Lecture: 4 hours/week
In this course, students engage in a variety of learning activities such as lecture, discussion, group work, case studies, and presentations.
• Diverse family structures and definitions
• Family systems theories and generalist practice approaches
• Engagement, assessment, and intervention with families
• Family development and life cycles
• Strengths-based and collaborative practice
• Indigenous perspectives on family and healing
• Impacts of colonization and systemic inequities
• Use of self and reflexive practice
• Complex family challenges and caregiving
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Describe the role of social workers in supporting families;
- Explain the impact of systemic inequities on families;
- Apply theories used in generalist social work practice with families in the processes of engagement, assessment, and intervention;
- Discuss the impact of historical and ongoing colonization on Indigenous families;
- Apply theories used in Indigenous social work practice with families in the processes of engagement, assessment, and intervention;
- Use a variety of assessment and intervention strategies with families;
- Demonstrate the importance of self-awareness in reflective practice;
- Critically analyze one's own social location and articulate how use of self is incorporated into practice.
Assessment will be based on course objectives and will be in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. Instructors may use a student’s record of attendance and/or level of active participation in a course as part of the student’s graded performance. Where this occurs, expectations and grade calculations regarding class attendance and participation will be clearly defined in the Instructor Course Outline. This is a letter-graded course.
Typical means of assessment include the following:
- Written papers
- Presentations
- Projects
- Exams
- Participation
- Attendance
Textbooks and materials are to be purchased by students. A list of required textbooks and materials is provided for students at the beginning of the semester. Example texts may include:
- Albanese, P. (current edition). Canadian families today. Oxford University Press.
- Burnette, C. E. (2018). Family and cultural protective factors as the bedrock of resilience and growth for Indigenous women who have experienced violence. Journal of Family Social Work, 21(1), 45–62.
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