Teaching Note—Teaching Intersectionality: Transforming Cultural Competence Content in Social Work Education

ABSTRACT

Intersectionality has been gaining momentum among social workers as a framework to allow a fuller understanding of the complexity of diverse social identities and the impact of social structures on power, privilege, and oppression. However, the application of intersectionality to teaching in social work education has been relatively absent in the literature. This article describes a 3-hour graduate-level classroom exercise designed to increase knowledge and proficiency of intersectionality. Critical self-reflections of the participants’ experiences are provided to illustrate the evolving growth and awareness that can result from the educational process using this framework. Examples and suggestions for reading assignments and classroom activities are offered. Implications for social work education and future directions are discussed.

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Notes on contributors

Michael Allen Robinson

Michael Allen Robinson an assistant professor at The University of Georgia. Bronwyn Cross-Denny is an Assistant Professor at Sacred Heart University. Karen Kyeunghae Lee is an Assistant Professor at California State University, Fullerton. Lisa Marie Werkmeister Rozas is an Associate Professor at the University of Connecticut. Ann-Marie Yamada is an Associate Professor at the University of Southern California.

Bronwyn Cross-Denny

Michael Allen Robinson an assistant professor at The University of Georgia. Bronwyn Cross-Denny is an Assistant Professor at Sacred Heart University. Karen Kyeunghae Lee is an Assistant Professor at California State University, Fullerton. Lisa Marie Werkmeister Rozas is an Associate Professor at the University of Connecticut. Ann-Marie Yamada is an Associate Professor at the University of Southern California.

Karen Kyeunghae Lee

Michael Allen Robinson an assistant professor at The University of Georgia. Bronwyn Cross-Denny is an Assistant Professor at Sacred Heart University. Karen Kyeunghae Lee is an Assistant Professor at California State University, Fullerton. Lisa Marie Werkmeister Rozas is an Associate Professor at the University of Connecticut. Ann-Marie Yamada is an Associate Professor at the University of Southern California.

Lisa Marie Werkmeister Rozas

Michael Allen Robinson an assistant professor at The University of Georgia. Bronwyn Cross-Denny is an Assistant Professor at Sacred Heart University. Karen Kyeunghae Lee is an Assistant Professor at California State University, Fullerton. Lisa Marie Werkmeister Rozas is an Associate Professor at the University of Connecticut. Ann-Marie Yamada is an Associate Professor at the University of Southern California.

Ann-Marie Yamada

Michael Allen Robinson an assistant professor at The University of Georgia. Bronwyn Cross-Denny is an Assistant Professor at Sacred Heart University. Karen Kyeunghae Lee is an Assistant Professor at California State University, Fullerton. Lisa Marie Werkmeister Rozas is an Associate Professor at the University of Connecticut. Ann-Marie Yamada is an Associate Professor at the University of Southern California.