RYERSON UNIVERSITY: Undergraduate Calendar 2004-05

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UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM CALENDAR 2004-2005
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Social Work Courses
SWP 013 SWP 021 SWP 022 SWP 025 SWP 031 SWP 036 SWP 038 SWP 050 SWP 051 SWP 900 SWP 901 SWP 902 SWP 903 SWP 904 SWP 906 SWP 907 SWP 908
SWP 909 SWP 910 SWP 911 SWP 912 SWP 913 SWP 914 SWP 915 SWP 916 SWP 917 SWP 918 SWP 919 SWP 920 SWP 921 SWP 923 SWP 924 SWP 925 SWP 926
SWP 927

SWP 013 Social Work: Foundations of Social Work Lect: 3 hrs.

This course examines the foundations of Social Work, the evolution of its occupational structure and culture. It examines its mission, societal mandate, knowledge base and its values. The course also examines professional requirements in the Canadian Code of Ethics. Specific emphasis is given to understandings of oppression and privilege as they relate to Social Work activity.

SWP 021 Social Work: Introduction to Social Work Practice Lab: 3 hrs.

This course emphasizes an integration of cognitive understanding and experiential learning necessary for social work practice and focuses on distinguishing personal from professional values. The dual focus on the person and the larger social context will help the student link the two for the purpose of assessment. Individual and group differences, specifically those related to culture, race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, and age are emphasized, along with the importance of work with individuals, social group work and social change as practice strategies.
Prerequisite: SWP 013.

SWP 022 Social Work: Social Welfare Policy and Programs Lect: 3 hrs.

This course examines major concepts, developments, and important political and economic trends shaping the evolution of social policy and social welfare institutions in Canada. The impacts of the social system in Canada on human needs and structural inequalities are assessed. Current dilemmas around the future of the welfare state are explored, both from Canadian and cross-national perspectives. Students have an opportunity to apply the concepts and perspectives from course lectures to a policy project on a topic selected from designated themes of current significance.
Prerequisites: SWP 013 or first year JOUR.

SWP 025 Social Work: Anti-Oppression & Human Diversity Lect: 3 hrs.

This course focuses on oppression and anti-oppression work as they relate to social inequality and life circumstances. The course is comprised of five dimensions: theoretical, exploration of personal values, strategies on particular populations according to student interest and an integrative component. Racism, ableism, ageism, colonialism, homophobia, anti-semitism, sexism and other forms of institutionalized oppression will be considered in relation to the experiences, needs and responses of populations who have been historically excluded, disadvantaged, and oppressed.
Prerequisite: SWP 013.

SWP 031 Social Work: Social Work Practice Seminar Lect: 3 hrs.

Based on the School’s Mission, this first practice seminar provides students with social work knowledge and skills for practice. Building on various theoretical perspectives with an emphasis on anti-oppression practice, this course explores the process of social work assessment and various change processes. The course builds on knowledge from previous social work courses and the current practicum experience. It provides opportunities for students to reflect upon and apply theory to practice for skill development.
Prerequisites: All second year Social Work courses.
Corequisite: SWP 036.

SWP 036 Social Work: Field Practicum Lab: 14 hrs.

This first field practicum provides opportunities for students to have direct contact with ‘clients-consumers-people’ in need. Each placement offers the student beginning level intervention with individuals, couples or families, and/or groups. In addition, the field placement will be complemented with a community project or an outreach or community development activity. Students are in a field placement two days a week for two semesters.
Prerequisites: All second year Social Work courses.
Corequisite: SWP 031.

SWP 038 Social Work: Social Work Research Lect: 3 hrs.

This course provides students with an introductory understanding of social research and its relevance to social work practice. Students will acquire the knowledge and skills required to conduct professionally-related research studies and to critically assess research articles. Quantitative and qualitative research methods are examined. This course explores the role that research plays in generating and perpetuating perceptions of race, gender, sexual orientation and class. Transformative models, such as feminist and participatory research are discussed.
Prerequisite: All second year Social Work courses.

