Social Work (SWRK)
This course introduces students to social welfare in Canada, its historical development in Indigenous and Euro-Canadian societies, and the political, economic, social, cultural, and geographic factors that have shaped (and continue to shape) it. This course also examines the structure and operation of the major social programs/policies that are constituent parts of the Canadian social welfare state. May not be held with SWRK 3131 or the former SWRK 3130.
Mutually Exclusive: SWRK 3130, SWRK 3131
Attributes: Recommended Intro Courses
Centered in creation stories, Indigenous knowledges, epistemologies, sovereignty, natural laws, ceremonies, relationships to land, place, and all of creation, this course provides an examination of the spiritual and relational aspects of existence on Turtle Island. The course examines colonial policy, experiences of colonization and historical trauma, treaties and land agreements, through the lens of resistance. Depending on the instructor, this course may have a field trip. Contact the Director of your program site for details. May not be held with SWRK 4220 or SWRK 4221.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Pre- or corequisite: 6 credit hours of INDG at the 1000 level or above.
This course examines social work approaches to understanding social justice and human rights in both local and global contexts with a focus on diverse communities and practice settings. Emphasis is placed on how social workers can mitigate injustice and advance human rights at micro, mezzo, and macro levels of practice.
Attributes: Recommended Intro Courses
This course examines information, perspectives, and competencies needed to integrate social work practice with promoting community health and well-being in public health and healthcare.
Attributes: Recommended Intro Courses
Developing professional identity is essential to social work education. This course traces social work’s shift from a volunteer activity into the professional realm. The course offers the historical, philosophical, and theoretical foundations for supporting social work students to develop their professional identities. It includes a brief examination of the emergence of social work practices across time and context through periods of industrialization, the post-war expansion of human services, and into our present neoliberal era. The course attempts to situate the profession within influencing discourses (ethos, virtues, risk, and identity) and theoretical perspectives (critical theories, de-coloniality and resurgence) and invites students to situate themselves with the competing and emerging ideas of the profession’s future. The course introduces students to current regulatory frameworks for social work professionals across jurisdictional contexts. May not be held with SWRK 3141 or the former SWRK 3140.
Mutually Exclusive: SWRK 3140, SWRK 3141
Attributes: Recommended Intro Courses
This course explores the role of social work practice in relation to ideas of community and family well-being. Wellness is examined from an integrative perspective that includes family, relational, spiritual, social, and cultural domains and across different social work settings. May not be held with SWRK 2090 or SWRK 2093 or the former or SWRK 2091. Registration restricted to Social Work students.
This course introduces students to the knowledge, theories, and skills necessary for social work practice from anti-racist perspectives. The course involves students in an examination of various frameworks required for anti-racist social work practice. May not be held with SWRK 4210 or SWRK 4211 or SWRK 4213. Registration restricted to Social Work students.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: SWRK 1220.
Mutually Exclusive: SWRK 4210, SWRK 4211
This course examines structural and cultural colonization, focusing primarily on the history of institutions of social control, resulting in criminalization and clientization of Indigenous peoples. In response to government social control, Indigenous efforts towards self-governance, Indigenization, and decolonization are explored as they relate to Indigenous epistemologies, modes of helping, emerging practices such as cultural safety and resurgence of Indigenous and anti-oppressive approaches to social work practice and the call for reconciliation. May not be held with SWRK 4220 or SWRK 4221. Registration restricted to Social Work students.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: SWRK 1210.
This course provides a critical examination of social work practice in the context of community development. The course integrates theory and policy with community development methods of social work practice at micro, meso and macro levels. Registration restricted to Social Work students.
This course examines fundamental communication and relational skills within the context of social work practice. The course offers an exploration of self-knowledge, emotional skills, listening skills, caring, and skills of inquiry each of which is necessary for beginning social workers. May not be held with SWRK 2081 or the former SWRK 2080.
Equiv To: SWRK 2080, SWRK 2081
Attributes: Recommended Intro Courses
This is an introduction to the field of policy and its importance to social work practice. Specifically, to the skills of policy analysis and advocacy as forms of social work practice and social justice. Analytical and practice skills are developed through applying the concept of ideology as a useful policy analysis framework. Students will gain knowledge of how social justice can be advanced by means of thoughtful policy advocacy. Open to non-Social Work students with a minimum of 54 credit hours and with instructor permission. May not be held with SWRK 2113, the former SWRK 1310 or the former SWRK 1311.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: SWRK 1200 or SWRK 3131 or the former SWRK 3130.
