Racism and Social Justice Implications for the Helping Professions.

The nature and impact of racism will be defined and understood through historical, structural, intergroup, and psychological perspectives to support the development of human service majors. The social construction of individual and group racial and ethnic identities and their relationship to oppression, prejudice, discrimination and powerlessness in social and interpersonal contexts will be explored and their impact on individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities. Students will have an opportunity to examine their own experiences of both privilege and oppression. Implications for practice that is strengths oriented and culturally sensitive will be explored. The unique challenges and dilemmas that students of color, multiracial students and White students encounter in practice will be examined. Students will learn to critically examine theories, concepts, and models of practice for racial and cultural bias. The course will combine lecture, discussion, and experiential learning as students have an opportunity to examine the impact of racism in their clinical practices and in the broader American society.  

NO PERMISSION NEEDED TO REGISTER