SWP 050 Social Work: Advanced Social Work Practice Seminar Lect: 3 hrs.

This practice theory seminar emphasizes the integration of knowledge of social work practice, research and social policy. Social work practice theories will focus on direct application in work with individuals, families, groups and communities. This course emphasizes ethical considerations of client factors such as ethnicity, gender, race, culture, sexuality, age, etc. and student’s personal and professional values in preparation for graduation and the assumption of roles as direct service practitioners in the community.
Prerequisites: All third year Social Work courses.
Corequisite: SWP 051.

SWP 051 Social Work: Field Practicum Lab: 21 hrs.

The organization principles for the second practicum include the selection of field placements according to populations or natural groupings in the community (such as children and families, women, people with special needs, senior citizens, and equity groups) and a problem-based learning orientation. Within each population, students will engage in direct intervention and become involved in either a policy or research component. Students are in field placement three days a week for two semesters.
Prerequisites: All third year Social Work courses.
Corequisite: SWP 050.

SWP 900 Social Work: Ethnic Diversity & Social Issues Lect: 3 hrs.

This course offers students an understanding and appreciation of ethnicity in Canada. Concepts such as race and culture and their relationship to ethnicity are embodied within the knowledge base of the course and students are given opportunities to explore and examine social issues from this conceptual framework. Implications and considerations addressing issues of social work practice with an ethnically and racially diverse population are also explored.
Prerequisites: All Second-year Social Work courses.

SWP 901 Social Work: Social Work & the Criminal Justice System Lect: 3 hrs.

This course is designed to introduce social work students to those parts of the criminal justice system with which they will be most likely to interact. The social construction of the law is emphasized, particularly as it applies to issues of race and gender. Students are given the opportunity in a lecture and discussion format to examine social work roles in work with offender and victim groups and the ethical and practical issues involved in this type of work.
Prerequisites: All Second-year Social Work courses.

SWP 902 Social Work: Gerontology: The Aging Process Lect: 3 hrs.

This introductory course to the field of aging focuses on individuals, families, groups, and aging populations. The implications of legislation, policies and programs affecting seniors will be examined. In addition, the course will address cross-cultural implications of aging within a diverse Canadian population and will identify structural inequalities affecting Canada’s aging population. The course will examine the roles of professional helpers in the field of aging; issues around community care and caregiving; and, factors affecting caregivers. The course will examine a number of ethical issues affecting aging populations. The course will place aging and growing old within an historical context critical for work with elderly populations.
Prerequisites: All Second-year Social Work courses.

SWP 903 Social Work: Crisis Intervention Lect: 3 hrs.

This course will offer a background in theories and strategies of intervention in crisis situations. A number of important themes will be addressed including; the helper/client relationship, suicide intervention, violence against women, sexual assault, childhood sexual abuse and incest, recovery and aftermath of trauma, crisis related to substance abuse, illness, death and loss, poverty and homelessness, and community programs for crisis intervention. Students will have an opportunity to practice crisis intervention skills through role plays and vignettes.
Prerequisites: All Second-year Social Work courses.

SWP 904 Social Work: Multicultural Policy Lect: 3 hrs.

Cross-cultural and Inter-racial Policies and Issues. The purpose of this course is to examine cross-cultural and inter-racial policies and issues at the federal, provincial and municipal levels. An important issue is the impact of cultural policies on a) the delivery of social work services in multicultural society, and b) the role of the social worker in this society.
Prerequisites: All Second-year Social Work courses.

SWP 906 Social Work: Gerontology - Social Policy Lect: 3 hrs.

This course will explore the impact of social policies on aging populations. A Canadian perspective will be taken. The significance of changing Canadian demographic factors for social planning will be analyzed and the special needs of the elderly, relative to retirement, income maintenance and leisure will be explored in the context of the social process of aging.
Prerequisites: All Second-year Social Work courses.