Mutually Exclusive: SWRK 1310, SWRK 1311, SWRK 2113
Students are introduced to a broad range of theories and will develop an understanding of how people and environments reciprocally affect each other. Particular emphasis is placed on understanding how gender, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic factors, age, ability, and sexual orientation contribute to and influence human behaviour throughout the lifespan.
Mutually Exclusive: SWRK 2093
An examination of the emergence of the Canadian welfare state from its various colonial inheritances to the Canada Assistance Plan. Social, political, economic, religious, geographical, demographic and cataclysmic factors influencing the development of the welfare state are examined and analyzed May not be held with SWRK 4298.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: Advisor approval and SWRK 1310.
Equiv To: SWRK 2111
Mutually Exclusive: SWRK 1313
An examination of the social aspects of aging, including cultural norms, socio-economic factors, and historical events. Emphasis on understanding the aging process as a life transition involving adaptation through interaction with social, psychological, emotional, spiritual, and environmental determinants. May not be held with FMLY 2650, REC 2650, SWRK 2651, or the former HMEC 2650. (A required Option in Aging course.)
(Seminar Required) A first educationally directed field experience in which the student will have the opportunity to assume responsibility for social work engagement, assessment, planning, intervention and evaluation, integrating theory from class. As well as scheduled integrative seminar activities led by university instructors that facilitate the integration of knowledge, values and skills gained from other SWRK courses, past experiences, and field placements. The course includes involvement with the agency in planning for, and engaging in, practice activity, and evaluation of performance, Graded as pass/fail. May not be held with SWRK 3151, SWRK 3152, SWRK 3220, SWRK 3240, or SWRK 3250.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisites: SWRK 1240 (or the former SWRK 3140), SWRK 1310, SWRK 2030 (or the former SWRK 2080), SWRK 2090, and consent of course instructor (Field Coordinator).
Equiv To: SWRK 3151
PLAR is a self-study course in which the student (upon acceptance) will have the opportunity to demonstrate basic knowledge as required of all students in first field placement. Students will be required to demonstrate learning in social work engagement, assessment, planning, intervention and evaluation, as well as integration of values and ethics and theoretical frameworks as attained in prerequisite foundation courses. Applicants who have been accepted and register in SWRK 3152 in lieu of first field placement, SWRK 3150, will be required to complete workbook assignments on or before designated due dates and to contact the PLAR Assessor when additional classification or support is required. Graded as pass/fail. May not be held with SWRK 3152, SWRK 3220, SWRK 3240, or SWRK 3250.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisites: SWRK 1240 (or the former SWRK 3140), SWRK 1310, SWRK 2030 (or the former SWRK 2080), SWRK 2090, and consent of course instructor (Field Coordinator).
Equiv To: SWRK 3150
With a focus on social justice, diversity, structural systems change through critical analysis, this course is centered in the deconstruction of social work practice and social welfare policy from a feminist perspective. May not be held with SWRK 4210 or SWRK 4213 or the former SWRK 4211. Registration restricted to Social Work students.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: WOMN 1000 level or above. Pre- or corequisite: SWRK 2000.
This course is an introduction to social work research that prepares students to be critical, effective, and ethical consumers of research in social work and will provide an opportunity to become familiar with topics and issues relevant to social work research that make it distinct from other disciplines. Students will learn to apply research to social work practice, and how to use social work practice to inform research. May not be held with SWRK 3100, SWRK 3103, or the former SWRK 3101. Registration restricted to Social Work students.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisites: (SWRK 1240 or SWRK 3141 or the former SWRK 3140) and SWRK 2010.
Mutually Exclusive: SWRK 3100, SWRK 3101, SWRK 3103
This course will introduce factors associated with immigration and the increasing number of immigrant and refugee (IR) populations in Canada. It will then provide students with the knowledge and skills required to respond to the current realities of immigrant and refugee individuals, families, and communities in Canada. Depending on the instructor, this course may have a field trip. Contact the Director of your program site for details. Registration restricted to Social Work students.
This course emphasizes social work from Indigenous epistemologies and ways of being; it outlines the linkages between First Nations, Metis and Inuit (FNMI) self-governance, legislation and policy. It overlays concepts such as decolonization, reconciliation and FNMI approaches to helping, and relevant social work practice within the context of diverse Indigenous world views and experiences. May not be held with SWRK 4220 or SWRK 4221. Depending on the instructor, this course may have a field trip. Contact the Director of your program site for details. Registration restricted to Social Work students.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: SWRK 2010.
