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.
• The role of theory in shaping social work practice, policy, and research
• Anti-oppressive, structural, feminist, and social justice theories
• Indigenous and decolonizing theoretical perspectives in social work
• Evidence-based practice and the relationship between theory and empirical research
• Application of multiple theories to assessment, intervention, and evaluation
• Critical reflection on the limits of theory
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Explain the significance of theory in shaping social work practices, policies, and research;
- Analyze a range of social work theories and their practical applications;
- Critique the role of evidence-based practice that is informed by theoretical frameworks and empirical research;
- Explore Indigenous theoretical approaches and how they inform social work practice;
- Examine potential gaps between theory and real-world complexities, especially in working with diverse and marginalized populations;
- Demonstrate critical thinking skills in selecting and applying theories to practice, accounting for the sociopolitical and cultural contexts of clients;
- Apply a selection of theories to a situation and describe how each theory guides practice in that situation.
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
- Case studies
- Role-play demonstrations
- 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:
Shaikh, S. S., LeFrançois, B. A., & Macías, T. (Eds.). (Current edition). Critical social work praxis. Fernwood Publishing.
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