SWK5320EN - Social Work among Immigrants & Refugees

Course description

An examination of global migration and human vulnerability and its impact on immigrants and refugees. The course focuses on the application of clinical social work assessment and intervention of the migrant groups to help individuals and families. Students will develop knowledge and skills that encompass the diversity of immigration experiences, refugee situations, acculturation and family processes.

How this course benefits students

This course is essential because it will prepare students for practice and leadership roles in the fields of social work and social welfare. Students will be able to identify themselves as professional social workers and conduct themselves accordingly

Why this course is important

This course will give students the practice tools and insight needed to work with immigrant and refugee families. The format for the class may include lecture, discussion, videotapes, small group exercises, panel discussions, and role play. It is designed for maximum student participation and sharing of experiences and insights in order to facilitate the integration of theory and advanced practice.

Credit hours
3 hours
Subject area
Social Work
Educational level
Master
Learning type
Instructional
Prerequisites
None
Upcoming terms
Pending
* Schedule subject to change. Please contact the Registrar's office with schedule questions.
Professor
Dr. Olivia Owusu-Boakyewaah, Professor of Social Ministry

How this course relates to missional core values

Biblically based

apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment

Missionally driven

and apply critical thinking to inform and communicate professional judgment when working with immigrant and refugees.

Contextually informed

When the alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God. Leviticus 19:33-34. The world is becoming increasingly globalized; more people are leaving their homelands to seek better lives and opportunities elsewhere. There are many diverse and complex reasons for migration, ranging from economic necessity, war, or some type of persecution. As Christians, we are called to love our neighbors. The Bible is unambiguous in calling us to welcome aliens and strangers in our land, and to love them as we love ourselves. This course will be built on the biblical principles as stated in Leviticus 19:33-34.

Interculturally focused

This course will enhance the mission work of the clinical social worker through work with the immigrant community.

Practically minded

In the US, immigrant families constitute a large and growing proportion of the population. About one-fourth of children born in this country are either immigrants or children of immigrants. Immigrant groups are more culturally diverse, have limited financial and social resources, experience higher poverty rates. Therefore, they are a population that seems to have higher need for attention. This course serves as an empowerment approach to social problems. It will highlight cultural adjustment and access to language, economic, health, and education services and benefits as defined by policies and laws. Specific problem areas related to immigrants and refugees will include child welfare, trafficking in persons, interpersonal violence, mental and physical disabilities, aging and intergenerational issues, and political conflict, detention and torture.

Experientially transformed

The course focuses on immigrants and refugees and examines how clinical social worker will be able to serve their needs.