This course examines approaches to working with 2SLGBTQIA+ people at micro, mezzo, and macro levels of social work practice. Emphasis is placed on how social workers can advocate for 2SLGBTQIA+ people in different contexts of practice. Registration restricted to Social Work students.
This course facilitates the integration of knowledge, values and skills gained from other SWRK courses, past experiences, and field instruction. Students will have opportunities to discuss and critically reflect on social work practice drawing on their field placement experiences. Students will enhance their ability to identify, apply, critique, and evaluate professional practice, ethics, theories, research, and conceptual frameworks. The course culminates with students’ reflective capstone presentations. May not be held with SWRK 3150, SWRK 3151, or SWRK 3152. Registration is restricted to Faculty of Social Work students. Graded as pass/fail.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisites: Advisor permission based on the completion of SWRK 1200 (or SWRK 3131 or the former SWRK 3130), SWRK 1220, SWRK 1230, SWRK 1240 (or SWRK 3141 or the former SWRK 3140), SWRK 1250 (or SWRK 2093 or the former SWRK 2091 or SWRK 2090), SWRK 2010 and SWRK 2030 (or SWRK 2081 or the former SWRK 2080), and a minimum DGPA 2.5 or 3.0 for Concentrated BSW or Accelerated. Corequisite: SWRK 3240.
In this first field experience, students will have the opportunity to assume responsibility for social work engagement, assessment, planning, intervention, evaluation, and integrating theory. Field placement requires the student to be engaged in direct practice activity, training opportunities and evaluation of performance. Students will begin to demonstrate the professional capacity to integrate social work values, knowledge, and skills at the level of a beginning professional practitioner. Students are expected to develop competencies in: professionalism and ethical standards, assessment and intervention skills in practice, reflective capacity and critical analysis, fostering and promoting human rights and social justice, and integration of policy and practice. May not be held with SWRK 3150, SWRK 3131, or SWRK 3152. Registration is restricted to Faculty of Social Work students. Graded as pass/fail.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisites: Advisor permission based on the completion of SWRK 1200 (or SWRK 3131 or the former SWRK 3130), SWRK 1220, SWRK 1230, SWRK 1240 (or SWRK 3141 or the former SWRK 3140), SWRK 1250 (or SWRK 2093 or the former SWRK 2091 or SWRK 2090), SWRK 2010, SWRK 2030 (or SWRK 2081 or the former SWRK 2080), and a minimum DGPA 2.5 or 3.0 for Concentrated BSW or Accelerated. Corequisite: SWRK 3220.
This course is a self-study course in which students demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and integration of social work values and ethics that are required of students successfully completing a first field placement. Applicants who have been accepted and register for this course in lieu of the field placement will be required to complete a series of assignments. Eligible students must have a minimum of 3500 hours of previous social work employment experience within the past five years. Please refer to the PLAR application booklet. May not be held with SWRK 3150, SWRK 3151, SWRK 3152 or SWRK 3220 and SWRK 3240. Registration is restricted to Faculty of Social Work students. Graded as pass/fail.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisites: Advisor permission based on the completion of SWRK 1200 (or SWRK 3131 or the former SWRK 3130), SWRK 1220, SWRK 1230, SWRK 1240 (or SWRK 3141 or the former SWRK 3140), SWRK 1250 (or SWRK 2093 or the former SWRK 2091 or SWRK 2090), SWRK 2010, and SWRK 2030 (or SWRK 2081 or the former SWRK 2080).
Directed readings or concentrated study in some aspect of social service which is of interest to the student. Students must contract with an instructor prior to registration.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: written consent of instructor.
Mutually Exclusive: SWRK 4288
(Seminar Required) A second educationally directed field experience in which the student will have the opportunity to carry a sustained professional role in situations which require the integration of values, knowledge, and skill at the level of a beginning professional practitioner. Also, scheduled integrative seminar activities led by university instructors will facilitate the integration of knowledge, values and skills gained from other SWRK courses, past experiences, and field placements. The course includes involvement with the agency in planning for, and engaging in, practice activity, and evaluation of performance. Graded as pass/fail. May not be held with SWRK 4240 or SWRK 4350.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisites: SWRK 3150 and consent of course instructor (Field Coordinator).
Equiv To: SWRK 4121
A seminar for the critical examination of social work theory, values, policy and skills in the context of a field or focus of practice. The course integrates policy with practice at micro, meso and macro levels. Course seminar topics may vary from year to year and are organized to cover various fields or focus of practice. Restricted to students enrolled before 2023-2024.
