SSS 846 Social Justice: Theory and Practice
This course focuses on theory and practice that helps social workers conceptualize what social justice looks like and critically assess organizational, community, and policy contexts in collaboration with marginalized and oppressed populations. Students will develop a sophisticated understanding of theories of social justice; prevailing social, economic, and political contexts that shape living and working conditions; and approaches to engagement, assessment, and problem identification rooted in anti-oppressive and anti-racist perspectives. Specifically, students will apply social justice frameworks to analyze social policies and develop policy recommendations that are intentional about ameliorating suffering and contributing to more just living conditions. Additionally, students will develop an understanding of social justice praxis in organizational, community, and policy contexts - focusing on participatory and reflexive methods of engagement and assessment, restorative justice practices, and planning for social change. At the end of the course, students will propose a plan to engage in a needs assessment using participatory principles, in the context of their choosing.