Advanced Global and Community Practice

Catalog description

This is the first course in the concentration on Global and Community Practice. It is designed to introduce the student to local and global social work practice, with a special emphasis on community development and community organizing. The historical and current political context of development, the policies and practices of international aid, humanitarian agencies, governments and multilateral organizations and the role of social work in addressing human rights and needs are critically examined. Emphasis is given to the impact of social welfare policy decisions upon oppressed population groups and the implications of these decisions for human rights and social and economic justice. The importance of engaging organizations, community groups and institutions and allies to work together to address problems or conditions they have identified and wish to solve or change will also be highlighted. The macro context of the relationship and tensions between Global North and Global South development and practice are explored, as is the impact of this context on global community practice. Knowledge, skills and awareness for community practice work in multicultural local, transnational, and global settings are emphasized in this course. Engagement of communities and organizations via social media campaigns and collaborative in-person activities are also highlighted. Students must earn a grade of "B" or higher in this class or it will have to be repeated and this may delay a student's ability to move forward in the program. Prerequisites: SW-503 , SW-505 , SW-507 , SW-509 , SW-513 , SW-518 , and SW-510 and SW-520 both passed with a grade of B or higher