School of Social Work

Challenging Minds, Leading Change, Transforming Urn

SW 3110-901 (3 CREDIT HOURS) DIVERSITY, OPPRESSION AND SOCIAL JUSTICE

INSTRUCTOR NAME: JEANNIE LAWRENCE
WEDNESDAY 12:40-3:25 PM -UC1 ROOM 210
OFFICE MRS. BY APPT. ONLY

PHONE # 248-924-0305
WAYNE STATE EMAIL ADPRESS-AE8301@WAYNE.EPU

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course explores the influence of dominant culture on diverse cultures, family structure,
roles, immigration and assimilation experiences of marginalized groups.
COURSE COMPETENCIES AND PRACTICE BEHAVIORS FOR THIS COURSE

2.1.1 Identify as a professional social worker and conduct one's self accordingly
Practice Behaviors:
Advocate for the client access to the services of social work; practice Personal reflection and
self-correction to assure continual professional development; attend to professional roles and
boundaries; demonstrate professional demeanor in behavior, appearance and communication;
engage in Career long learning; use supervision and consultation
2.1.2 Apply social work ethical principles to guide professional practice
Practice Behaviors:
Recognize and manage personal values in a way that allows professional values to guide
practice make ethical decisions by applying standards of the NASW Code of Ethics; tolerate
ambiguity in resolving conflicts; apply concepts of ethical reasoning to arrive at principled
decisions
2.1.3 Apply Critical thinking to inform and communicate professional judgments
Practice Behaviors:
Distinguish, appraise, and integrate multiple sources of knowledge, including research based
knowledge, and practice wisdom; analyze models of assessment, prevention, intervention and
evaluation; demonstrate effective oral and written communication in working with individuals,
families, groups, organizations, communities, and colleagues

2.1.4 Engage diversity and difference in practice

Practice Behaviors:
Gain sufficient self-awareness to eliminate the influence of personal bias and values in working
with diverse groups; recognize and communicate the importance of difference in shaping life
experiences
2.1.7 Apply Knowledge of human Behavior and the social environment
Practice Behaviors:
Utilize conceptual frameworks to guide the process of assessment, intervention and evaluation;
Critique and apply knowledge to understand person and environment
2.1.9 Respond to contexts that shape practice
Practice Behaviors:
Continuously discover, appraise, and attend to changing locales, populations, scientific and
technological developments, and emerging societal trends to provide relevant services; Provide
leadership in promoting sustainable changes in service delivery and practice to improve the
quality of social service
2.1.11 Analyze the impact of the urban context on a range of client systems, including
practice implications
Practice Behaviors:
Examine the distinct characteristics of the urban context and apply the analysis to social
work practice
TEXTS AND REQUIRED MATERIAL
Appleby, G., Colon, E., & Hamilton J. (2011). Diversity, oppression, and social functioning;
Person-in-environment assessment and intervention (3rd ed .). Boston: Allyn and Bacon
Course Pack edited by Bowers, Cassandra J. (2013). AVAILABLE IN BLACKBOARD

INTRODUCTION

This course focuses on issues of diversity, oppression and social justice. It is designed to prepare
social work students to be knowledgeable of people's biases based on race, ethnicity, culture,
religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, social and economic status, political ideology, disability
and how these contribute to discrimination and oppression. Students will learn about diverse
cultures, family structure, roles, immigration and assimilation experiences of marginalized
groups. Students will also learn about the influence of dominant culture on these diverse and
marginalized (population at risk) groups.
Additionally, this course will examine the adaptive capabilities and strengths of these
marginalized groups and how such capabilities and strengths can be used in effective social work