This course prepares students for effective professional intervention in a diverse world, and provides an understanding of how discrimination and oppression operate to limit the life opportunities of members of minority, vulnerable, at risk, and disenfranchised groups. A conceptual framework for understanding diversity, discrimination and oppression is presented and used to understand discrimination based on factors such as race, ethnicity, social class, gender, and sexual orientation. Selected theoretical perspectives are used to critically analyze the manifestations of discrimination and oppression and their impact on affected populations. Social world’s responses to discrimination and inequality, including strategies for intervention, are also examined.
This course, which is the first of two family practice courses, focuses on theories and evidence-based practice models for working with populations-at-risk. Family practice models are critiqued with respect to their efficacy for work with Latinos. The course builds on a generalist foundation which includes a theoretical framework for working with families.
This course is taken concurrently with the concentration internship (SOCW 6375 or SOCW 6975) and focuses on the application of evidence-based family practice models with populations-at-risk. This entails formulating family assessments, developing treatment plans, establishing therapeutic relationships, applying intervention strategies and evaluating outcomes using relevant family therapy approaches that can also be adapted for work with couples and individual clients.
Social work practice implications of the characteristics of the Latino population of the Southwest. The course will analyze distinctive practice in engagement, communication, and service with Latino clients, differential modalities and helping processes for clinical and macro practice with this population.
This course examines diverse ways to assess mental health functioning with an emphasis on understanding, analyzing and assessing mental disorders and formulating treatment plans according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (latest edition). Attention is given to the significance of gender, race and ethnicity, age, sexual orientation and culture in assessing mental health and mental disorders. Assessment models are analyzed in terms of their consideration of biological, psychological, social, cultural and spiritual aspects of human behavior. Coping strategies, adaptation and resiliency are addressed in the assessment process and a strengths-based perspective is used in formulating treatment plans. Attention is also given to the role of psychopharmacology in treatment. Criticisms and debates regarding the DSM are addressed.
This course provides advanced skills in policy formulation, analysis, evaluation, advocacy, social marketing, lobbying, international development policy, and social action mobilization.
This course focuses on knowledge and skills needed for advanced clinical social work practice with individual clients. Emphasis is given to the therapeutic process, empowerment and strengths perspectives, and clinical strategies for change. A variety of therapeutic models are examined with attention given to their efficacy for work with Latinos and vulnerable and at-risk populations.
Emphasis is on the use of group dynamics and techniques to treat mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders, conditions and addictions.
This practicum course requires completion of 250 clock hours in an approved field setting which prepares interns for family focused practice with Latino individuals and families.
This practicum course requires completion of 250 clock hours in an approved field setting which prepares interns for family focused practice with Latino individuals and families.
