Anti-Oppressive Reflective Practice

Catalog description

In this generalist course, students will be introduced to an anti-oppressive approach to practice rooted in the core social work values of social justice and relationships. Students will learn about the systems of oppression that plague U.S. society, typically referred to as the “isms.” The systems of oppression that will be explored in this course include racism, classism, religious oppression, sexism, heterosexism, trans*oppression, ableism, youth oppression, and elder oppression. Students will explore how they themselves have been socialized into these systems of oppression. Students will be expected to: a) examine their own identity, experiences, and upbringing related to the isms; b) identify the implicit and explicit beliefs, values, assumptions, and biases that they have about people and their problems related to the isms; c) recognize the ways in which their biases may inadvertently impact their practice in problematic ways; and d) identify ways to monitor and regulate their responses to others. Students will critically reflect with other students in the course and identify ways to both support themselves and each other as they enter a profession which requires a lifetime commitment to social justice. The importance of reflective practice and reflective supervision principles will be emphasized throughout. K412 Introduction to Play Therapy (1 credit hour) In this course, students will learn the basic principles, philosophical basis, and history of play therapy. Major theories of play therapy will be introduced as well as the utilization of play to facilitate the child’s self- exploration, self-expression, and self-understanding and personal growth. Students will learn how to develop a relationship and engage children through various theoretical frameworks. This course will also introduce various theoretical applications, play therapy best practices, cross…