SWP 907 Social Work: Canadian Health Policy Lect: 3 hrs.

This course focuses on current issues in Canadian health policy. Competing value bases are identified and policy processes examined. A major objective is to familiarize students with the impacts of current trends on individuals and groups from diverse segments of society. Particular attention is paid to issues regarding inequalities in health status. The relationships between health policies, human service agencies and social work practice are examined. A particular focus is on ethical dilemmas facing social workers in health care services.
Prerequisites: All Second-year Social Work courses.

SWP 908 Social Work: Advanced Social Group Work Lect: 3 hrs.

This course focuses on the processes of change in the life history of social work. Social group work processes and professional activities are examined, including exploration, assessment, implementation and evaluation. Concepts of mutual aid, program and activity, and group stages are explored: commitment to social work values and goals are stressed, along with the impact of gender, race, age and ethnicity on group work practice. The application of social group work to groups of different purposes are examined, including task groups, self-help groups, education groups, support groups and personal growth and treatment groups.
Prerequisites: All Second-year Social Work courses.

SWP 909 Social Work: Social Work & the Law: Children & Family Lect: 3 hrs.

This course will focus on the many areas of the law that social workers need to be familiar with in order to work with children and families (e.g. marriage, co-habitation, separation, divorce, custody, access, child protection and substitute decision-making). Students will be helped to understand their legal obligations as social workers and to become more comfortable with what might be expected of them in working with lawyers and in courts.
Prerequisites: All Second-year Social Work courses.

SWP 910 Social Work: Queer Theory and Identities Lect: 3 hrs.

Same-sex affectional and physical expression has rarely been understood or accepted in Euro-centred cultures. Religious, political and medical institutions have explicitly controlled, regulated and stigmatized specific sexual/emotional behaviours, perpetuating fear, ignorance and intolerance toward a minority group. The course examines these social forces and dynamics; their consequences for bisexuals, transgender, lesbians and gay men, as well as for society in general; and the on-going organization of the concerned community to advocate for social change. Social work responses will be examined, with reference to the diverse socio-economic, ethnic and race composition of the community, with the aim of providing sensitive, informed and relevant services.
Prerequisites: All Second-year Social Work courses.

SWP 911 Social Work: Values and Intercultural Communication Lect: 3 hrs.

The framework that guides this course is premised on the assumption that all communication is intercultural. Students are given opportunities to examine the different values and value systems that underlay the communication process and often create value dilemmas in inter-cultural and cross-cultural communication. Students can also explore their own communication patterns and styles and the impact of these on social work practice with individuals and groups.
Prerequisites: All Second-year Social Work courses.

SWP 912 Social Work: Gerontology: Critical Issues and Future Trends Lect: 3 hrs.

To assess the influence of Canadian and world demographic trends on the community services for the elderly; to assess the influence of recent Canadian research in the field of aging, on the community services of the future; to examine innovative and traditional programs administered both by government and private agencies in the Western industrial countries and to evaluate their relevance for Canada.
Prerequisites: All Second year Social Work courses.

SWP 913 Social Work: Creative Techniques for Direct Practitioners Lect: 3 hrs.

This course is designed for students who plan to practice in direct service situations with individuals, groups, and families. The course will focus on the use of such creative methods and techniques as synectics, meta-phorical thinking, reversal, humour, irony and paradox. The creative techniques will be demonstrated and practised and related to individual, group and family theory.
Prerequisites: All Second-year Social Work courses.

SWP 914 Social Work: Ethical Dilemmas for Social Workers Lect: 3 hrs.

Social workers often encounter situations in which the “right” course of action is not easy to determine. When is it justifiable to go against the wishes of the individual? How does one balance the rights and needs of one group against those of another? What is our responsibility if we observe questionable practices within our own agency? This course examines the nature of ethics, discusses the major sources of ethical dilemmas in social work, and seeks to assist students in developing and applying a framework for ethical decision-making in practice.
Prerequisite: All Second-year Social Work courses.