An analysis of social work practice and welfare policy from a feminist perspective. Course emphasizes the integration of social work intervention with policy in the social welfare context and overlays concepts such as empowerment, ecological practice, oppression, and practice in context of cultural diversity. Students may not hold credit for both SWRK 4210 and SWRK 4170 or SWRK 4210 and SWRK 4190.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisites: SWRK 1310, SWRK 2080, SWRK 2090, and SWRK 3140.
An analysis of social work practice and welfare policy from an aboriginal perspective. The course emphasizes the linkage between practice and policy and overlays concepts such as colonization, decolonization, and approaches to practices which include cross culture, structure, and anti-oppression in the context of Aboriginal world views, experience and helping practices. Students may not hold credit for both SWRK 4220 and SWRK 4160 or SWRK 4220 and SWRK 4180.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisites: SWRK 1310, SWRK 2080, SWRK 2090, and SWRK 3140.
Equiv To: SWRK 4221
This course is designed to further facilitate the integration of knowledge, values and skills gained from other SWRK courses, past experiences, and field instruction. Students will have opportunities to discuss and critically reflect on social work practice by drawing on their field placement experiences. Student will have opportunities to further enhance their ability to identify, apply, critique and evaluate professional practice, ethics, social work theories, research, and conceptual frameworks. The course culminates with students’ reflective capstone presentations. May not be held with SWRK 4120 or SWRK 4121. Registration is restricted to Faculty of Social Work students. Graded as pass/fail.
Using an anti-oppressive and anti-colonial approach, the course will interrogate various meanings of violence and abuse and consider a variety of practice frameworks that guide assessment and intervention for individuals who have experienced family violence. Open to non-Social Work students with a minimum of 54 credit hours and with instructor permission. May not be held with SWRK 4200 when titled “Field Focus Family Violence” or SWRK 4300 when titled “Field Focus Family Violence”.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisites: SWRK 1200 (or SWRK 3131 or the former SWRK 3130); SWRK 1220; SWRK 1230; SWRK 1240 (or SWRK 3141 or the former SWRK 3140); SWRK 1250 (or SWRK 2093 or the former SWRK 2091 or SWRK 2090); SWRK 2010 and SWRK 2030 (or SWRK 2081 or the former SWRK 2080).
This course examines substance use and mental health in the context of social work practice. Emphasis is placed on how social workers collaborate with professionals in other service sectors to support people who are using substances and those with lived experience of mental health. Open to non-Social Work students with a minimum of 54 credit hours and with instructor permission. May not be held with SWRK 4200 when titled “Field Focus- Mental Health” or “Mental Health and Substance Misuse” or “Mental Health & Concurrent Disorders” or “Mental Health & Substance Abuse” or with SWRK 4300 when titled “Field Focus- Mental Health” or “Mental Health and Substance Misuse” or “Mental Health & Concurrent Disorders” or “Mental Health & Substance Abuse.”
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisites: SWRK 1200 (or SWRK 3131 or the former SWRK 3130); SWRK 1220; SWRK 1230; SWRK 1240 (or SWRK 3141 or the former SWRK 3140); SWRK 1250 (or SWRK 2093 or the former SWRK 2091 or SWRK 2090); SWRK 2010 and SWRK 2030 (or SWRK 2081 or the former SWRK 2080).
This course surveys current trauma frameworks and reviews recommended practices. The personal, interpersonal, familial and community legacies of trauma are examined, potential developmental trajectories are mapped, and opportunities for post-traumatic growth are identified. Open to non-Social Work students with a minimum of 54 credit hours and with instructor permission.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisites: SWRK 1200 (or SWRK 3131 or the former SWRK 3130); SWRK 1220; SWRK 1230; SWRK 1240 (or SWRK 3141 or the former SWRK 3140); SWRK 1250 (or SWRK 2093 or the former SWRK 2091 or SWRK 2090); SWRK 2010 and SWRK 2030 (or SWRK 2081 or the former SWRK 2080).
