Master of Social Work (MSW)

Yeates School of Graduate Studies

Curriculum and Courses

The curriculum is designed to correspond to the field of study for the program. Core courses within the curriculum address complementary theories related to anti -oppression practice and social processes marginalization as they pertain to social work. The curriculum is constructed so that an integrated approach to practice is developed, a practice that is concerned with both micro and macro issues. The curriculum is imagined so that student can exercise analytic ability, professional judgement, research ability and an advanced level of social work intervention.

This Program is offered only as a ONE YEAR full-time program and consists of four required courses, two electives courses, a Field Practicum and a Major Research Paper (MRP).

* Students are required to take only 2 electives.

REQUIREMENTS
Major Research Paper 
SK8101 Criticl Persp on Marginalizatn 
SK8102 AOP Respons: Policy, Practice 
SK8103 Research for Social Change 
SK8104 Practice Research Seminar 
SK8105 Field Practicum

ELECTIVES**
SK8201 Critical Appro Commun Work
SK8202 Critc Perspec on Child Welfare
SK8203 The Settlemnt Experiencs in CA
SK8204 AOP in Health 
SK8205 Critcl Perspecs on Anti-Racism (Offered Winter 2013)
SK8206 AOP: Sexuality and Gender (Offered Winter 2013)
SK8207 Critical Social Policy 
SK8208 Indigen Knowldge in Social Wrk (Offered Fall 2012)
SK8209 Aboriginal SW Pract and Resrch 
SK8210 International Social Work
SK8211 Directed Studies
SK8212 Criticl Persp on Mental Health 
  
** Not all elective courses will be offered in a given academic year; students may substitute a relevant course from another graduate program in place of one elective, with the permission of the Program Director

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION
Source:  Yeates School of Graduate Studies Graduate Calendar

Major Research Paper
The major research paper provides the students the opportunity to engage in original research. The students engage in critical analysis and knowledge development with respect to social work practice. The paper should include sections on research design, methodology and theoretical development. Findings should apply to both social work practice and future graduate research. Students will be supervised by a professor and papers are to be reviewed by a second reader. This is a “Milestone”. Pass/Fail

SK8101 Critical Perspectives on Marginalization
This course explores social marginalization, both as a descriptive concept and as a set of multidimensional explanatory processes. The course aims to produce a complex understanding of the various forms that marginalisation has assumed at different times, and of how marginalization has been expressed in relation to particular groups in society. The aim of the course is to develop an analysis which fosters and encourages practical strategies of social work and political interventions.  Corequisite SK8102. 1 Credit

SK8102 Anti-oppression Responses to Marginalization
This course, taken concurrently with SK8010, theorizes historical developments and examines contemporary contexts of globalization. A wide range of anti-oppression social work strategies for responding to marginalisation is explored. The course examines the intricate and layered processes of oppression so that each person takes responsible action. Emphasis will be placed on critical analyses of anti oppression theories and practices. Students will also have opportunities to strengthen their self-reflexivity in terms of their own social location and their previous social work practice.  Corequisite SK8101. 1 Credit

SK8103 Advanced Research for Social Change
This course is focussed on advanced research methods so that students are prepared to design and engage in original research. This course provides knowledge and skills to conduct research from a critical and interpretive perspective. Students will also have opportunities to understand the contributory role of research in any anti-oppression response to marginalization and in the development of inclusive practices.  1 Credit

SK8104 Practice Research Seminar
In the seminar and practice,  students draw upon experience, theory and research in order to advance social work thought and/or develop theory focused practice responses. The seminar engages students in research that advances the knowledge base of anti oppression practice. The professor leads the seminar focused on applied research and theory. Knowledge development is guided by principles of promoting equity and social justice.  1 Credit

SK8105 Field Practicum
Students focus on the synthesis and application of advance anti- oppression social work practice knowledge. The student is expected to apply knowledge gained from practice, theory and research in their advanced practice role within practicum. Students are placed in field placement settings to experience and learn about advanced practice. Student field placements are congruent with the mission of the school and the field of study of the graduate program.  2 Credits.  Pass/Fail.