SWP 915 Social Work: Independent Study I Lab: 3 hrs.

This course provides students with an opportunity to engage in specialized scholarly and project work within the field of social work, where the content of the proposed studies is unavailable in the curriculum. The proposed area of study must be related to the research and field interests, and availability of a social work faculty member. A plan of study must be submitted by the student and approved by the faculty member prior to course registration.
Prerequisites: All Second-year Social Work courses.

SWP 916 Social Work: Independent Study II Lab: 3 hrs.

This course provides students with the opportunity to continue studies from SWP 915 in greater depth, or to pursue another specialized area of scholarly and project work in the field of social work, where the content of the proposed studies is unavailable in the curriculum. The proposed area of study must be related to the research and field interests, and availability of a social work faculty member. A plan of study must be submitted by the student and approved by the faculty member prior to course registration.
Prerequisites: SWP 915 and all Second-year Social Work courses.

SWP 917 Social Work: Special Topics I Lab: 3 hrs.

This course provides students with the opportunity to pursue advanced seminar studies on issues and themes of immediate and current significance in the field of social work, where the content of the proposed seminar is unavailable in the curriculum. Seminars will be offered where there is demonstrated student interest, and available faculty expertise in the subject.
Prerequisites: All Second-year Social Work Courses.

SWP 918 Social Work: Special Topics II Lab: 3 hrs.

This course provides students with the opportunity to pursue advanced seminar studies on issues and themes of immediate and current significance in the field of social work, where the content of the proposed seminar is unavailable in SWP 917 or in the curriculum. Seminars will be offered where there is demonstrated student interest, and available faculty expertise in the subject.
Prerequisites: All Second-year Social Work courses.

SWP 919 Social Work: Addictions I Lect: 3 hrs.

An introduction to the field of addictions employing a biopsychosocial orientation. Topics reviewed are licit and illicit drug use in Canada, theories of addiction, the five primary psychoactive drug groupings and the addictions treatment system. The course also examines relevant policy trends and issues in the regulation and control of psychoactive drugs.
Prerequisites: All Second-year Social Work courses.

SWP 920 Social Work: Addictions II Lect: 3 hrs.

This course examines the various treatment options currently employed in the addictions field. Topics discussed include matching and motivational counselling, relapse prevention, mutual aid/self-help, behavioural, group, and individual interventions. Students will also have the opportunity to assess and critique both self-help and professional addiction treatment methods.
Prerequisites: All Second-year Social Work courses.

SWP 921 Social Work: Disability Issues & Social Work Practice Lect: 3 hrs.

This course examines disability issues within a socio-political context. Such a perspective contends that it is not the specific type of disability condition which is the major source of disadvantage to the individual, but the response that this condition evokes from the larger society. The course will challenge some of the traditional (and damaging) assumptions made about the needs of people labelled as being disabled and will present a framework for policy and practice designed to promote empowerment and inclusion.
Prerequisites: All Second-year Social Work courses.

SWP 923 Social Work: Family Violence Lect: 3 hrs.

Social workers are increasingly aware of and involved with family violence. The purpose of this elective course is to examine family violence within the context of Canadian society. The course involves an understanding of the feminist interpretation regarding the relationship between society, the family, the occurrence of violence within the family and the role of the social worker.
Prerequisites: All Second-year Social Work courses.

SWP 924 Social Work: Strategies for Addressing Conflict Lect: 3 hrs.

Conflict is a natural and common phenomenon in social interaction. Depending on how conflict is dealt with, the results can be positive or negative. This course is designed to provide students with practical skills and specific strategies for dealing with conflict in a variety of social work contexts: between individuals and social systems, between family members, between groups, between co-workers, and between participants of the public policy development process. This course will help the student to identify when different types of strategies may be more effective and how to implement them. Students will participate in hands-on case studies and role plays. They will be given an opportunity to re-explore real life conflicts from their own experiences.

