Dec 26, 2024  
2022-2023 University Bulletin 
    
2022-2023 University Bulletin [ARCHIVED BULLETIN]

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SWK 622 - Negotiating Social, Cultural and Psychological Borders

3 Credit Hours
Historically a multi-ethnic and multi-racial country, the United States is becoming increasingly diverse as a consequence of global immigration. Students will learn demographic trends related to immigration and address the experience of immigrant groups by understanding how the reception by the host society, racialization, class, gender, and characteristics of the ethnic community impact the adaptation of immigrant/refugee groups. Grounded in this contextual understanding, students address specific issues for immigrant and refugee families such as inter-generational issues, language and cultural maintenance, family separations, and histories of trauma and political torture. This class emphasizes the processes of critical inquiry as an important vehicle to bring about social justice.  While it is true that immigration and subsequent race and ethnic diversity has always been a source of creativity and strength for our nation, the degree of incorporation into U.S. society has varied for different immigrant groups. Consequently, critical conceptual analyses that will lead to effective social action and advocacy entails understanding the critical role that diversity and race plays in how social problems and immigration are conceptualized and addressed. Toward this end, this course deemphasizes celebrations of racial and ethnic diversity and instead teaches students to critically examine how diversity is being structured and reflected in communities and institutions.

Prerequisite(s): SWK 513   and SWK 553  



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