Class Descriptions

Multicultural, Multilingual Organizing

SW657

Course Description

This course will examine multicultural, multilingual organizing as a process of promoting intergroup relations and social development at the community level. Included will be content on efforts by diverse groups ( inclusive of the following dimensions: ability, age, class, color, culture, ethnicity, family structure, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), marital status, national origin, race, religion or spirituality, sex, and sexual orientation, as well community of residence) to maintain their identities while also interacting and cooperating across cultural boundaries. Students will apply existing practice to multicultural situations and develop emergent skills for the future.
This course will examine concepts and techniques of multicultural, multilingual organizing. Relevant strategies and tactics that promote positive intergroup relations and pluralism at the community level will be analyzed (e.g., interethnic planning and multigroup coalition-building). Students will be prepared for the roles that social workers can expect to serve in building a racially, ethnically, and religiously heterogeneous society.

Objectives

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:

1. Identify the forces that facilitate and limit multicultural, multilingual organizing in a pluralist society. (Practice Behavior 10.b.CO)
2. Define key practice concepts that affect relevant organizing strategies and tactics (e.g., oppression, racism, empowerment, pluralism, sensitivity, tolerance, and mutual respect). (Practice Behavior 5.CO)
3. Critically analyze existing community organization theory and practice from a multicultural perspective. (Practice Behaviors 3.CO, 4.CO, 10.d.CO)
4. Apply practice theory and social science concepts to the analysis of problems and issues directly affecting specific population groups. (Practice Behaviors 6.CO, 9.CO)
5. Design community intervention strategies which specify tactics and roles to address problems and issues affecting diverse population groups (e.g., ability, age, class, color, culture, ethnicity, family structure, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), marital status, national origin, race, religion or spirituality, sex, and sexual orientation). (Practice Behaviors 4.CO, 10.c.CO)
6. Assess community-based needs in ways that strengthen social diversity and builds organizational capacity that strengthens the representation of diverse groups). (Practice Behaviors 4.CO, 10.a.CO, 10.b.CO)
7. Contrast existing community organization practice with emergent multicultural strategies, tactics, and roles. (Practice Behavior 3.CO)
8. Recognize and address issues of ethics and values arising in practice situations. (Practice Behaviors 1.CO, 2.CO)

Design

Instructors may include readings, participation in discussions, written assignments, and individual and group exercises. Emphasis will be placed on experiential learning to strengthen cultural self-awareness and community practice skills. Guest speakers from the campus and community may be invited to address special topics, and there also may be visits to community organizations to speak with multicultural/multilingual organizers and learn from their experiences. Videos may be shown throughout the course to present a national and international perspective.