This course will address the theoretical framework of human loss and grief from culturally and philosophically diverse perspectives, as well as its implications to social work practice. Attention is focused on lifespan development and the meaning of death and loss at different ages. Various types of loss will be discussed from an individual, family, and socio/cultural perspective. Coping and resiliency in loss are explored, emphasizing the diversity of human response and focusing on the significance of social groups in integrating loss. Open to non-Social Work students with a minimum of 54 credit hours and with instructor permission.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisites: SWRK 1200 (or SWRK 3131 or the former SWRK 3130); SWRK 1220; SWRK 1230; SWRK 1240 (or SWRK 3141 or the former SWRK 3140); SWRK 1250 (or SWRK 2093 or the former SWRK 2091 or SWRK 2090); SWRK 2010 and SWRK 2030 (or SWRK 2081 or the former SWRK 2080).
This course critically examines the dimensions and issues of individual and community wellbeing connected with home, homelessness and housing in Canada. Introduction to public and social policy analysis of historical, structural and systemic causes of homelessness. Focusing on social work practice, with an emphasis on the critical ethics of care and capabilities framework when working with individuals without permanent, safe and affordable housing. Depending on the instructor, this course may have a field trip. Contact the Director of your program site for details. Open to non-Social Work students with a minimum of 54 credit hours and with instructor permission.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisites: SWRK 1200 (or SWRK 3131 or the former SWRK 3130); SWRK 1220; SWRK 1230; SWRK 1240 (or SWRK 3141 or the former SWRK 3140); SWRK 1250 (or SWRK 2093 or the former SWRK 2091 or SWRK 2090); SWRK 2010 and SWRK 2030 (or SWRK 2081 or the former SWRK 2080).
Using a critical lens this course will provide students with an overview of the child welfare system in Canada, with a specific focus on Manitoba. The course provides an introduction to theory and skills necessary for emergent assessment and intervention approaches when working with families and communities. Current changes to child welfare legislation intended to address the over-representation of Indigenous children and families in the child welfare system will be discussed. The implications of these changes to the child and family services system in Manitoba will be examined throughout the course. Open to non-Social Work students with a minimum of 54 credit hours and with instructor permission.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisites: SWRK 1200 (or SWRK 3131 or the former SWRK 3130); SWRK 1220; SWRK 1230; SWRK 1240 (or SWRK 3141 or the former SWRK 3140); SWRK 1250 (or SWRK 2093 or the former SWRK 2091 or SWRK 2090); SWRK 2010 and SWRK 2030 (or SWRK 2081 or the former SWRK 2080).
This course examines social work approaches to working with groups. Emphasis is placed on examination of the processes, theories, and methods of various groups, such as treatment, educational, support, social action and task groups. Open to non-Social Work students with a minimum of 54 credit hours and with instructor permission.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisites: SWRK 1200 (or SWRK 3131 or the former SWRK 3130); SWRK 1220; SWRK 1230; SWRK 1240 (or SWRK 3141 or the former SWRK 3140); SWRK 1250 (or SWRK 2093 or the former SWRK 2091 or SWRK 2090); SWRK 2010 and SWRK 2030 (or SWRK 2081 or the former SWRK 2080).
This course integrates complementary creative methods into social work practice. Theories and approaches in social work and social sciences are combined with concepts and views from arts- based methods. (Note: this is not a course to teach students to be art, or other expressive arts therapists.) Open to non-Social Work students with a minimum of 54 credit hours and with instructor permission.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisites: SWRK 1200 (or SWRK 3131 or the former SWRK 3130); SWRK 1220; SWRK 1230; SWRK 1240 (or SWRK 3141 or the former SWRK 3140); SWRK 1250 (or SWRK 2093 or the former SWRK 2091 or SWRK 2090); SWRK 2010 and SWRK 2030 (or SWRK 2081 or the former SWRK 2080).
The role of mindfulness practice in the domains of clinical and social service delivery is explored in this course. The course examines various forms of contemplative practice and their emerging efficacy studies. Through experiential exercises, students enhance the development of self- and other-awareness paramount to social work practice. Open to non-Social Work students with a minimum of 54 credit hours and with instructor permission.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisites: SWRK 1200 (or SWRK 3131 or the former SWRK 3130); SWRK 1220; SWRK 1230; SWRK 1240 (or SWRK 3141 or the former SWRK 3140); SWRK 1250 (or SWRK 2093 or the former SWRK 2091 or SWRK 2090); SWRK 2010 and SWRK 2030 (or SWRK 2081 or the former SWRK 2080).
