This course will examine theories, social policies and services, social movements, activism and research concerning gender-based violence, and domestic violence (intimate partner violence) in particular. While focusing on domestic violence, the course will address other forms of gender-based violence through an ongoing analysis of interlocking systems of oppression, power and control.
This course is an integrative seminar designed to help students strengthen their critical analysis skills and integrate their knowledge and skills at micro, mezzo, and macro levels. The course encourages the application of these knowledge skills to various levels of practice aimed at ending domestic violence and other forms of gender-based violence, especially social change activities through policy advocacy and community organizing.
Pathway Elective For
- Community Change (Host)
- Global Social Work Practice
- Policy & Political Social Work
Objectives
At the conclusion of this course, students will be able to:
- Apply critical analysis skills to the evaluation and interpretation of research, media, policy, and practice/intervention approaches on the issues of domestic violence and gender-based violence.
- Demonstrate understanding of the structural, historical, political, and sociocultural forces that contribute to and/or sustain gender-based violence, and domestic violence in particular.
- Identify the impacts of sexism, racism, classism, heterosexism, xenophobia, ableism, and other forms of oppression on societal responses to domestic violence and other forms of gender-based and social violence.
- Recognize the underlying theories and ideologies and the strengths and limitations of current societal responses to domestic violence and other forms of gender-based violence in the USA and globally and begin to formulate alternative approaches.
- Demonstrate knowledge and skills in community assessment and policy analysis and in formulating community, system, and policy responses to end domestic violence/gender-based violence in diverse communities in the USA and globally.
- Apply the ethical principles of social work (and related professions) to address the issues of domestic violence and other forms of gender-based violence at micro, mezzo, and macro levels.
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.