Social Work

SOCW 200A (3) Introduction to Social Work Practice

An introduction to generalist social work practice in diverse areas through a critical anti-oppressive, anti-colonial and two-eyed seeing lens. Key concepts examined include self-reflection, ethics, person-centered, holistic, non-judgmental, and strengths-based approaches. Students will gain skills applicable at micro, mezzo, and macro levels. (3:0:0)

Prerequisite: None.

SOCW 200B (3) Introduction to Social Welfare in Canada

An introduction to current social welfare policy and the social service and human rights response to social issues, including the problem of poverty. Topics include the impact of poverty, responses to poverty, ideologies in relationship to social policy, responses to income security and personal needs in B.C. and Canada, and skills for analyzing, influencing, and developing social policy. (3:0:0)

Prerequisite: None.

SOCW 211 (3) Families in Context

Using a critical social work and anti-colonization framework, this course considers changing and diverse family forms and arrangements. Focus will be on the economic and socio-political context, and specific issues facing families. Theories regarding the assessment of family functioning and relevant social service responses are critically examined and applied. SOCW 211 was formerly called SSER 211; credit will not be granted for both courses. (3:0:0)

Prerequisite: Admission to Social Services Diploma program or permission of instructor.

SOCW 252 (3) Interpersonal Communication Skills

An introduction to the dynamics and skills associated with effective and intentional interpersonal skills in social service practice, for work with service users in one-to-one and group settings. Students will practice, demonstrate and apply course content and skills to enhance self-awareness, self-reflection and functioning in ethical helping relationships with others. (3:0:0)

Prerequisite: SOCW 200A or equivalent (which may be taken concurrently).

SOCW 270 (3) Social Service Practice in Mental Health and Substance Use/Misuse

An introduction to the practice of social service work with people living with mental illness and/or substance use/misuse using a recovery, harm reduction and trauma-informed lens. The focus will be on understanding and applying current theories, intervention skills, relevant policies and legislation, and models of treatment and care to practice. SOCW 270 was formerly called SSER 270; credit will not be granted for both courses. (3:0:0)

Prerequisite: Second-year standing.

SOCW 280 (3) Methods in Social Service Practice

Builds on anti-oppressive social work values, skills, knowledge, and ethics, to prepare students for practicum. With a focus on social work practice methods, students will further develop competencies in the various phases of the helping process, and person-centred communication skills while strengthening cultural safety and social justice principles. (3:0:0)

Prerequisite: SOCW 200A, SOCW 200B, SOCW 252, HHS 276, and second-year standing in the Social Services diploma program.

SOCW 281 (6) Social Services Field Education

A full-time, six-week (210 hours) supervised field education practicum with a community based social service agency/organization focusing on integration and application of theory, skills and building competencies. Students are expected to demonstrate their ability to work professionally in direct practice with individuals/groups/communities. Previously, SSER 281 or SOCW 281 (3 credits) and SOCW 282 (3 credits) met the requirements of this course. (0:0:0 -210 for 6 weeks)

Prerequisite: Second-year standing in Social Services Diploma; and SOCW 280.

SOCW 300A (3) Foundations in Critical Social Work

Students will learn about the foundations of social work as an academic, reflexive, and professional practice. This course will introduce students to the key concepts and perspectives in contemporary ideologies, theories and practice from an anti-oppressive, anti-colonial, and structural social work perspective. (3:0:0)

Prerequisite: Admission to the BSW program.

SOCW 300B (3) Social Work with Communities

This course is a critical exploration of community development as a central social work method. Students will examine community change initiatives, apply theories and models of community development and practice, and demonstrate skills of the assessment and evaluation of community needs and intervention approaches. (3:0:0)

Prerequisite: SOCW 300A.