This course gives a general overview of diverse Indigenous wholistic ways of healing and helping practices as followed by First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples in Central Turtle Island. It reflects upon how these ways may be connected to social work and the related benefits and challenges of such connections. The course is focused on experiential and participatory land- based learning, reflecting an aspect of Indigenous ways of learning. In addition to the in-class sessions, this course involves a 4 - 5 day intensive retreat on the land. Depending on the instructor, this course may have a field trip. Contact the Director of your program site for details. Open to non-Social Work students with a minimum of 54 credit hours and with instructor permission.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisites: SWRK 1200 (or SWRK 3131 or the former SWRK 3130); SWRK 1220; SWRK 1230; SWRK 1240 (or SWRK 3141 or the former SWRK 3140); SWRK 1250 (or SWRK 2093 or the former SWRK 2091 or SWRK 2090); SWRK 2010 and SWRK 2030 (or SWRK 2081 or the former SWRK 2080).
This course is designed to build social work knowledge and skills specific to the areas of community outreach, networking and connecting. The course focus is on the integration of theory and practice in order to understand the complex relationships of community populations, inroads to engagements, and barriers to social engagement and change. Open to non-Social Work students with a minimum of 54 credit hours and with instructor permission.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisites: SWRK 1200 (or SWRK 3131 or the former SWRK 3130); SWRK 1220; SWRK 1230; SWRK 1240 (or SWRK 3141 or the former SWRK 3140); SWRK 1250 (or SWRK 2093 or the former SWRK 2091 or SWRK 2090); SWRK 2010 and SWRK 2030 (or SWRK 2081 or the former SWRK 2080).
Students in this course acquire knowledge and skills for critical social work research. Students will frame and articulate their research focus through engagement with research design including quantitative and qualitative research methods. Both Western and Indigenous epistemologies and methodologies will be honoured and discussed. These methods will be used to conduct a basic research project proposal to explore a social work issue, select the most appropriate social work research practice to study this issue, and outline how they will carry out this ethical research. Open to non-Social Work students with a minimum of 54 credit hours and with instructor permission.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisites: SWRK 1200 (or SWRK 3131 or the former SWRK 3130); SWRK 1220; SWRK 1230; SWRK 1240 (or SWRK 3141 or the former SWRK 3140); SWRK 1250 (or SWRK 2093 or the former SWRK 2091 or SWRK 2090); SWRK 2010 and SWRK 2030 (or SWRK 2081 or the former SWRK 2080).
This course provides a general overview and examination of justice with a focus on working with individuals and families affected by the justice system, including social, criminal, legal, and restorative justice. This course includes a focus on social work practices with justice involved populations. Depending on the instructor, this course may have a field trip. Contact the Director of your program site for details. Open to non-Social Work students with a minimum of 54 credit hours and with instructor permission.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisites: SWRK 1200 (or SWRK 3131 or the former SWRK 3130); SWRK 1220; SWRK 1230; SWRK 1240 (or SWRK 3141 or the former SWRK 3140); SWRK 1250 (or SWRK 2093 or the former SWRK 2091 or SWRK 2090); SWRK 2010 and SWRK 2030 (or SWRK 2081 or the former SWRK 2080).
This course uses a biopsychosocial approach that emphasizes the importance of resiliency and strengths within the context of differences in older adults, such as gender, culture and ethnicity, sexual orientation, and ability, through a life course perspective. It covers contemporary topics related to social work assessment and intervention with older adults in diverse social and healthcare settings. Students will explore various interventional practice approaches to improve the quality of life for older adults in social and social psychological aspects. Open to non-Social Work students with a minimum of 54 credit hours and with instructor permission. May not be held with SWRK 4200 when titled “Field Focus - Aging” or SWRK 4300 when titled “Field Focus – Aging.”
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisites: SWRK 1200 (or SWRK 3131 or the former SWRK 3130); SWRK 1220; SWRK 1230; SWRK 1240 (or SWRK 3141 or the former SWRK 3140); SWRK 1250 (or SWRK 2093 or the former SWRK 2091 or SWRK 2090); SWRK 2010 and SWRK 2030 (or SWRK 2081 or the former SWRK 2080).
This course explores key concepts, questions, and controversies in the field of disability. We will examine who are people with disabilities in Canada, the historical context of disability as an idea and a lived experience, and various theories for understanding disability, including decoloniality. The course will consider ideas of disability as well as social work practice relating to assessment and intervention, practice settings, diagnostic systems, and lifespan vis a vis disability. Emphasis is given to the role of the social worker in interdisciplinary practice settings and the role of the social worker in relationship to the disability community. The course serves as the theoretical basis for the field placement experience, learning ways of working with persons, families, caregivers, professionals, communities, and natural environments. Open to non-Social Work students with a minimum of 54 credit hours and with instructor permission. May not be held with SWRK 4200 when titled “Field Focus – Disability” or SWRK 4300 when titled “Field Focus – Disability.”
