SOCIAL WORK: COURSES
47-503. Foundations of Social Policy Analysis
This course introduces the student to the formulation and analysis of social policy. The student will develop policy analysis skills as a base for recommending changes in existing programs or services and for introducing new services. Special attention will be given to using multiple perspectives to analyze the unmet needs of vulnerable populations within the advanced generalist practice framework.
47-504. Foundation Communication Skills in Advanced Social Work Practice
This course introduces students to the various types of communication skills utilized in advanced social work practice. Through in-depth examination of intentional interviewing and counselling skills, students will explore core social work values in relation to practice situations. Content focuses on the critical analysis of particular verbal, non-verbal and written forms of communication. A laboratory format will be employed to build student competencies in the effective use of interactional skills with clients and client systems.
47-515. Professional Writing for Social Work
Students in this course will describe and demonstrate advanced, professional, written communication and composition skills, critical analysis, application of knowledge to practice, and the use of examples in social work writing. Students will review writing guidelines from the current Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association and demonstrate methods for preparing scholarly papers, reflective essays, literature reviews, research proposals and reports, and grant applications. Writing for social work will be illustrated, including case notes, assessments, action plans, reports, and proposals. The ethical considerations and the impact of social work writing will be discussed.
47-523. Challenges in Human Development
This course examines the impact of biological, psychological, and social challenges on human development. These challenges may include physical illness and disability, mental illness and substance abuse, economic adversity (such as chronic poverty, unemployment, underemployment, or balancing work and family responsibilities), family and community violence, and child neglect/abuse. The additional effect of minority status, diversity, and disenfranchised groups will be included. An ecological perspective will be used to understand the individual, family, community, and society issues related to these challenges. Both the impact of these challenges and strategies responding to these challenges will be appraised and critically analyzed.
47-531. Foundations for Advanced Social Work Practice with Individuals
This course develops a theoretical and applied understanding of foundational knowledge for advanced social work practice with individuals from an ecological perspective. This includes an emphasis on multidimensional assessment and the differential application of therapeutic, supportive, educational, and resource management strategies to individuals. Specific attention is given to the needs of diverse and vulnerable populations in the context of social justice.
47-532. Foundations for Advanced Social Work Practice with Groups
This course provides students with a foundation of the theoretical frameworks used in advanced social work practice with groups within an ecological perspective. Students will use selected practice theories for social work with groups to develop knowledge values and skills in critical analysis, differential assessment, planning and intervention, evaluation and termination with client groups. The challenges faced by diverse and vulnerable populations that affect group composition, and development and processes are explored within the context of social justice. Assessment skills are used to identify group strengths, weaknesses, and challenges in formulating effective social work practice with groups.
47-533. Foundations for Advanced Social Work Practice with Families
This course provides students in with a foundation for assessment and intervention with families as a component of advanced social work practice utilizing an ecological perspective. The focus is on the critical analysis and differential application of selected family therapy approaches. Social work, values and skills for assessment and intervention with families are emphasized.
47-534. Foundations for Advanced Social Work Practice with Organizations and Communities
This course uses an ecological perspective to apply advanced social work practice with organizations and communities. It focuses on planning, implementing, and evaluating interventions with communities and human service organizations. Special emphasis is placed on the use of an ecological perspective in addressing the needs and issues of vulnerable populations.
47-547. Advanced Social Work Research: Practice Evaluation
This course prepares students to understand and critically use research in evaluating social work practice with individuals, families and small groups. This course will critically review the theoretical underpinnings of evidence-based social work practice that emphasizes the integration of research and professional practice. Quantitative and qualitative methods appropriate for the evaluation of social work practice with individuals, families and small groups will be explored.
47-550. Social Work Values, Ethics and Anti-Oppressive Practice
This course serves as an overview of the profession of social work and an introduction to advanced generalist practice with an anti-oppressive focus. The goal is to provide an understanding of the nature, history, traditions, and issues of the social work profession as they relate to the development of a distinct knowledge-base, set of values, and code of ethics. During the course, students will examine ethical questions and value dilemmas encountered by social workers in various fields of practice. Through value analysis and the application of ethical principles, the meaning of professionalism and its expression in social work are considered using contemporary practice case studies.
47-570. Field Integration Seminar
This seminar course focuses on the integration of academic and field work experience to advance knowledge, values, and skills as they relate to the development of advanced generalist practice competence. Students will use structured reflection and self-evaluation to understand their own practice in terms of values, ethics, policies, theoretical models, and agency expectations. Students will reflect upon personal values and beliefs and explore solutions to actual issues during their field placements. (This course is evaluated on a pass/fail basis.)
