Course Syllabus
Course: SW 2400
Division: Social and Behavioral Science
Department: Behavioral Science
Title: Diverse Populations
Semester Approved: Fall 2021
Five-Year Review Semester: Summer 2026
End Semester: Summer 2027
Catalog Description: This course examines social and cultural characteristics of various minority groups and emphasizes the use of a variety of resources for addressing/resolving problems faced by minority groups. It is designed to provide content related to the experiences, needs, and responses of ethnic minorities in the United States in order to build community resources to address/resolve potential problems faced by ethnic minorities. Attention will be given to identifying, exploring, and demonstrating the knowledge, values, and skills essential for multicultural competence in both social work and public educational practices. (This course is cross-listed with EDUC 2400)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 3; Lecture: 3; Lab: 0
Justification: This course is offered as a lower division course at some Utah schools and if articulated will be beneficial to students.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will posses an understanding of the social and cultural characteristics, historical experience, economic and political status of various ethnic groups in the United States. This will be assessed through class discussions, group activities, quizzes/tests, and/or written assignments.
Upon successful completion of this course, students will understand the historical and contemporary impact of inequality, racism and cultural deprivation on individuals, groups and communities. This will be assessed through class discussions, group activities, quizzes/tests, and/or written assignments.
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to demonstrate an initial understanding of an ethnic sensitive work practice model. This will be assessed through class discussions, group activities, quizzes/tests, and/or written assignments.
Upon successful completion of this course, students will understand education and social work values and how they influence practices in a multicultural society. This will be assessed through class discussions, group activities, quizzes/tests, and/or written assignments.
Content:
This course examines the social and cultural characteristics of various minority groups and emphasizes the use of a variety of resources for addressing/resolving problems faced by minority groups. It is designed to provide content related to the experiences, needs, and responses of ethnic minorities in the United States in order to build community resources to address/resolve potential problems faced by ethnic minorities.
- Understanding diversity and how to be culturally competent.
- Understanding racism, prejudice, and bias.
- Working with a diverse population.
- Learning about particular groups.
Key Performance Indicators:
Students will be evaluated on the following:
Final Exam/Project 20 to 30%
Assignments 30 to 40%
Group Work 0 to 20%
Quizzes 10 to 20%
Participation 0 to 10%
Midterm 0 to 20%
Representative Text and/or Supplies:
Cultural Diversity: A Primer for the Human Services by Jerry V. Diller (Current edition)
Pedagogy Statement:
This course will be taught in an engaging manner where students will be taught important information and then given opportunities to apply it. Students will be given opportunities to utilize their critical and creative thinking to gain a better understanding.
A classroom and the teaching that happens within should value diversity and strive to be inclusive. This course will seek out sources of information from a diverse group of experts. This will provide students with a variety of different opinions and will also make the course more welcoming to those of different backgrounds. Students will then be encouraged to add their own thoughts and to consider the needs of these different populations as they do so.
Instructional Mediums:
Lecture
Online
Maximum Class Size: 40
Optimum Class Size: 30
