Social Work Practice with Diverse Populations – SOWK 450

Course Description

This course provides the student with the opportunity to develop an understanding of theories, knowledge, values, and skills in relation to generalist practice with diverse populations. This course also provides the forum for students to gain an understanding of cultural values of individuals and the impact of those values on human relationships. Emphasis will be placed on the importance of respecting and valuing diversity.

Rationale

Social workers interact with diverse populations in the areas of engagement, assessment, intervention, and evaluation when working populations on a daily basis. This course aids the students in developing competency with diverse populations. It prepares students with foundational knowledge necessary for effective generalist social work practice.

Course Assignment

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

The Course Requirement Checklist assesses Competency 1 (Ethical/Prof. Behavior).

Discussions (1)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to provide a thread in response to the provided prompt for each discussion.

Racial Minority Experience Reflection Assignment

Social workers need empathy and understanding for clients to develop an understanding of the perspectives of others. Significant learning can evolve when you intentionally place yourself into an unfamiliar place and step out of your comfort zone by interacting with others that are different from you. To help you on this journey, you will each engage in a racial minority experience which will expand your boundaries and increase your cultural competency.

The Racial Minority Experience Reflection assesses Competency 1 (Ethical/Prof. Behavior), Competency 2 (Diversity), Competency 4 (Research), and Competency 6 (Engage). 

Cultural Theory Presentation Assignment

The Cultural Theory Presentation challenges students to gain knowledge of diverse groups to increase cultural competency within the scope of generalist social work practice. Students will examine diversity through the lens of naturalistic research as part of grounded theory within the scope of eight cross-cultural curative factors as found in the main text.

The Cultural Theory Presentation assesses Competency 1 (Ethical/Prof. Behavior), Competency 2 (Diversity), Competency 4 (Research), Competency 6 (Engage), Competency 7 (Assess), and Competency 8 (Intervene).

Case Study Paper Assignment

Understanding the issues faced by diverse groups, including LGBTQIA+ clients, is vital to generalist social work practice. Theory and research are components to increase understanding and social work integration, especially related to the NASW Code of Ethics. Furthermore, increasing cultural competency is essential to the continued development of professional social workers who serve diverse groups facing current and future challenges. A competent and informed case study will prepare social workers to facilitate intervention plans based on diverse clients’ needs in multiple practice contexts.

The Case Study assesses Competency 1 (Ethical/Prof. Behavior), Competency 2 (Diversity), Competency 4 (Research), Competency 6 Engage), Competency 7 (Assess), and Competency 8 (Intervene).

Quizzes (8)

The student will take quizzes over the assigned reading and course presentations. Each quiz will be open-book/open-notes, contain 10 multiple-choice questions, and have a 20-minute time limit. There will be 8 quizzes in the course, totaling 80 points of the final course grade.

Quizzes assess Competency 1 (Ethical/Prof. Behavior), Competency 2 (Diversity), Competency 4 (Research), Competency 6–(Engage), Competency 7 (Assess), and Competency 8 (Intervene)