SWP 925 Social Work: Strong Helper’s Teachings Lect: 3 hrs.

Ogitchita Luwatilihunyunih (First Nations translation). A one semester course designed to provide students with an introduction to issues being confronted by contemporary Aboriginal peoples in Canada, examining their perspectives on the origins of these issues and how resolutions may relate to the goal of self-determination. Students will further examine the role and operation of human services in Aboriginal communities: particularly, the development of culturally-based human service agencies in Toronto, compared with those in other Aboriginal communities.
Prerequisites: All second year Social Work courses.

SWP 926 Social Work: Practice Approaches with Sexual Minorities Lect: 3 hrs.

The course examines and explores practice approaches to sexual identity disclosure (coming out) across the life span, forming sexual and intimate relationships, abuse in same-sex relationships, coming-out in a heterosexual partnership, sharing sexual identity with children, children within gay/lesbian families, relationship breakdown and separation, loss and death due to HIV/AIDS, open/closed relationships, ethnic/religious difference in same-sex relationships.
Prerequisite: All second-year Social Work courses.

SWP 927 Social Work: Advocacy in Social Work Lect: 3 hrs.

This course will focus on social work advocacy, building upon an anti-oppressive, structural approach to social work, addressing social location, privilege, power-over, power-with, conflict and social change. More specifically, various types of advocacy will be analyzed with reference to social movement mobilization, transformative change, and social work values. Students will be offered an opportunity to participate in advocacy, as part of the on-going advocacy processes in the community.
Prerequisite: All second-year Social Work courses.

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SWP 013	Social Work: Foundations of Social Work	Lect: 3 hrs.
This course examines the foundations of Social Work, the evolution of its occupational structure and culture. It examines its mission, societal mandate, knowledge base and its values. The course also examines professional requirements in the Canadian Code of Ethics. Specific emphasis is given to understandings of oppression and privilege as they relate to Social Work activity.

SWP 021	Social Work: Introduction to Social Work Practice	Lab: 3 hrs.
This course emphasizes an integration of cognitive understanding and experiential learning necessary for social work practice and focuses on distinguishing personal from professional values. The dual focus on the person and the larger social context will help the student link the two for the purpose of assessment. Individual and group differences, specifically those related to culture, race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, and age are emphasized, along with the importance of work with individuals, social group work and social change as practice strategies.
Prerequisite: SWP 013.

SWP 022	Social Work: Social Welfare Policy and Programs	Lect: 3 hrs.
This course examines major concepts, developments, and important political and economic trends shaping the evolution of social policy and social welfare institutions in Canada. The impacts of the social system in Canada on human needs and structural inequalities are assessed. Current dilemmas around the future of the welfare state are explored, both from Canadian and cross-national perspectives. Students have an opportunity to apply the concepts and perspectives from course lectures to a policy project on a topic selected from designated themes of current significance.
Prerequisites: SWP 013 or first year JOUR.

SWP 025	Social Work: Anti-Oppression & Human Diversity	Lect: 3 hrs.
This course focuses on oppression and anti-oppression work as they relate to social inequality and life circumstances. The course is comprised of five dimensions: theoretical, exploration of personal values, strategies on particular populations according to student interest and an integrative component. Racism, ableism, ageism, colonialism, homophobia, anti-semitism, sexism and other forms of institutionalized oppression will be considered in relation to the experiences, needs and responses of populations who have been historically excluded, disadvantaged, and oppressed.
Prerequisite: SWP 013.

SWP 031	Social Work: Social Work Practice Seminar	Lect: 3 hrs.
Based on the School’s Mission, this first practice seminar provides students with social work knowledge and skills for practice. Building on various theoretical perspectives with an emphasis on anti-oppression practice, this course explores the process of social work assessment and various change processes. The course builds on knowledge from previous social work courses and the current practicum experience. It provides opportunities for students to reflect upon and apply theory to practice for skill development.
Prerequisites: All second year Social Work courses.
Corequisite: SWP 036.

