Course Syllabus
Title of Course: Human Rights and Social Justice
Prefix and Number: SOCL_WRK 322
Semester and Year [tbd]
Number of Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: Admitted to the Social Work Program
Course Details
Day and Time: [tbd]
Meeting Location: [tbd]
Instructor Contact Information
Instructor Name: [tbd]
Instructor Contact Information: [office location, phone, email] [tbd]
Instructor Office Hours: [click here Links to an external site. for best practices] [tbd]
TA Name: [tbd]
TA Contact Information: [office location, phone, email]: [tbd]
TA Office Hours: [click here Links to an external site. for best practices] [tbd]
Course Description
Explores institutionalized oppression and responses centered on social justice. Examines the perpetuation of privilege, structural and individual discrimination, and their impacts upon marginalized groups.
Course Materials
Books:
All course readings are Open Educational Resources (OERs) available and accessible through Canvas. The following book will be checked out to you from the Social Work Lending Library:
Stevenson, B. (2015) Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption. ISBN-13: 978-0812984965
Other Materials: You will need a laptop or device to access course content through online resources and the Canvas Learning Management System. Plan to log into the Canvas course several times per week and check your email frequently for announcements or other information from your instructor.
Fees: N/A
|
Course Learning Outcomes (students will be able to:) |
Activities Supporting the Learning Outcomes | Assessment of the Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| Identify oppressive policies and practices within institutions | Lectures, class discussions, small-group activities, writing, and individual and group presentation | Reflection paper, research paper, discussion posts |
| Explain the perpetuation of privilege and discrimination and its impact on marginalized groups | Lectures, class discussions, small-group activities, writing, and individual and group presentation | Reflection paper, research paper, discussion posts |
| Define power, oppression, and privilege through the lens of social work practice |
Lectures, class discussions, small-group activities, writing, and individual and group presentation |
Reflection paper, research paper, discussion posts |
| Identify practices that advance social economic and environmental justice |
Lectures, class discussions, small-group activities, writing, and individual and group presentation |
Reflection paper, research paper, discussion posts, journal entries |
| Assess personal relationship to power, oppression and privilege |
Lectures, journaling, class discussions, small-group activities, writing, and individual and group presentation |
Reflection paper, discussion posts, journal entries |
| Dates | Lesson Topic | Assignment | Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Week 1 |
Introduction of Power within a Social Work Framework | Read: Stevenson, Intro + Ch. 1 |
Journal Entry Discussion Entry |
| Week 2 [dates] |
Understanding Power Dynamics within Social Work |
Read: Power-informed practice in social work (Karim, Samina) Read: Stevenson, Ch. 2 |
Journal Entry Discussion Entry |
| Week 3 [dates] |
Introduction to Oppression within a Social Work Framework | Read: Stevenson, Ch. 3 |
Journal Entry Discussion Entry |
| Week 4 [dates] |
Understanding Race, Caste, and Other Distinctions in Social Stratification |
Read: Stevenson, Ch. 4 Watch: Defining Privilege, Oppression, Diversity and Social Justice, University of Michigan |
Journal Entry Discussion Entry |
| Week 5 [dates] |
Introduction to Privilege within a Social Work Framework |
Read: Stevenson, Ch. 5 Watch: What is Anti-Oppressive Social Work Practice?, What is Social Work? |
Mid-way research paper peer feedback due |
| Week 6 [dates] |
Understanding Privilege and Systems of Power |
Watch: Sometimes You're a Caterpillar Read: Stevenson, Ch. 6 |
Journal Entry Discussion Entry |
| Week 7 [dates] |
Self-awareness of Power, Oppression, and Privilege |
Read: Understanding Race and Privilege Read: Stevenson Ch. 7 + Ch. 8 |
Journal Entry
Discussion Entry |
