Description:

The history of social movements in the United States will be integrated into exploration of current economic, political, religious and psychosocial issues, at micro and macro practice levels, relevant to the professional practice of social work at the BSW or MSW level of practice. This course is designed to support the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics and Council of Social Work Education (CSWE) requirements for culturally competent practice. 3 hrs./wk.

Supplies: Refer to the instructor's course syllabus for details about any supplies that may be required.

Prerequisites: NONE

Textbook(s): For information see - http://bookstore.jccc.net

Course Fees: NONE

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course the student should be able to:

1. Identify and describe the philosophical and historical roots of the profession of Social Work in relationship to cultural diversity and social justice movements in the United States.
2. Identify major historical and current economic, political, social and religious factors, and current issues that impact public policy in the U.S.
3. Identify major economic, political, social and religious factors in Euro-American history, current issues and the impact on diverse populations within the U.S.
4. Recognize the impact of major social movements in the U.S., and the contributions of individual social activists and Social Workers to the current status of the profession of Social Work.
5. Explain the centrality of the Social Work Code of Ethics in the development and current practice of the profession.
6. Explain the centrality of ethical behavior in the profession and be able to describe the relevance of the Code of Ethics to Social Work concerns related to class, race, gender, ability, sexual orientation, age, marital status, religious preference and other factors which impact the "person in the environment" in which they live.
7. Identify diversity issues within the context of the Strengths Perspective utilized by professional social workers.
8. Identify diversity issues within the context of Systems Theory.
9. Describe the Person-in-Environment assessment methodology.

Content Outline & Competencies:

I. Socialization to the Profession and the Profession's Commitment to
Culturally Competent Practice
   A. Describe the origins of the profession and the populations served.
   B. Identify the mission of the profession and the centrality of the
Code of Ethics to the profession.
   C. Identify the ethical principles and values of the profession as
stated in the Code of Ethics.
   D. Discuss the profession's concerns and ethical mandates related to
cultural and ethnic diversity, discrimination, oppression, poverty and
other forms of social injustice.

II. Framework for Practice with Diverse and Oppressed People
   A. Define the Strengths Perspective utilized by professional social
workers.
   B. Describe the Ecological Perspective.
   C. Describe Systems Theory.
   D. Recognize and describe the parameters of the Person-in-Environment
assessment model.
   E. Define culture, social identify development and cultural
relativism.
   F. Define micro, mezzo and macro level assessment and intervention
methods.
   G. Recognize and identify micro, mezzo and macro level intervention
methods in historical and current social justice movements.

III. Analyses of Social Institutions and Social Policy
   A. Define polity, economy, religion and social welfare.
   B. Identify social groups included in the U.S. Constitution, past and
present.
   C. Define: stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination.
   D. Differentiate between stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination.
   E. Describe the interplay between stereotypes, prejudice and
discrimination and the outcomes of each.
   F. Differentiate between individual and institutionalized
discrimination.   
   G. Identify the major provisions of the Civil Rights Law of 1964, the
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Employment Non-Discrimination
Act, and hate crimes legislation.
   H. Identify federal, state and city level agencies designated to review
complaints of discrimination and enforce the provisions of civil rights
laws.

IV. Socioeconomic Stratification and Class Status
   A. Describe socioeconomic stratification in the U.S.
   B. Recognize the interface of socioeconomic stratification and class
differentiation. 
   C. Identify at least two major social justice movements that have
changed national public policies regarding people in lower socioeconomic
classes. 
   D. Describe micro level assessment issues and intervention methods.
   E. Identify at least two current social justice issues related to class
stratification.

V. Religion and Spirituality
   A. Identify at least nine major religions.
   B. Define religeocentrism. 
   C. Differentiate between religion and spirituality.
   D. Describe the major tenets and most important/holy days of two
religions/spiritual beliefs.
   E. Appreciate the importance of examining one's own beliefs and
congruency with the Social Work Code of Ethics. 
   F. Describe the practice implication of self-awareness regarding one's
own belief system.

VI. Sexism and Gender Roles in Euro-American History
   A. Define and differentiate between biological gender, gender roles and
sexism.
   B. Describe the interplay of polity, religion and economics in relation
to differential gender roles, marital status and class status. 
   C. Identify levels of intervention and strategies used in the three
waves of the women's movement.
   D. Describe macro level issues related to the feminization of poverty
and violence against women.
   E. Describe micro level issues in the context of the Strengths
Perspective.
   F. Recognize current social justice issues. 

VII. Cultural Identification, Ethnicity and Race
   A. Define culture, race and ethnicity.
   B. Describe the interplay of polity, religion and economics in relation
to social roles and class status.
   C. Identify levels of intervention and strategies used in at least two
ethnic/racial/culturally based social justice movements in the U.S.
   D. Describe at least two current macro level issues.
   E. Recognize micro level issues within the context of the Strengths
Perspective.

VIII. Physical and Mental Ability
   A. Differentiate between functional ability and socially imposed
disability.
   B. Identify societal barriers to independent function.
   C. Recognize the relationship between self-identification and socially
imposed roles.
   D. Identify levels of intervention and strategies used in at least one
social justice movement. 
   E. Identify two current macro level issues.
   F. Recognize micro level issues within the context of the Strengths
Perspective.

IX. Gender and Sexual Orientation
   A. Define heterocentrism, heterosexism and homophobia.
   B. Differentiate between biological gender, gender identity and sexual
orientation.
   C. Recognize the historical interface of polity and religion and the
impact at the micro and macro levels.
   D. Identify two current macro level challenges.
   E. Recognize micro level issues within the context of the Strengths
Perspective.

X. Age
   A. Define ageism.
   B. Describe stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination in relation to
age.
   C. Recognize the historical interface of polity and religion and the
impact at the micro and macro levels.
   D. Recognize micro level issues within the context of the Strengths
Perspective. 
   E. Identify two current macro level challenges.

XI. Affirmative Practice
   A. Recognize practice implications in regard to cultural diversity and
environmental issues.
   B. Recognize worldviews re: polity, economy, religion and social
welfare.
   C. Appreciate global concerns related to the environment, polity,
economy, religion, social welfare and social justice.

Methods of Evaluation of Competencies:

Evaluation of student mastery of course competencies will be accomplished using the following methods:

   20% of grade   10-15 homework assignments and/or take-home quizzes
   20% of grade   Participation in class discussions and projects
   20% of grade   Service learning 
   20% of grade   Individual research paper (APA format)
   20% of grade   Final project

Grading Criteria:
   90% - 100 = A
   80% -  89 = B
   70% -  79 = C
   60% -  69 = D
    0% -  59 = F

Caveats:

1. Service Learning is required.

Disabilities:

If you are a student with a disability, and if you will be requesting accommodations, it is your responsibility to contact Access Services. Access Services will recommend any appropriate accommodations to your professor and his/her director. The professor and director will identify for you which accommodations will be arranged.

JCCC provides a range of services to allow persons with disabilities to participate in educational programs and activities. If you desire support services, contact the office of Access Services for Students With Disabilities (913) 469-8500, ext. 3521 or TDD (913) 469-3885. The Access Services office is located in the Success Center on the second floor of the Student Center.