Soc W 598A: Veterans and their Families
Instructors: Taylene Watson and Walter Kopf
Saturdays 4/1, 4/22, 5/6, 6/3
9:00am-3:50pm
3 credits, SLN: 19332
Grad students can self-register
Interested senior undergrads please submit a waitlist request so we can verify with the instructor
This courses focuses on specialized knowledge needed to practice with members of the military, Veterans and their families. The coursewill expand on the concept of contextual practice using this population as an example. Many students may not work directly with Veteransin the future the content in this course is applicable to contextual practice with all populations. The instructors take the stance that themilitary constitutes a distinct culture. Therefore, one overarching goal of this class is to develop cultural competency in working with thislarge and diverse population. We will explore contextual factors such as racism, gender, ethnic background, sexual orientation andstigma. We will encourage self- reflection to gain an in-depth understanding of oppression, privilege, identity and of the clinician’s own values and beliefs. Ethical dilemmas will be discussed throughout particularly as they relate to social justice. While military trauma andtreatment of trauma will be covered in this class, the course is not primarily about trauma.
Soc W 598D: Social Work Praxis with Trans & Queer Communities
Instructor: Jen Reichenbach Self
Thursdays, 8:30-11:20am
3 credits, SLN: 19335
Grad students can self-register
Interested senior undergrads please submit a waitlist request so we can verify with the instructor
The course, taught through an intersectional gender justice lens, is designed to increase student knowledge about the challenges transgender, queer, gender variant, and non-binary gender identified people experience when accessing social & health services, engage with community centered practice, and navigate exclusively binary (gendered) systems and institutions. This class strengthens students’ intellectual, sociopolitical, and ethical foundations, by examining how an intersectional gender justice framework can be used in equity work and social work praxis. Gender Justice is a liberatory approach to social work praxis, as such, this class highlights trans and queer resiliencies, strengths, and radical approaches to navigating institutions and systems. Each week the class focuses on a system (e.g., family, criminal justice, etc.), analyzes the system and identifies the challenges faced by trans, queer, gender variant, and non-binary gender identified people. Continuing, we distinguish the resiliencies of trans people/communities and locate what resources that are available and analyze what actions social workers can take to lessen harm and advocate for their trans, queer, and non-binary gender clients through an intersectional gender justice framework and liberatory praxis.