SK8201 Critical Approaches to Advanced Community Work
This course provides students with a critical understanding of different models and trends of community work in Canada. The course critically analyzes issues that impact marginalized communities in the current political context of social work practice. Through discussions with practitioners and academics, students learn about strategies for building counter power of communities to achieve social change.  1 Credit

SK8202 Critcal Perspectives on Child Welfare
This course critically explores the different aspects that have influenced the relationship between the State and the family through the child welfare systems in Canada. Particular attention will be placed into the overrepresentation of marginalized populations such as racialized, aboriginal, and single mothers within the child welfare system. Discourses of risk, motherhood, and other elements that are relevant to social work interventions will be discussed. Alternative child welfare practices will be also explored.  1 Credit

SK8203 The Settlement Experience in Canada
This course examines the experience of immigrants who have settled in Canada, their integration into Canadian society, and their social processes of marginalisation and exclusion in those experiences. This course considers the lived experiences of immigrants and the practical interventions that may interact with, reproduce or challenge processes of social exclusion. Equitable and anti-oppression approaches to service provision and community development with refugees and immigrants, including social movement and immigrant-based services are explored in-depth.  1 Credit

SK8204 Advanced Anti-Oppression Practice in Health
This course critically explores frameworks used to understand health and its determinants, and to link these to clinical, community, and policy arenas of social work practice. This course examines the different ways that health is conceptualized and implications of each for social work’s role.  1 Credit

SK8205 Critcal Perspectives on Anti-Racism
This course examines the critical anti-racism perspective as a necessary tool to challenge and dismantle oppressive social relations. The interconnections between social work research, policy, and practice from a critical anti-racism perspective is explored for the purpose of discovering avenues of social change possibilities that challenge the current status quo.  1 Credit

SK8206 Advanced Anti-Oppression Practice in Sexuality and Gender Variance
This course explores current theories and research concerning sexual diversity and gender variance. The focus  is on critical examination of the role of social movements, queer and TS/TG theories, community organizations, and social work practices. Students develop advanced skills in critically reflecting upon various social work practices.  1 Credit

SK8207 Critical Social Policy
This course explores historical and current social policy formation within the framework of critical analyses of processes of marginalization, resistance, and state intervention. In addition to gaining a strong grounding in critical social policy literature, students also have opportunities to learn techniques for policy research, policy analysis and program development.  1 Credit

SK8208 Indigenous Knowledge in Social Work
This course explores Indigenous and marginalized knowledge forms in a global context in relation to the area of social work and its implications for social justice and transformative change. It includes a critique of what constitutes "valid" knowledge, helping practices and research methodologies. Questions regarding power, difference, identity, representation and spirituality is emphasized.  1 Credit

SK8209 Regenerating Aboriginal Social Work Practices and Research
This course provides an overview of Aboriginal approaches to social work practices and research. The course draws upon contemporary Aboriginal social work literature to critically reflect on the nature of Aboriginal approaches. The worldview, helping practices and contextual considerations of Aboriginal persons will be considered.  1 Credit

SK8210 International Social Work
The course focusses upon the impact of globalization, post-colonialism and financial policies adopted by international organizations on the process of development in the countries of the ‘South.’ The course will critically analyze the social work response to these developments and explore the roles and scope of social work in addressing issues such as poverty, gender inequality and transnational relations.  1 Credit

SK8211 Directed Studies
Students arranges to work with an individual faculty member on a course designed to pursue readings in a specific area that is relevant to social work and/or anti-oppressive practice work with marginalized persons and communities.  1 Credit

SK8212 Critical Perspectives on Mental Health
This course explores ideas, texts, discourses and practices that have contributed to critical social work practice in mental health, introducing students to structural, feminist, aboriginal and post structural perspectives. Framed by anti-oppressive thought, the course centres voices, histories and approaches often marginalized by biomedical approaches to mental health and illness, using them to re-frame current issues in the field.  1 Credit