Labeling

I read an article recently online at NPR that exposed a school in Ohio for linking homosexuality and mental illness to rape and murder in a course description for a social deviance course. The article is here if you would like to read it: (http://www.npr.org/2012/09/10/160763549/college-course-lumps-homosexuality-rape-murder) Personally, I believe that the university does need to change the course description. Words are extremely powerful, and students reading that course description can be affected negatively by that flippant, ignorant linkage. For homosexual students, they may feel that they are in some way "less than", having their sexual orientation linked to crimes as heinous as murder. No one's self-esteem should be affected after reading a course description! I think it is very important that the social work accrediting body looks at this school's accreditation. As social workers, we have a certain ethical code to adhere by. One of those requirements is DO NO HARM. This course description does not follow that code. Social workers often are the voices for those unable to speak for themselves. I think it is important that the accrediting bodies also be the voice for students who do not have the power to change something, such as a course description.