SOWK 712: Feminist Theory
Prerequisites: Admission to the Graduate Program in Social Work
Credit Hours: 3
This course is designed to provide students with specific knowledge about feminist theory and practice with multiple populations. Key themes and concepts include: basic knowledge of the development of feminist theory, different forms of feminist theory, feminist theories for scoial work practice and a critique of those theories, feminist practice issues/ situations that affect women's and the lives of others. This course also focuses on diverse populations, with particular emphasis on interventions with rural populations and groups that experience social and economic injustices based on race, ethnicity, sexuality, gender, religion, and other factors.
Detailed Description of Course
Topics to be covered are listed in order of when they are covered but include principles of feminist theory, liberal feminist theory, radical social change feminisms, cultural feminism theory and therapy, women of color feminisms, global/ transnational feminisms, and feminist postmodernism.
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
A variety of instructional methods are used in this course, such as lecture/lecture notes or video, group discussion/postings, journaling, group presentations, and various other on-line work. Students are expected to actively participate in class sessions both in person (when offered in person) and on-line.
Goals and Objectives of the Course
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
1) Have an intermediate knowledge of feminist theory, tis different forms and development
2) Apply feminist theory to social work practice and udnerstand the basic elements
of feminist therapy
3) Critique feminist theories and therapies in their application to different populations
an dproblems, particularly in the context of race, class, gender, oppression, rural
environments, etc.
4) Understand how feminist theory frames contextual/social/environmental issues and
their relationship to one's health and mental health.
5) Articulate and debate current issues and situations that affect women's lives and
the lives of others using both feminist theory and other theories.
Assessment Measures
Major Assignments for assessment: self-reflective journal on readings, power point/poster/video group presentation related to feminst theory and practice, and online discussion of readings.
Other Course Information
None
Review and Approval
May 9, 2017