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisites: SWRK 1200 (or SWRK 3131 or the former SWRK 3130); SWRK 1220; SWRK 1230; SWRK 1240 (or SWRK 3141 or the former SWRK 3140); SWRK 1250 (or SWRK 2093 or the former SWRK 2091 or SWRK 2090); SWRK 2010 and SWRK 2030 (or SWRK 2081 or the former SWRK 2080).
First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples in Canada have been caring for their children within strong extended family and community support systems since time immemorial. Through patriarchy, Christianization, colonization and removal of children, Indigenous authority has been denigrated, dismantled, destroyed. There have been endless attempts to establish a system to regain self- governance, authority of Indigenous families, and Indigenous control over the well- being of children. Despite all those attempts, the outcome remains the overrepresentation of Indigenous children in the child welfare system, the gateway to the criminal justice system. Emphasizing diverse Indigenous ways of doing, being and helping in historical and contemporary Indigenous families and communities, with a focus on the special role of children and youth, this course will explore both traditional caring practices and values, and the re- establishment of First Nations, Metis and Inuit sovereignty and authority. Open to non-Social Work students with a minimum of 54 credit hours and with instructor permission.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisites: SWRK 1200 (or SWRK 3131 or the former SWRK 3130); SWRK 1220; SWRK 1230; SWRK 1240 (or SWRK 3141 or the former SWRK 3140); SWRK 1250 (or SWRK 2093 or the former SWRK 2091 or SWRK 2090); SWRK 2010 and SWRK 2030 (or SWRK 2081 or the former SWRK 2080).
This course will introduce the diversity and complexity of northern, rural, and isolated communities/environments focusing on Indigenous worldviews and experiences. Theories, concepts, and promising practices for social work will be analyzed for their effectiveness for promoting wellbeing, family, community and helping in these environments. Challenges and opportunities for providing social work services in northern, rural, and isolated communities/environments will also be examined. Depending on the instructor, this course may have a field trip. Contact the Director of your program site for details. Open to non-Social Work students with a minimum of 54 credit hours and with instructor permission. May not be held with SWRK 4050 when titled “Social Work in the North.”
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisites: SWRK 1200 (or SWRK 3131 or the former SWRK 3130); SWRK 1220; SWRK 1230; SWRK 1240 (or SWRK 3141 or the former SWRK 3140); SWRK 1250 (or SWRK 2093 or the former SWRK 2091 or SWRK 2090); SWRK 2010 and SWRK 2030 (or SWRK 2081 or the former SWRK 2080).
Mutually Exclusive: SWRK 4050
This course offers both a theoretical and practical background to social work within core area or inner city neighbourhoods and communities. As a companion opportunity to classroom learning, this course offers students hands-on experience with a community agency or service to gain exposure to ways of practicing in community settings. With this combination of academic theory learning and “live” practice learning, it is an ideal opportunity to develop skills in integrating theory and practice for developing social work practice. Open to non-Social Work students with a minimum of 54 credit hours and with instructor permission. May not be held with SWRK 4070 when titled “Inner City Social Work Practice.”
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisites: SWRK 1200 (or SWRK 3131 or the former SWRK 3130); SWRK 1220; SWRK 1230; SWRK 1240 (or SWRK 3141 or the former SWRK 3140); SWRK 1250 (or SWRK 2093 or the former SWRK 2091 or SWRK 2090); SWRK 2010 and SWRK 2030 (or SWRK 2081 or the former SWRK 2080).
Mutually Exclusive: SWRK 4070
This course examines government legislation, policy and regulatory responses to violence in families. This review of policy development examines the role of stakeholders, advocacy and public information campaigns. The course offers an analysis of how policy frameworks and initiatives manifest in service delivery. Critical perspectives are introduced to advance policy analysis. Open to non-Social Work students with a minimum of 54 credit hours and with instructor permission. May not be held with SWRK 4200 when titled “Field Focus Family Violence” or SWRK 4300 when titled “Field Focus Family Violence.”
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisites: SWRK 1200 (or SWRK 3131 or the former SWRK 3130); SWRK 1220; SWRK 1230; SWRK 1240 (or SWRK 3141 or the former SWRK 3140); SWRK 1250 (or SWRK 2093 or the former SWRK 2091 or SWRK 2090); SWRK 2010 and SWRK 2030 (or SWRK 2081 or the former SWRK 2080).