SOCW 301 (3) Social Work Theory and Practice Skills

Using an anti-oppressive lens, this course focuses on the critical exploration of the theories that influence social work practice. Students will understand and demonstrate the application of theory to practice, the transferability of knowledge, ethics and skills to practice, and begin to develop their own practice frameworks. (3:0:0)

Prerequisite: SOCW 300A (prerequisite or corequisite).

SOCW 305 (3) Social Work with Groups

A focus on the theories, concepts, and experiences used to understand group dynamics and group skills for anti-oppressive social work practice. This includes theoretical and practice orientations, the change process, and the impact of diversity and oppression. Students will demonstrate design and facilitation knowledge and skills related to group process. (3:0:0)

Prerequisite: Admission to the BSW program.

SOCW 310 (3) Critical Perspectives on (Dis) abilities/Diversabilities

An examination of historical and contemporary models and constructions of disability. Students develop a critical and reflexive analysis of the issues, theories, policies, and skills that apply to working with people living with diversabilities within a framework of human rights, citizenship, and inclusion that promotes anti-ableist practice. (3:0:0)

Prerequisite: Admission to the BSW program.

SOCW 322 (3) Trauma and Resiliency Across the Lifespan

An introduction to trauma and trauma-and-violence-informed practice. Students will develop a critical understanding of the meanings, impacts and outcomes of trauma across the lifespan as it applies to children, youth, adults, and older adults, with a focus on developing critically reflexive, culturally safe and strengths-based practice skills. Credit will only be granted for one of HHS 276 or SOCW 322. (3:0:0)

Prerequisite: Admission to the BSW program.

SOCW 350A (3) Critical Perspectives on Legal Systems and the Law

A critical examination of the Canadian justice system through the lens of anti-oppressive social work. Topics include ethical and legal accountabilities of social workers, human rights, organization of the legal system, and alternative models of justice. The skill of advocacy is a central component of understanding social work practice. (3:0:0)

Prerequisite: Admission to the BSW program.

SOCW 352 (3) Advanced Interpersonal Communication

A focus on developing the effective and ethical use of advanced interpersonal communication and interviewing skills for professional social work practice using an anti-oppressive lens. Students will demonstrate, critically reflect on, and analyze their use of these skills and their application to working with individuals, groups, and communities. (3:0:0)

Prerequisite: Admission to the BSW program.

SOCW 361 (3) Social Work Practice in Substance Use

This course focuses on theory, knowledge and skills required for social work practice within the field of substance use. Students will use and apply a social justice, anti-oppressive and harm reduction lens to explore topics such as stigma and discrimination, ethics, relevant policies and legislation, symptoms, prevention, and treatment modalities. (3:0:0)

Prerequisite: Admission to BSW program.

SOCW 362 (3) Child Abuse and Neglect and Social Work

Using an anti-oppressive framework, topics include the history of child abuse and neglect in Canada, contemporary concerns, main forms and indicators of abuse, and prevention and intervention. It explores one's attitudes, beliefs, unconscious bias, and social location to understand the personal and social complexities of child abuse and neglect across social work settings. Credit will only be granted for one of CYC 362 or SOCW 362. (3:0:0)

Prerequisite: Admission to the BSW program.

SOCW 380 (6) Third Year Field Education

Students are required to complete a 350-hour supervised field education placement to practice basic engagement and relational skills, intervention, and advocacy skills within an organizational context. Emphasis is on professionalism, anti-oppressive practice, and stages of the social work process. (0:0:0 -350)

Prerequisite: Admission to the BSW program; SOCW 300A, SOCW 301, SOCW 305, SOCW 352. SOCW 300B and SOCW 322 (may be taken concurrently).

SOCW 400A (3) Contemporary Issues in Social Work

Students will work through advanced social work practice scenarios that represent key challenges and emerging areas in anti-oppressive social work practice. The learning in each module will apply key social work theory, knowledge, values, and ethics to enhance a student's capacity for effective and ethical decision-making, leadership, and practice in organizations. (3:0:0)

Prerequisite: SOCW 300A and SOCW 300B.

