Academic Calendar

Social Work (SWRK)

SWRK 6010  Data Analysis for Social Work Research  3 cr  

An intermediate course in the analysis of quantitative social work data. The course will emphasize application and interpretation of analytical techniques useful in the pursuit of social justice through social work.

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Pre or co-requisite: SWRK 7620 or instructor approval. Priority to be provided to MSW students in course registration.

SWRK 6020  Social Work Practice Seminar  6 cr  

Introduces students to ecological and other generalist practice models in the provision of social services. Attention is given to key contextual aspects of social work practice such as gender, poverty, and culture in the study of professional roles and ethics. Intervention modalities considered range from direct practice with individuals to strategies of community change.

SWRK 6030  Canadian Social Welfare Policy  6 cr  

An examination of the elements of ideology, and the application of competing ideological systems in the study of social welfare policy. This course also examines the history of Canadian social welfare from European contact to contemporary developments.

SWRK 6040  Anti-Oppressive Social Work Practice  3 cr  

An Overview of Anti-Oppressive social work practice. Focuses on application of this approach to a wide variety of service participants and the connections between policy and practice. Implications for the profession are explored.

SWRK 6050  Field Practice  6 cr  

An educationally focused practice experience where the student carries a sustained professional role as a beginning practitioner. Requires 450 hours of time including an orientation program, engagement in practicum activities under supervision, educational contact time with the field instructor and evaluation of performance. For Pre-MSW students only. Subject to satisfactory completion and reports, students will be graded on a pass/fail basis.

SWRK 6060  Social Work and Aboriginal People  3 cr  

Focuses on the analysis of social welfare policy and social work practice from an Aboriginal perspective. The influence of colonization as an attribute of oppression is examined along with an exploration of developments oriented to the goal of decolonization and empowerment.

SWRK 6070  Qualitative Research in Social Work  3 cr  

An intermediate course in qualitative approaches for research for the pursuit of social justice through social work. It will examine various approaches to the design and analysis of qualitative social work research.

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Pre or co-requisite: SWRK 7620 or instructor approval. Priority to be provided to MSW students in course registration.

SWRK 7002  Foundation in Social Work Practice and the Profession  3 cr  

Situates the social work profession within the context of a settler colonial state and examines the intersection of knowledge, theory, values, ethics, and power relations that form the foundation of the profession and shape interventions and norms within social service agencies.

SWRK 7180  Advanced Field Practice  0 cr  

A student directed specialized practice experience where the focus is on the integration of theory, research and practice. Requires 450 hours of supervised, advanced practice following approval of a proposal developed by the student. Students will be graded on a pass/fail basis. Pre or Co Requisite: SWRK 7190.

SWRK 7190  Integrating Theory and Research in Advanced Field Practice  3 cr  

Requires application of theory and research to analysis of selected activities undertaken in Advanced Field Practice. Pre or Co- requisite: SWRK 7180.

SWRK 7220  Selected Topics in Social Work  3 cr  

A tutorial approach which permits the graduate student to develop an area of concentration independently but with assistance and mutual work with a faculty member.

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: written permission of instructor.

SWRK 7230  Problem Seminar  3 cr  

Students focus on the theory, social policy and social work practice implications of a given social problem area.

SWRK 7280  Readings in Social Work and Social Welfare Research  3 cr  

A tutorial in specialized research methodology to be offered only to students who have highly specialized research interests which are not commonly offered in other courses.

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: an introductory research course and consent of the instructor.

SWRK 7300  Clinical Evaluation of Social Work Interventions  3 cr  

This course examines methods of evaluating clinical social work interventions with individuals, couples, families, and other small groups.

SWRK 7430  Evaluation Research in Social Work Practice  3 cr  

A course focused on the development of knowledge and skills in applying methods of evaluation to policies and programs in the human services. Analytical and practice skills in program evaluation are developed through an examination of theories, models, and case study applications.

SWRK 7440  Policy Analysis in Social Work Practice  3 cr  

A course focused on the development of knowledge and skills for planning social policies and social programs with special attention to the importance of policy analysis. Analytical and practice skills are developed through case studies and a critical review of theories and models.

SWRK 7450  Advanced Research Methods 1  3 cr  

An overview of design and methodology options in quantitative and qualitative social work research, with special emphasis on practice in community settings.

SWRK 7460  Advanced Research Methods 2  3 cr  

Advanced quantitative analysis of social work policy and practice, with emphasis on multivariate analysis techniques.

