5 credits
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to multicultural social work practice and the importance of cultural competence. During the course, students are encouraged to assess their own level of self-awareness and their ability to engage in critical thinking on the issues of diversity and social justice. Grounded within the professional Code of Ethics, students learn about concepts and theory related to social, economic, and environmental justice. In this course, students analyze and reflect on the impact of oppression and discrimination on diverse groups. They learn how to engage evidence-informed practice, as well as advocate on behalf of others, particularly vulnerable populations. Throughout the course, students learn about various cultural groups and apply their learning to a different population each week. By the end of the course, students will be prepared with the foundational knowledge and skills for social work practice with culturally diverse and vulnerable populations.