Promoting Social Justice: Diversity, Disparities and Social Work Ethics

SWK

605

Promoting Social Justice: Diversity, Disparities and Social Work Ethics

3 hours, 3 credits. Provides a conceptual framework to students for addressing the moral quality of societal arrangements and the values and ethical principles that guide social policies and practices that deal with ethical obligations of society. This course examines complex issues related to disparities within marginalized, disadvantaged, and oppressed (MDO) people groups including the intersectionality of multiple factors that may include, but are not limited to, race and ethnicity, age, class, color, culture, physical, mental and emotional disability and ability, gender, gender expression, immigration status, marital status, political ideology, religion/spirituality, sex, sexualities, socioeconomic status, as well as implicit and explicit biases. Students will learn the extent to which cultural values, social, economic, political, and cultural exclusion have oppressed, marginalized, alienated, or created privilege and power for select populations expressed historically through personal, institutional and societal attitudes, language and behaviors, established practices, policies, procedures, customs, and laws. Systems level issues will address disparities and historical trauma experienced by MDO populations. Students develop social work knowledge and ethics by gaining self-awareness and self-regulation that will serve to manage the influence of personal biases and values in working with MDO clients and other constituencies. A comprehensive understanding of disparities will also serve to enhance cultural competence in working with MDO populations, and promote social justice by using strategies designed to remove structural barriers. Prerequisite: Admission to Master of Social Work Program

Fall, Spring

Graduate

Yes

023390