SWP 036	Social Work: Field Practicum	Lab: 14 hrs.
This first field practicum provides opportunities for students to have direct contact with ‘clients-consumers-people’ in need. Each placement offers the student beginning level intervention with individuals, couples or families, and/or groups. In addition, the field placement will be complemented with a community project or an outreach or community development activity. Students are in a field placement two days a week for two semesters.
Prerequisites: All second year Social Work courses.
Corequisite: SWP 031.

SWP 038	Social Work: Social Work Research	Lect: 3 hrs.
This course provides students with an introductory understanding of social research and its relevance to social work practice. Students will acquire the knowledge and skills required to conduct professionally-related research studies and to critically assess research articles. Quantitative and qualitative research methods are examined. This course explores the role that research plays in generating and perpetuating perceptions of race, gender, sexual orientation and class. Transformative models, such as feminist and participatory research are discussed.
Prerequisite: All second year Social Work courses.

SWP 050	Social Work: Advanced Social Work Practice Seminar	Lect: 3 hrs.
This practice theory seminar emphasizes the integration of knowledge of social work practice, research and social policy. Social work practice theories will focus on direct application in work with individuals, families, groups and communities. This course emphasizes ethical considerations of client factors such as ethnicity, gender, race, culture, sexuality, age, etc. and student’s personal and professional values in preparation for graduation and the assumption of roles as direct service practitioners in the community.
Prerequisites: All third year Social Work courses.
Corequisite: SWP 051.

SWP 051	Social Work: Field Practicum	Lab: 21 hrs.
The organization principles for the second practicum include the selection of field placements according to populations or natural groupings in the community (such as children and families, women, people with special needs, senior citizens, and equity groups) and a problem-based learning orientation. Within each population, students will engage in direct intervention and become involved in either a policy or research component. Students are in field placement three days a week for two semesters.
Prerequisites: All third year Social Work courses.
Corequisite: SWP 050.

SWP 900	Social Work: Ethnic Diversity & Social Issues	Lect: 3 hrs.
This course offers students an understanding and appreciation of ethnicity in Canada. Concepts such as race and culture and their relationship to ethnicity are embodied within the knowledge base of the course and students are given opportunities to explore and examine social issues from this conceptual framework. Implications and considerations addressing issues of social work practice with an ethnically and racially diverse population are also explored.
Prerequisites: All Second-year Social Work courses.

SWP 901	Social Work: Social Work & the Criminal Justice System	Lect: 3 hrs.
This course is designed to introduce social work students to those parts of the criminal justice system with which they will be most likely to interact. The social construction of the law is emphasized, particularly as it applies to issues of race and gender. Students are given the opportunity in a lecture and discussion format to examine social work roles in work with offender and victim groups and the ethical and practical issues involved in this type of work.
Prerequisites: All Second-year Social Work courses.

SWP 902	Social Work: Gerontology: The Aging Process	Lect: 3 hrs.
This introductory course to the field of aging focuses on individuals, families, groups, and aging populations. The implications of legislation, policies and programs affecting seniors will be examined. In addition, the course will address cross-cultural implications of aging within a diverse Canadian population and will identify structural inequalities affecting Canada’s aging population. The course will examine the roles of professional helpers in the field of aging; issues around community care and caregiving; and, factors affecting caregivers. The course will examine a number of ethical issues affecting aging populations. The course will place aging and growing old within an historical context critical for work with elderly populations.
Prerequisites: All Second-year Social Work courses.

SWP 903	Social Work: Crisis Intervention	Lect: 3 hrs.
This course will offer a background in theories and strategies of intervention in crisis situations. A number of important themes will be addressed including; the helper/client relationship, suicide intervention, violence against women, sexual assault, childhood sexual abuse and incest, recovery and aftermath of trauma, crisis related to substance abuse, illness, death and loss, poverty and homelessness, and community programs for crisis intervention. Students will have an opportunity to practice crisis intervention skills through role plays and vignettes.
Prerequisites: All Second-year Social Work courses.