| Week 8 [dates] |
Intersection of Identity and Privilege | Read: Stevenson Ch. 9 |
Journal Entry Discussion Entry |
| Week 9 [dates] |
Understanding Social Identity within Social Work |
Read + Complete Social Identity Wheel Exercise + Personal Identity Wheel Exercise (University of Michigan) Read: Stevenson, Ch. 10 |
Research Paper Draft for Peer Edit Due |
| Week 10 [dates] |
Understanding how Power Affects Identity | Read: Stevenson, Ch. 11 | Peer Reflections Edit Due |
| Week 11 [dates] |
Creating Connections with Others in the Context of Power, Oppression, and Privilege |
Watch: Lady Funcke- Social Justice Changemaker Lecture (University of Michigan) Read: Stevenson, Ch. 12 |
Research Paper for Instructor Review (Optional) |
| Week 12 [dates] |
Identify Social Work Practices that Advance Justice for Individuals, Groups, and Communities |
Watch: Social Justice and Ethics: Micro Social Work, Speaker: Andrew Aleman, LCSW
Read: Stevenson, Ch. 13 |
Journal Entry Discussion Entry |
| Week 13 [dates] |
Research Presentations | Read: Stevenson, Ch. 14 |
Research Papers Due Journal Entry Discussion Entry |
| Week 14 [dates] |
Research Presentations | Read: Stevenson, Ch. 15 |
Journal Entry Discussion Entry |
| Week 15 [dates] |
Research Presentations | Read: Stevenson, Ch. 16 + Epilogue | Final Reflections Due |
|
Week 16 |
Final Exam | Final Exam | Final Exam |
Expectations for Student Effort
It is WSU policy that for every hour of in-class instruction, or equivalent online instruction, students should expect at least 2 hours of outside class course preparation in the form of reading, course assignments, and review of previous lectures.
Grading [add more lines if necessary]
| Type of Assignment (tests, papers, etc) | Points | Percent of Overall Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Discussion Posts (10) | 200 | 20% |
| Reflection Journals (10) | 200 | 20% |
| Reflection Paper | 200 | 20% |
| Research Paper | 300 | 30% |
| Attendance & Participation | 100 | 10% |
| Grade | Percent | Grade | Percent |
|---|---|---|---|
| A |
94-100 |
C | 74-76 |
| A- | 90-93 | C- | 70-73 |
| B+ | 87-89 | D+ | 67-69 |
| B | 84-86 | D | 64-66 |
| B- | 80-83 | F | <64 |
| C+ | 77-79 |
Standard rounding procedures will be applied to the percentages to calculate grades. For example, an 89% earns a B+ and 90% earns an A-. A student with an 89.5% will be rounded to a 90%.
Attendance and Make-Up Policy
Social work education involves experiential and collaborative learning and the development of high standards of personal and professional responsibility. Every student contributes as a valuable resource, and peer collaboration is fundamental to the learning milieu. It is important for emerging social workers to begin to express critical course-related ideas and reflections in the classroom. Active participation is essential. Students are expected to be present and on time for class. If students are not able to attend class, they must contact the instructor prior to that session to determine if participation/attendance credits can be awarded in an alternative format. (Emergencies may be excused on a case-by-case basis.)
Please contact your instructor prior to a planned absence such as a school sponsored event, conference, etc. If you have an emergency, please contact your instructor as soon as possible through their WSU email address, preferably prior to the class.
Academic Integrity Statement
You are responsible for reading WSU's Academic Integrity Policy, which is based on Washington State law. If you cheat in your work in this class you will:
- Fail the assignment.
- Be reported to the Center for Community StandardsLinks to an external site..
- Have the right to appeal the decision.
- Not be able to drop the course or withdraw from the course until the appeal process is finished.
If you want to ask for a change in the instructor’s decision about academic integrity, refer to the formLinks to an external site. at the Center for Community StandardsLinks to an external site. website. You must submit the request within 21 calendar days of the decision.
If you have any questions about what you can and cannot do in this course, ask your instructor.