SWRK 7470  Advanced Research Methods 3  3 cr  

Advanced qualitative analysis of social work policy and practice, with emphasis on analyzing appropriate case studies, and interview and documentary information.

SWRK 7520  Dissertation Seminar  0 cr  

A required non-credit course on special issues to support students in preparing their formal dissertation proposals. Topics include scholarly findings, research methodology, and data analysis. Graded as P/F.

SWRK 7530  Critical Issues in Social Work  3 cr  

An opportunity for students to engage in the study of a specific field or topic in social work. Taken as a course, tutorial or offered as a special Ph.D. seminar when numbers permit.

SWRK 7600  Critical Perspectives and Social Work  3 cr  

This course focuses on exploring the relationship between critical social theories and social work. Students will examine social work theory and practice from critical theoretical perspectives and analyze their current and past policy and practice experiences from these perspectives. Priority to be provided to MSW students in course registration.

Mutually Exclusive: SWRK 7720

SWRK 7620  Paradigms, Methodologies, and Methods for Social Work Research  3 cr  

An intermediate course that provides an overview of research paradigms, methodologies, and methods. Students will be prepared to employ research as critical consumers, mobilizers, and producers of knowledge to further social work based on social justice. Priority to be provided to MSW students in course registration.

SWRK 7630  Advanced Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families  3 cr  

This course provides the foundation for advanced social work practice with individuals and families in their social contexts. Perspectives for intervention are examined and critiqued including ecological, systems, postmodern, indigenous, and structural approaches.

SWRK 7640  Application and Critique of Theory and Research in SocialWork Practice with Individuals and Families  3 cr  

Using supervised practice experiences, this course develops advanced skills for assessment, intervention, and evaluation of direct practice with individuals and families within the context of social work's commitment to addressing social injustice.

SWRK 7650  Advanced Social Work Practice with Groups  3 cr  

This course will increase students' knowledge and skill in reflexive social work practice with groups in a broad range of health and social service settings.

SWRK 7660  Social Work Perspectives on Practice with Networks, Neighbourhoods and Communities  3 cr  

This course aims to develop students' knowledge and skills in reflexive social work practice with networks, neighbourhoods and communities.

SWRK 7670  Community Mobilization: Application of Concepts in Social Work Practice with Groups, Networks and Co  3 cr  

This course integrates theories about community with practical application. Students will also gain knowledge of agencies based in community practice. This course will extend over two terms.

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Pre or co-requisite: SWRK 7660.

SWRK 7700  Grounding Our Foundation in Indigenous Knowledges and Social Work  0 cr  

This course provides a general overview of Indigenous approaches to healing and helping. Connections to social work practice/policy are identified. The course is focused on experiential and participatory learning and involves a 5-day intensive retreat. Students will be graded on a pass/fail basis.

SWRK 7710  Remembering Our Histories  3 cr  

This course will set a foundation for understanding historical perspectives of Indigenous knowledges in relation to social work. Raise awareness of traditional and spiritual; connections to languages, families, communities, nations, and lands to establish an understanding of "relationship" in Indigenous ways of being. Students will be graded on a pass/fail basis.

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: SWRK 7700 (P).

SWRK 7720  Critical Theory and Indigenous Peoples  3 cr  

This course will review critical social theories with primary focus on colonialism and social justice, in relation to social work. Anti-colonialism, anti-oppressive approaches, feminist approaches and other critical perspectives, in relation to Indigenous Peoples, will be examined from Indigenous perspectives. May not hold with SWRK 7600. Mutually Exclusive: SWRK 7600.

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: SWRK 7700 (P).

Mutually Exclusive: SWRK 7600

SWRK 7730  Indigenous Research Methodologies and Knowledge Development  3 cr  

This course will examine research epistemologies and methodologies based in Indigenous ontologies and social experiences in the context of social work research with Indigenous Peoples. The course will present the influences of colonization, Indigenism, and decolonization on knowledge development.

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: SWRK 7700 (P).

SWRK 7740  Indigenous Peoples, Identity, and Social Work  3 cr  

This course will give students an understanding of how they see themselves and how their relationships at individual, family, clan, community, and nation levels contribute to identity development. It deepens understanding of how people view themselves and react in contemporary contexts. Students will be graded on a pass/fail basis.

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: SWRK 7700 (P).

