Programs

Approved Courses in Human Diversity

SSA 423. Culture and Context in Early Childhood Development
Early child development is a transactional process inseparable from the environmental context in which it occurs. Incorporating concepts from cultural psychology, ethology, and cross-cultural research, this course examines how the child's early experience is embedded in a developmental niche defined by the physical and social setting, the prevailing customs of child care, and the practices caregivers employ in the process of socialization. Patterns of social interaction and modes of learning within primary care-giving relationships serve as focal points for exploring the implications of historical, economic, and socio-cultural influences on early development. To reflect the complexity and diversity inherent in human development, the course also focuses on distinctions between basic developmental processes and individual differences in adaptation.
T. Keller

SSA 428. Clinical Intervention with Socially Vulnerable Clients
Social workers are committed to social justice and to helping the most vulnerable members of society but have often found traditional methods unsuccessful with this population. Although many of these clients carry a significant psychological burden derived from the internalization of oppressive experience, clinical response is frequently limited to concrete services and problem-solving tasks. Successful engagement of socially vulnerable clients in therapeutic intervention requires an integrated approach that addresses individual dynamic issues and environmental concerns simultaneously. This course presents the conceptual framework for such an integrated approach as well as specific techniques that enhance effectiveness. Key elements such as multilevel assessment, the therapeutic use of metaphor, and understanding the meaning of action, are discussed in detail.
J. Palmer

SSA 439. Disability: Medical, Ethical and Psychosocial Issues
This course examines a broad range of topics relating to disability and our society. We will study traditional medical models of illness as well as models from the disability rights movement that challenge the way we view ourselves. We will examine the impact of disability throughout the lifespan, review theories of adaptation, and discuss clinical practice concerns/interventions. Participants will have opportunities to study specific disabilities of interest to them within the framework of the course. Social policy, disability-related entitlements, and recent legislation also will be covered along with disability ethics issues such as physician assisted suicide, allocation of scarce medical resources, and the human genome project.
R. Brashler

SSA 441. Self-Awareness and Multi-Cultural Social Work Practice
This course is designed to provide students with a multicultural social work practice perspective that encompasses a keen awareness of self in the process of client change. It assists students in the acquisition of a broad range of professional knowledge and skills in order to address the complex cultures emerging in society. The course examines power and status in society arising from the interplay of gender and sexual orientation, race and ethnicity, religious and spiritual beliefs, social class and status, and developmental and disabling conditions. Students explore their own multiple identities in order to develop increased culture sensitivity in order to promote clinical approaches that respect the cultural identities of clients both individually and collectively. This course is only open to second year students and limited to 18 students.
D. Voisin

SSA 443. Spirituality and Social Work Practice
This course explores the meanings and assumptions practitioners and clients bring to the psychotherapy experience. Materials are drawn from current psychology and theology texts, with an emphasis on relational theory and the co-creation of the therapeutic alliance. Students are encouraged to examine their own religious beliefs and the ways these elements inform and influence their practice. Clients' belief systems are highlighted because attitudes and experiences regarding spirituality and religion are a significant element of self-understanding and development.
A. Raney

SSA 444. Sexuality and Social Work Practice
This course focuses on issues of sexuality with an emphasis on sexuality as it relates to practice. This course provides a conceptual framework with which students can begin to understand and evaluate concerns clients may present regarding sexuality. The course takes a developmental approach with particular attention to issues of culture and its impact on clients and their sexuality. Although gay and lesbian concerns are addressed throughout the course, it is not exclusively about gay and lesbian clients. In short, the intent is to provide an understanding of normative development of sexuality within a cultural context so that students will feel comfortable and competent dealing with concerns about sexuality that their clients may present. In addition this course provides a foundation which will enable students to critically read and reflect upon extant literature addressing different aspects of sexuality and clinical practice.
J. Beeler

SSA 448. Urban Adolescents in Their Families, Communities, and Schools: Issues for Research and Policy
Early and mid-adolescence is a critical stage in the life course. Urban adolescents face special risks and often have fewer supports and opportunities to guide them through this critical period. As the U.S. population becomes increasingly diverse, particularly in urban areas, families, communities, and schools may need to create new social institutions and relationships in order to meet the needs of this new population. This course focuses on three central questions. First, how are the education and developmental trajectories of adolescents shaped by their experiences in their families, schools, and communities as well as the interrelationships among these domains? Second, what are the special needs or issues that arise for adolescents who are from immigrant families, who are cultural, racial or ethnic minorities, or who are from educationally and economically disadvantaged households? And, third, how do we translate an understanding of the needs of adolescents and the conditions in families, communities and schools that foster positive development into the design of policies and practice?
M. Roderick

SSA 452. African American Families: Theory and Research on the Role of Fathers
This course examines emerging theoretical debates and related research issues concerning African American families in the contemporary urban context. A particular emphasis is placed on the role of African American fathers in post-industrial America. The influence of sociological, social psychological, and ecological factors are considered from a multidisciplinary and life-cycle developmental perspective. Attention is given to the need for research on the historical, economic, cultural, and psychological issues in the relationship between African American fathers in both traditional husband-wife and emerging fragile family contexts. Permission of Instructor required.
W. Johnson

SSA 453. Cultural Retention and Social Assimilation: Hispanics in the United States (= Pub Pol 453)
Hispanics, the fastest growing population group in the U.S., comprise a population diverse in race, ethnicity, and class, as well as economic and social indicators. Issues of immigration, native language retention, and their geographic concentration raise interesting social and political questions. Students explore questions of demographics, health care, criminal justice, education, immigration, social welfare, civil rights, language, religion, and culture in the context of creating an effective public policy agenda.
P. Cafferty

SSA 469. Race and Ethnicity In American Political Life (= Pub Pol 465; Soc 225)
Race and ethnicity has historically played a pivotal role in American political discourse and in the formation of social policy. Through the use of sociological literature on individual and group identity formation as well as fiction, history, and autobiography this course exams social constructions of race and ethnicity as an analytical tool for understanding the development and implementation of social policies. Contemporary questions raised by a multicultural society for social policy and practice are explored.
L. Piedra

SSA 494. Immigrants and Refugees in American Society
This course discusses the growing populations of immigrants and refugees in American society to explore questions of social justice, political process and public policy using history and social theory as well as fiction and autobiography written by first and second generation Americans. P. Cafferty