.
  • Research one specific population and make an oral presentation using PowerPoint.
  • Demonstrate knowledge about diversity in the work place and what it means to provide a climate and culture of "sensitivity" and make an oral presentation using a variety of audio visuals.