SWP 904	Social Work: Multicultural Policy	Lect: 3 hrs.
Cross-cultural and Inter-racial Policies and Issues. The purpose of this course is to examine cross-cultural and inter-racial policies and issues at the federal, provincial and municipal levels. An important issue is the impact of cultural policies on a) the delivery of social work services in multicultural society, and b) the role of the social worker in this society.
Prerequisites: All Second-year Social Work courses.

SWP 906	Social Work: Gerontology - Social Policy	Lect: 3 hrs.
This course will explore the impact of social policies on aging populations. A Canadian perspective will be taken. The significance of changing Canadian demographic factors for social planning will be analyzed and the special needs of the elderly, relative to retirement, income maintenance and leisure will be explored in the context of the social process of aging.
Prerequisites: All Second-year Social Work courses.

SWP 907	Social Work: Canadian Health Policy	Lect: 3 hrs.
This course focuses on current issues in Canadian health policy. Competing value bases are identified and policy processes examined. A major objective is to familiarize students with the impacts of current trends on individuals and groups from diverse segments of society. Particular attention is paid to issues regarding inequalities in health status. The relationships between health policies, human service agencies and social work practice are examined. A particular focus is on ethical dilemmas facing social workers in health care services.
Prerequisites: All Second-year Social Work courses.

SWP 908	Social Work: Advanced Social Group Work	Lect: 3 hrs.
This course focuses on the processes of change in the life history of social work. Social group work processes and professional activities are examined, including exploration, assessment, implementation and evaluation. Concepts of mutual aid, program and activity, and group stages are explored: commitment to social work values and goals are stressed, along with the impact of gender, race, age and ethnicity on group work practice. The application of social group work to groups of different purposes are examined, including task groups, self-help groups, education groups, support groups and personal growth and treatment groups.
Prerequisites: All Second-year Social Work courses.

SWP 909	Social Work: Social Work & the Law: Children & Family	Lect: 3 hrs.
This course will focus on the many areas of the law that social workers need to be familiar with in order to work with children and families (e.g. marriage, co-habitation, separation, divorce, custody, access, child protection and substitute decision-making). Students will be helped to understand their legal obligations as social workers and to become more comfortable with what might be expected of them in working with lawyers and in courts.
Prerequisites: All Second-year Social Work courses.

SWP 910	Social Work: Queer Theory and Identities	Lect: 3 hrs.
Same-sex affectional and physical expression has rarely been understood or accepted in Euro-centred cultures. Religious, political and medical institutions have explicitly controlled, regulated and stigmatized specific sexual/emotional behaviours, perpetuating fear, ignorance and intolerance toward a minority group. The course examines these social forces and dynamics; their consequences for bisexuals, transgender, lesbians and gay men, as well as for society in general; and the on-going organization of the concerned community to advocate for social change. Social work responses will be examined, with reference to the diverse socio-economic, ethnic and race composition of the community, with the aim of providing sensitive, informed and relevant services.
Prerequisites: All Second-year Social Work courses.

SWP 911	Social Work: Values and Intercultural Communication	Lect: 3 hrs.
The framework that guides this course is premised on the assumption that all communication is intercultural. Students are given opportunities to examine the different values and value systems that underlay the communication process and often create value dilemmas in inter-cultural and cross-cultural communication. Students can also explore their own communication patterns and styles and the impact of these on social work practice with individuals and groups.
Prerequisites: All Second-year Social Work courses.

SWP 912	Social Work: Gerontology: Critical Issues and Future Trends	Lect: 3 hrs.
To assess the influence of Canadian and world demographic trends on the community services for the elderly; to assess the influence of recent Canadian research in the field of aging, on the community services of the future; to examine innovative and traditional programs administered both by government and private agencies in the Western industrial countries and to evaluate their relevance for Canada.
Prerequisites: All Second year Social Work courses.

