SWK 115: Difference, Diversity, and Privilege

Course Description

This course examines the phenomena of power, privilege and oppression and their effect on individuals, families, and communities in the context of the values of social and economic justice within the social work profession. This course is intended to increase awareness of the intersectionality of multiple oppressions with a focus on race/ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, and sexual orientation. Students will gain a self-awareness to identify the influence of personal biases and values that impact practice with diverse groups. Through this awareness they will understand their role as leaders and change agents when working with diverse populations.  (3 credits)

Prerequisite

  • None

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate skills for engaging and addressing issues of diversity and social justice.
  2. Understand the power dynamics associated with difference and dominance/oppression, and their impact on human functioning and social relations within and across diverse groups.
  3. Understand how structural inequities in society are shaped by historical, psychological, social, and political factors.
  4. Demonstrate knowledge of social identities and the diversity within identities, as well as an understanding of the many ways that our multiple identities intersect at the individual and institutional levels.
  5. Demonstrate awareness of oppressive assumptions, biases, and prejudices that facilitate a stance of dominance, as well as identify where these biases, prejudices, and assumptions rest in institutions.
  6. Develop methods for continuing this lifelong process of recognizing our biases, learning how to change oppressive systems, and building a more socially just, equitable multicultural society.

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) / Competencies

  1. Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior
  2. Advance Human Rights and Social, Racial, Economic, and Environmental Justice
  3. Engage Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ADEI) in Practice
  4. Engage in Practice-Informed Research and Research-Informed Practice
  5. Engage in Policy Practice
  6. Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
  7. Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
  8. Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
  9. Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

Course Activities and Grading

AssignmentsWeight

Discussions (Weeks 1-8)

25%

Weekly Quizzes (Weeks 1-8)

25%

Weekly Assignments (Weeks 1-8)

25%

Oppression and Social Injustice Project (Week 8)

25%

Total

100%

 

Required Textbooks

Available through Charter Oak State College's Book Bundle

The Charter Oak Book Bundle provides all undergraduate and graduate students with access to required textbooks, lab manuals, access codes, and electronic book versions in a convenient bundle before the first day of class—often at discounted prices.

Through a partnership with Barnes & Noble, the Book Bundle allows students to obtain required course materials for all classes for a per-credit fee, regardless of the individual cost of each textbook or digital access. Rather than purchasing materials separately, the rental cost is added to the student's account along with tuition. Digital materials are automatically added to students' Blackboard courses. For courses requiring physical textbooks, books will be shipped to students' homes at no additional charge.

The Social Work Program has partnered with Cengage to provide all e-texts, MindTap activities, and other resources through the Cengage Unlimited Subscription. You can access this resource through the Charter Oak Book Bundle. 

The textbook used for this course obtained through Cengage Unlimited is:

  • Diller, J. (2019). Cultural Diversity: A Primer for the Human Services - with MindTap Access. 6th ed.

Course Schedule

Week

PLOs

SLOs

Readings and Exercises

Assignments

1

1-3

1-6

TopicsIntroduction & What it Means to be Culturally Competent

  • Readings:
    • Chapter 1
    • Chapter 2
  • Review Course Materials
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Participate in discussions
  • Submit all Week 1 assignments

2

1-3

1-6

Topics: Working with Diverse Clients & Understanding Racism, Prejudice, and White Privilege

  • Readings: 
    • Chapter 3
    • Chapter 4
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Participate in discussions
  • Submit all Week 2 assignments
  • Begin work on the Oppression and Social Injustice Project
    • Submit Group Project Topic Selection to the discussion board

3

1-5

1-6

Topics: Understanding Culture and Cultural Differences & Working with Culturally Diverse Parents and Families

  • Readings:
    • Chapter 5
    • Chapter 6
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Participate in discussions
  • Submit all Week 3 assignments
  • Continue working on the Oppression and Social Injustice Project

4

1-5

1-6

Topics: Culturally Sensitive Treatment with Children & Working with Latino/a Clients

  • Readings:
    • Chapter 7
    • Chapter 11
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Participate in discussions
  • Submit all Week 4 assignments
  • Continue working on the Oppression and Social Injustice Project

5

1-5

1-6

Topics: Working with Native American Clients & Working with African American Clients

  • Readings:
    • Chapter 12
    • Chapter 13
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Participate in discussions
  • Submit all Week 5 assignments
  • Continue working on the Oppression and Social Injustice Project

6

1-5

1-6

Topics: Working with Asian American Clients & Working with Arab and Muslim American Clients

  • Readings:
    • Chapter 14
    • Chapter 15
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Participate in discussions
  • Submit all Week 6 assignments
  • Continue working on the Oppression and Social Injustice Project

7

1-5

1-6

Topics: Working with South Asian American Clients & Working with White Ethnic Clients

  • Readings: 
    • Chapter 16
    • Chapter 17
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Participate in discussions
  • Submit all Week 7 assignments
  • Continue working on the Oppression and Social Injustice Project

8

1-5

1-6

Topics: Working with American Male Clients & Working with Deaf Clients

  • Readings:
    • Chapter 18
    • Chapter 19
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Participate in discussions
  • Submit all Week 8 assignments
  • Submit Oppression and Social Injustice Project (Parts A & B)
  • Complete Course Evaluation

 

COSC Accessibility Statement

Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.

COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources

Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.