47-571. Master of Social Work Foundation Year Practicum
This course is offered in a field education setting and is designed to assure the practice of advanced social work from the generalist perspective. The foundation practicum comprises 450 hours of supervised social work practice and is completed three and a half days per week through the winter and spring academic terms (January-May). The practicum provides students with the opportunity to incorporate all components of the curriculum.
47-610. Advanced Direct Social Work Practice
From an ecological perspective, this course will examine the application of a range of advanced professional social work theories and models to direct practice with specific vulnerable populations. Founded on a strengths perspective, this course will analyze client empowerment and constructive transactions with the environment. Aimed at enhancing social justice, the course will involve critical analysis of the prevailing worldviews affecting clients. The use of evidence-based practices with clients to bring about change will be analyzed.
47-611. Advanced Indirect Social Work Practice
From an ecological perspective, this course will critically analyze the application of advanced social work theories and models to indirect practice with specific vulnerable populations. Founded on a strengths perspective, the course will analyze indirect practice related to community and organizational empowerment aimed at social justice through activities such as program planning and development, leadership, administration, management, research, policy development, education, mediation, and advocacy. The course will involve a critical analysis of the social, political, and economic conditions affecting vulnerable populations.
47-620. Leadership and the Organizational Context of Practice
This course examines the organizational context of social work practice. Focus of analysis will be organizational development and leadership roles at all levels in the organizational hierarchy. Issues of program evaluation, administrative functions, supervision, conflict resolution, interorganizational relations, and organizational change will be addressed in relation to organization vision, quality improvement and strategic planning. Topics will be adapted to the specific needs of students within the context of their areas of interest in work with specific vulnerable populations.
47-621. Social Justice and Vulnerable Populations
This seminar focuses on the history, meaning, and dynamics of barriers that threaten, preclude or compromise the normal participation of selected vulnerable groups in Canadian social, economic and political institutions. Using a framework of social justice, it employs concepts such as deviance, dependence, need, social control, and oppression.
47-622. Social Policy Analysis and Development
This course focuses on the processes involved in policy formulation, implementation, social change, and advocacy. It applies specific analytic frameworks and theories to issues of Canadian social policy and social justice in relation to vulnerable populations. These are: problem analysis, policy analysis and program analysis.
47-630. Advanced Generalist Practice
This course provides students with an understanding of the theory and use of advanced generalist practice. Students learn to assess the multiple systems within which client systems interact, to identify the locus of the problem within the ecological system and select interventions appropriate to points of entry. It provides the multi-system practice framework where students integrate their field of study, selected vulnerable population and evidenced-based knowledge and skills.
47-640. Advanced Social Work Research: Program Evaluation
This course prepares students to use the evidence-based practitioner-researcher model to critically evaluate social work practice with organizations and communities. Students will learn essential elements of program evaluation including needs assessment, program logic models, implementation and process evaluations, and impact evaluations. Students will learn to develop research proposals, including grant proposals, and to disseminate research findings through formal research reports.
47-680. Internship Seminar
This course provides an opportunity for students to develop a formal internship proposal related to their practice-research interests. Students select a community field education setting in which advanced generalist practice skills are developed and research or evaluation is conducted. Students are expected to produce an internship proposal and learning contract based upon a comprehensive review of the literature and a research or evaluation strategy for advanced generalist social work practice with a particular vulnerable population. The internship proposal typically requires formal ethics review for approval by the University and the field of education setting.
47-681. Advanced Practice Internship
This course is offered in a community field education setting. Students develop practice and research or evaluation skills which will equip them for leadership in advanced generalist social work practice. Students are expected to produce a Formal Internship Report (FIR) which will include an assessment of their individualized learning and skill acquisition and a dissemination plan of their evidence-based practice with their vulnerable population of study.
47-696. Thesis Seminar*
This seminar provides students an opportunity to write a formal thesis proposal. It includes developing a plan of study for presentation to a thesis committee.
47-797. Thesis
The thesis will integrate knowledge of research and evaluation methods to promote the acquisition of evidence-based practice to specific vulnerable populations. The thesis is supervised by the student's thesis committee.
*Given annual enrolment numbers, 47-680 and 47-696 may be offered together, concurrently in module formats.