SWP 913	Social Work: Creative Techniques for Direct Practitioners	Lect: 3 hrs.
This course is designed for students who plan to practice in direct service situations with individuals, groups, and families. The course will focus on the use of such creative methods and techniques as synectics, meta-phorical thinking, reversal, humour, irony and paradox. The creative techniques will be demonstrated and practised and related to individual, group and family theory.
Prerequisites: All Second-year Social Work courses.

SWP 914	Social Work: Ethical Dilemmas for Social Workers	Lect: 3 hrs.
Social workers often encounter situations in which the “right” course of action is not easy to determine. When is it justifiable to go against the wishes of the individual? How does one balance the rights and needs of one group against those of another? What is our responsibility if we observe questionable practices within our own agency? This course examines the nature of ethics, discusses the major sources of ethical dilemmas in social work, and seeks to assist students in developing and applying a framework for ethical decision-making in practice.
Prerequisite: All Second-year Social Work courses.

SWP 915	Social Work: Independent Study I	Lab: 3 hrs.
This course provides students with an opportunity to engage in specialized scholarly and project work within the field of social work, where the content of the proposed studies is unavailable in the curriculum. The proposed area of study must be related to the research and field interests, and availability of a social work faculty member. A plan of study must be submitted by the student and approved by the faculty member prior to course registration.
Prerequisites: All Second-year Social Work courses.

SWP 916	Social Work: Independent Study II	Lab: 3 hrs.
This course provides students with the opportunity to continue studies from SWP 915 in greater depth, or to pursue another specialized area of scholarly and project work in the field of social work, where the content of the proposed studies is unavailable in the curriculum. The proposed area of study must be related to the research and field interests, and availability of a social work faculty member. A plan of study must be submitted by the student and approved by the faculty member prior to course registration.
Prerequisites: SWP 915 and all Second-year Social Work courses.

SWP 917	Social Work: Special Topics I	Lab: 3 hrs.
This course provides students with the opportunity to pursue advanced seminar studies on issues and themes of immediate and current significance in the field of social work, where the content of the proposed seminar is unavailable in the curriculum. Seminars will be offered where there is demonstrated student interest, and available faculty expertise in the subject.
Prerequisites: All Second-year Social Work Courses.

SWP 918	Social Work: Special Topics II	Lab: 3 hrs.
This course provides students with the opportunity to pursue advanced seminar studies on issues and themes of immediate and current significance in the field of social work, where the content of the proposed seminar is unavailable in SWP 917 or in the curriculum. Seminars will be offered where there is demonstrated student interest, and available faculty expertise in the subject.
Prerequisites: All Second-year Social Work courses.

SWP 919	Social Work: Addictions I	Lect: 3 hrs.
An introduction to the field of addictions employing a biopsychosocial orientation. Topics reviewed are licit and illicit drug use in Canada, theories of addiction, the five primary psychoactive drug groupings and the addictions treatment system. The course also examines relevant policy trends and issues in the regulation and control of psychoactive drugs.
Prerequisites: All Second-year Social Work courses.

SWP 920	Social Work: Addictions II	Lect: 3 hrs.
This course examines the various treatment options currently employed in the addictions field. Topics discussed include matching and motivational counselling, relapse prevention, mutual aid/self-help, behavioural, group, and individual interventions. Students will also have the opportunity to assess and critique both self-help and professional addiction treatment methods.
Prerequisites: All Second-year Social Work courses.

SWP 921	Social Work: Disability Issues & Social Work Practice	Lect: 3 hrs.
This course examines disability issues within a socio-political context. Such a perspective contends that it is not the specific type of disability condition which is the major source of disadvantage to the individual, but the response that this condition evokes from the larger society. The course will challenge some of the traditional (and damaging) assumptions made about the needs of people labelled as being disabled and will present a framework for policy and practice designed to promote empowerment and inclusion.
Prerequisites: All Second-year Social Work courses.