This course provides students with the knowledge needed for practice with disadvantaged and oppressed groups. This course examines the history, demographics, and culture of various disenfranchised groups. A major theme of the course is to provide an opportunity for exploration of how prejudice, discrimination, and exclusion affect the experiences of members of these groups. Another theme is the unique strengths and capacities within each group that should be recognized and utilized in effective social work practices. Social injustice occurs and is present at individual, institutional, and societal/structural levels; professional social work ethics and values demand cultural competence and cultural sensitivity practice at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels. Critique of diversity perspectives from a Christian worldview will also be discussed.
Prerequisites:
Year 3 or 4 standing