SWRK 7750  Indigeneity, Power, Privilege, and Social Work  3 cr  

This course will examine identity development influenced by gender, ethnicity, Indigeneity, internalized oppression, aboriginalism, internalized domination, whiteness, white privilege, racism, and in relation to social policies and social work practice with individuals, families, communities, and nations.

SWRK 7760  Project/Thesis Seminar 1  0 cr  

This course will focus on initiating knowledge development in practice settings. Students will learn to apply Indigenous and critical social work epistemological and methodological concepts by finalizing their project/thesis proposal and beginning their projects. Students will be graded on a pass/fail basis.

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: SWRK 7730 (C+).

SWRK 7770  Social Challenges and Indigenous Helping Practices  3 cr  

This course will teach students how Indigenous Elders, traditional teachers and /or medicine people identify, interpret and meet current social challenges. The course looks at how positive identities and relationships are fostered through traditional Indigenous helping practices and how they currently inform social work. Students will be graded on a pass/fail basis.

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: SWRK 7740 (P).

SWRK 7780  Social Work, Social Challenges, and Indigenous Peoples  3 cr  

This course will focus on Indigenous knowledges shared through group participation in Indigenous helping practices. It looks at how these practices could be supported by social workers in communities and organizations for people facing social challenges. Students will be graded on a pass/fail basis.

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: SWRK 7770 (P).

SWRK 7790  Project/Thesis Seminar 2  0 cr  

This course will continue to guide students on their application/research of Indigenous practice knowledges in their chosen projects/theses and to ensure the student is actively implementing the projects/theses as outlined in their approved proposals. Students will be graded on a pass/fail basis.

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: SWRK 7760 (P).

SWRK 7800  Indigenism  3 cr  

This course will focus on Indigenous knowledges shared through group participation in Indigenous helping practices. It looks at how these practices could be supported by social workers in communities and organizations for people facing social challenges. Students will be graded on a pass/fail basis.

SWRK 7810  Anti-Colonial Social Work  3 cr  

This course will focus on design and participation in community service and research projects. This course will challenge the student to include reflection, application, and evaluation of critical social work knowledge and research on how the student project (s) and/or action(s) contribute to development of anticolonialism, social justice, and Indigenism.

SWRK 7820  Project Seminar 3  3 cr  

Students in this course will complete their major projects. Students will also complete a written paper and oral presentation addressing their respective projects.

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: SWRK 7790 (P).

SWRK 8010  Perspectives on Knowledge for Social Work  3 cr  

A seminar focusing on the definition, development, legitimization, and transmission of knowledge for social work practice. A range of approaches will be discussed including scientific approaches (logical positivism), post-modern approaches, indigenous and culturally based approaches, and critical approaches.

SWRK 8020  Development of the Social Work Profession  3 cr  

A seminar focusing on the development of social work from mainstream and marginalized people's perspectives (including Aboriginal people and women), and its relationship; to current professional issues. Histories, ideological, economic, theoretical, and political factors will be considered in examining selected fields of practice.

SWRK 8030  Advanced Qualitative Research in Social Work  6 cr  

A seminar and laboratory course in the understanding and use of a wide range of epistemological and methodological approaches to research related to social work. This will include a focus on the views and practices of Aboriginal peoples, women, and other marginalized persons.

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Pre-requisite: a Master's level qualitative research course (B) taken within five years or instructor approval.

SWRK 8040  Advanced Quantitative Research in Social Work  6 cr  

A seminar and laboratory course in the use of multivariate statistics in analyzing experimental, quasi-experimental, survey and administrative data related to social policy, social services, and social work practice.

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Pre-requisite: Master's level quantitative research course (B) taken within five years or instructor approval.

SWRK 8100  Social Work Past and Present: Trends, Institutions and Practices  3 cr  

Development of Social Work in Canada, with international comparisons, through examination of social processes and intellectual trends shaping the profession, such as colonization, Indigenous issues, feminism, neoliberalism and globalization, and highlighting of practices, methods and models. Cannot be held with SWRK 8020.

Equiv To: SWRK 8020

SWRK 8200  Indigenizing and Decolonizing the Global Academy: The Role of Social Work Education and Practice  3 cr  

This Seminar will provide a context for understanding the connections between colonization, education and Indigenous peoples around the world. It is designed to engage students in a deeper, critical and fuller discussion and understanding of the world (ontology) and beliefs about knowledge (epistemology), and values (axiology) with regards to Indigenization, colonization and decolonization of the academy of social work