101435: Critical Consciousness and Cross-Cultural/Intersectional Social Work Practice: A Case Analysis

About the Course:

Social workers have an ethical responsibility to address the dynamics and consequences of oppression and to promote social justice. Working across cultures and identities requires expanding comfort zones, owning power and privilege, and engaging in active self-reflection that interrogates what is held to be true. These are vital components of “critical consciousness” and critical approaches to practice. This article presents a complex case example of a refugee Muslim family to articulate the processes that workers can use to deepen critical consciousness when working with clients. The authors describe ways to attend to the complex intersections of gender, age, ethnicity, religion, immigration status, and socioeconomic status in multicultural and socially just practice within complex agency and environmental contexts. COURSE SYLLABUS I Theoretical Frameworks and Relevant Constructs II Case Analysis III Discussion and Conclusions

Publication Date:

2008/Vol. 89, No. 3

Authors

Zulema E. Suárez, MSW, PhD; Peter A. Newman, MSW, PhD; Beth Glover Reed, PhD

About the Authors:

Associate Professor, Adelphi University School of Social Work

Associate Professor, University of Toronto Faculty School of Social Work

Associate Professor, University of Michigan, Faculty of Social Work and Women’s Studies

Recommended For:

This course is recommended for social workers, counselors, psychologists, and other human services and behavioral health professionals who seek knowledge about social work practice. It is appropriate for participants with introductory to intermediate levels of knowledge about the topic.

Course Objectives:

1. Examine the application of a critical approach to a complex case involving a Muslim family.

2. Explore the components of critical consciousness and critical approaches to practice.