- Power, Privilege and Oppression: Advancing Social Justice

Catalog description

This course explores social work values, provides opportunities to identify and clarify conflicting values and ethical dilemmas, and examines the impact of discrimination, economic deprivation, and oppression on groups distinguished by factors such as race, ethnicity, culture, class, age, gender, sexual orientation, ability, national origin, etc. Students will consider linkages between various aspects of identity and inequality by evaluating existing systems of power, privilege and oppression, exploring theoretical debates, and examining multicultural and intersectional strategies of response. Specific attention is focused on critically analyzing and applying the social justice-based foundations of social work and the role of social workers in addressing unjust systems and structures that marginalize and disadvantage particular groups in contemporary America.