Class Descriptions

Counseling and Advocacy with LGBTQIA2S+ Adults

SW709

Credits:	1
Prerequisites:	None

Pathway Associations

Community Change
Global
Interpersonal Practice	Elective (Host)
Mgmt & Leadership
Policy & Political
Program Evaluation
Older Adults	Elective
Children & Families

Course Description

This course will introduce and address issues of concern to interpersonal practice clients across the lifespan who identify as Transgender, Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay, Queer or questioning, focusing on the basic knowledge, interpersonal practice and advocacy skills it takes to become increasingly competent in providing counseling and advocacy for people who are in these marginalize, yet highly resilient, groups. From a strength-based perspective, this course will focus on basic social work knowledge and understanding of these groups, the social injustice and stigma facing these groups, but ultimately, how to engage, assess and effectively intervene with current, associated issues through therapy and advocacy. This course will also address self-exploration and ethical dilemmas for social work providers with TBLGQ people, and include real practice experiences with people from our local community. Students will be encouraged to actively engage in the course.

Objectives

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
1.Become conversant in affirmative practice principles with LGBTQIA people and communities
2.Understand basic social work knowledge to engage with LGBTQIA clients effectively, especially focused on checking our assumptions and growing the relational-cultural skills in questioning and commenting of joining, empathy, mutuality, and use of self
3.Learn the history and progress of the LGBTQIA civil rights movement
4.Be able to identify and assess the stresses and the strengths of LGBTQIA individuals, families and groups toward resolution of presenting issues and problems of concern to social work
5.Gain basic knowledge to analyze the economic, social, and health issues associated with the current socio-political impacts and health policy on LGBTQIA populations
6.Understand LGBTQIA issues and practice engagement skills over the life-span
7.Be able to assess ethical and culturally sensitive responses to LGBTQIA people with specific awareness of the unique intersections of identity
8.Be able to use current information about LGBTQIA people to effectively advocate for clients
9.Learn some basics of empowering community organization models with LGBTQ people from examples provided in the class

Design

This course is designed to be highly interactive and will rely on active participation from all members. We will draw on knowledge (research about LGBTQ people and communities), theory (affirmative practice and empowerment practice models), and practice (reflexivity, strengths-based assessment) in order to inform a comprehensive approach to social work practice with LGBTQ people and communities. The course will provide real case examples and practice experiences that expand the critical interpersonal skills and ethical considerations necessary to engage effectively with LGBTQ clients, focus on advocacy within systems associated with social work (e.g., schools), and community organizations.

Intensive Focus on Privilege, Oppression, Diversity and Social Justice (PODS)

This course integrates PODS content and skills with a special emphasis on the identification of theories, practice and/or policies that promote social justice, illuminate injustices and are consistent with scientific and professional knowledge. Through the use of a variety of instructional methods, this course will support students developing a vision of social justice, learn to recognize and reduce mechanisms that support oppression and injustice, work toward social justice processes, apply intersectionality and intercultural frameworks and strengthen critical consciousness, self-knowledge and self-awareness to facilitate PODS learning.