Motier Haskins CV

My primary teaching goal is to help social work students develop an increased awareness of their values, interests, strengths, and motivations so that they are compassionate and effective practitioners, confidently represent their expertise in interprofessional work settings, and critically engage with complex social problems.

Wide Variety of Courses Taught

I have taught many different courses in the Iowa City and Des Moines Master’s in Social Work programs as well as the Iowa City Bachelor of Arts in Social Work program. Each of these locations has different cultures, different languages, and lifestyles, some are non-traditional students. Some are urban while others are rural. I’m often challenged with the necessity to adjust my teaching method to these different populations of students.

Additionally, I have taught six cultural immersion/study abroad courses to India and four in the Dominican Republic/Haiti.

Pedagogical Approach

I create an active and inclusive learning environment, integrating ethical and social justice theory and tools for ethical reasoning. I provide a variety of opportunities for students to participate in classroom activities, responsive to a range of learning and communication styles. I am a mentee of the Brazilian educator Paulo Freire, author of Pedagogy of the Oppressed He writes “students are not empty vessels to be filled. They should be engaged to co-learn and engaged creatively. They should be encouraged into dialogue and to ask why.” (1970).  A strong internalized social justice understanding is essential for developing social workers. Early in my courses and lectures, I explain my intention to help students develop critical consciousness. The classroom becomes a space where we are colleagues working together to help each other in our development.

Research Interest

My research focuses on Islam, Islamophobia, Diversity Equity and Inclusion Training, Anti Racism and DEI Education in Social Work, Social Work Practice with Muslims, and DV in Muslim Communities. My work incorporates textual and literary studies, history, commentary studies, and also draws om comparative religious studies, and gender studies.

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