This course will explore the concept, scope, and issues of international social work. Students will develop understanding and skills in the application of the models and approaches of international social work practice. This course will also explore the key concepts and theories of global migration and settlement and will examine how global migration policies are framed and operationalized. It will consider how social workers play roles in global migration policy formation and practice with displaced populations. Open to non-Social Work students with a minimum of 54 credit hours and with instructor permission.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisites: SWRK 1200 (or SWRK 3131 or the former SWRK 3130); SWRK 1220; SWRK 1230; SWRK 1240 (or SWRK 3141 or the former SWRK 3140); SWRK 1250 (or SWRK 2093 or the former SWRK 2091 or SWRK 2090); SWRK 2010 and SWRK 2030 (or SWRK 2081 or the former SWRK 2080).
The course aims to familiarize students with the major theoretical ideas, empirical evidence, and policy about the diversity in social and social psychological aspects of aging. The former include the socioeconomic status of older adults, their family relationships, work and retirement, and needs for social and health services. The social psychological aspects of aging in the course focus on aging related self-concepts and the social construct of aging. The emphasis is on the development of critical and comprehensive knowledge of theory and related policy in social gerontology and the life course. Open to non-Social Work students with a minimum of 54 credit hours and with instructor permission. May not be held with SWRK 4200 when titled “Field Focus - Aging” or SWRK 4300 when titled “Field Focus - Aging.”
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisites: SWRK 1200 (or SWRK 3131 or the former SWRK 3130); SWRK 1220; SWRK 1230; SWRK 1240 (or SWRK 3141 or the former SWRK 3140); SWRK 1250 (or SWRK 2093 or the former SWRK 2091 or SWRK 2090); SWRK 2010 and SWRK 2030 (or SWRK 2081 or the former SWRK 2080).
This course is an in-depth exploration of poverty and economic inequality in Canada – their extent and characteristics, underlying causes, and differential effects on various segments of the Canadian population. The role of social work and social welfare policy in dealing with poverty and economic inequality will be analyzed. Open to non-Social Work students with a minimum of 54 credit hours and with instructor permission.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisites: SWRK 1200 (or SWRK 3131 or the former SWRK 3130); SWRK 1220; SWRK 1230; SWRK 1240 (or SWRK 3141 or the former SWRK 3140); SWRK 1250 (or SWRK 2093 or the former SWRK 2091 or SWRK 2090); SWRK 2010 and SWRK 2030 (or SWRK 2081 or the former SWRK 2080).
A seminar for the critical examination of social work theory, values, policy and skills in the context of a field or focus of practice. The course integrates policy with practice at micro, meso and macro levels. Course seminar topics may vary from year to year and are organized to cover various fields or focus of practice. For students admitted after 1993-1994 and before 2023-2024. May not be held with SWRK 4303.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: SWRK 3150.
This course examines social work practice in the context of disasters from an environmental- ecological perspective. Disaster preparedness, disaster assistance, and post-disaster recovery phases are discussed in international contexts. The impact of disasters on individuals, families and local and global communities are surveyed, and approaches to contextualized and trauma- informed disaster risk reduction are identified and critiqued. Concepts of intersectionality, sustainable development, capacity building, social capital, and global advocacy in disaster response management and risk reduction strategies are also analyzed. Open to non-Social Work students with a minimum of 54 credit hours and with instructor permission.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisites: SWRK 1200 (or SWRK 3131 or the former SWRK 3130); SWRK 1220; SWRK 1230; SWRK 1240 (or SWRK 3141 or the former SWRK 3140); SWRK 1250 (or SWRK 2093 or the former SWRK 2091 or SWRK 2090); SWRK 2010 and SWRK 2030 (or SWRK 2081 or the former SWRK 2080).
A second educationally directed practice experience building on SWRK 3240/SWRK 3250 in which the student will have the opportunity to advance their skill set in relation to social work engagement, assessment, planning, intervention and evaluation, integrating theory from class. Students will carry a sustained professional role in situations, which require the integration of social work values, knowledge, and skill at the level of a beginning practitioner. Students are expected to develop competencies in: professionalism and ethical standards, assessment and intervention skills in practice, reflective capacity and critical analysis, promotion of human rights and social justice, integration of policy and practice. May not be held with SWRK 4120 or SWRK 4121. Registration restricted to Social Work students. Minimum GPA: 2.5. Graded as pass/fail.