SOCW 400B (3) Seminar in Reflexive Social Work Praxis

Through learning activities and seminars, this course provides an analysis and integration of practice and theory; promotes reflexive praxis; and consolidates students' professional social work identity and chosen practice frameworks. This course must be taken in conjunction with SOCW 480. (0:3:0)

Prerequisite: SOCW 400A.

Co-requisites: SOCW 480. Students who fail SOCW 400B must also re-take SOCW 480 as a co-requisite.

SOCW 401 (3) Social Policy and Communities

An analysis of social policy issues and processes from an anti-oppressive perspective. Topics include contemporary social policy issues, social policy development, and the use of critical lenses for analysing policy. Efforts by government to involve communities in social policy development and implementation is a core theme. (3:0:0)

Prerequisite: SOCW 300A and SOCW 300B.

SOCW 402 (3) Research Methods for Social Change

An introduction to the concepts, methods, and processes of critical social work research and its relationship to social work practice and social change. Students will develop skills in conducting ethical and anti-oppressive research, critically assessing research processes and outcomes, and developing a research proposal. (3:0:0)

Prerequisite: SOCW 300A and SOCW 300B.

SOCW 403 (3) Critical Perspectives of Child Safety in Social Work

This practice-based course examines historical and current ideologies around the concept of child protection. An intersectional feminist, anti-racist and anti-colonial lens is used to examine issues linked to the current system of child welfare and provides foundational skills for advocating and engaging in ethical work specific to interventions, case management, evaluation, and the interpretation of legislation. Credit will only be granted for one of CYC 403 or SOCW 403. (3:0:0)

Prerequisite: SOCW 350A and SOCW 362.

SOCW 404 (3) Advanced Skills for Social Work Practice in Legal Contexts

A study of the law as it affects the human service professions. Topics include specific legislation concerned with child welfare practice, young offenders, adoption and family relations matters; the law as an expression of social policy; legal principles and the human service professional's role within the legal system. (3:0:0)

Prerequisite: SOCW 350A.

SOCW 421 (3) Social Work Practice with Indigenous Communities

This course examines colonial impacts and efforts to transform anti-Indigenous racism and social work relationships with Indigenous people. Concepts of inherent rights, substantive equality, the social determinants of health, land-based healing, self-determination, and cultural safety are examined along with Indigenous led recommendations from the UNDRIP, TRC, and MMIWG2S+ Reports. SOCW 421 was formerly called SOCW 321; credit will not be granted for both courses. (3:0:0)

Prerequisite: SOCW 300A and SOCW 300B.

SOCW 440 (3) Critical Social Work Perspectives on Mental Health

A critical examination of how mental health is constructed, including biomedical and community-based recovery approaches, Canadian mental health law and policy, and application of ethics. Students will focus on practical skills which include assessment, prevention, and interdisciplinary and culturally safe practices. (3:0:0)

Prerequisite: SOCW 300A and SOCW 300B.

SOCW 460 (3) Social Work Practice with Older Adults

A critical examination on working with and on behalf of older people using an anti-oppressive gerontological lens. Students consider issues affecting older adults locally and globally; critically examine beliefs and attitudes related to aging and older people; examine structural inequalities in later life; and develop a framework for anti-oppressive social work practice with older people. (3:0:0)

Prerequisite: Admission to the BSW program.

SOCW 480 (6) Fourth Year Field Education

Students are required to complete a 350-hour supervised field education placement towards advanced and independent practice in engagement and relational skills, intervention, and advocacy skills within an organizational context. Emphasis is on professionalism, anti-oppressive practice, and stages of the social work process. (0:0:0 -350)

Prerequisite: SOCW 380, SOCW 421 and SOCW 440. In addition, child welfare specialization field education placements require completion of both SOCW 362 and SOCW 403.

Co-requisites: SOCW 400B. Students who fail SOCW 480 must re-take SOCW 400B as a co-requisite.