Social Work

Introduction to Social Work Practice

This course provides an overview of the history, philosophy and theories of the social work profession in Canada. The role of social workers in contemporary society is examined from social justice and client self-determination perspectives. Social structures that influence peoples’ lives, including wealth distribution, gender inequities, and prejudice, are explored as sources of oppression and marginalization in Canadian society. The relationship between personal problems and social context is examined. Multiple contexts and settings for the practice of social work are considered.

Introduction to Social Welfare

This course introduces students to the development of social welfare policy in Canada. Social and human rights reactions to social problems in general will be examined, as well as poverty and economic disadvantage in particular. The role of the social worker to influence policy development and help change the social structures that exist currently will be explored. Methods of forming social policy at the legislative and grassroots level will be considered. The intersection of personal, professional, and societal values will be examined related to larger issues of power, oppression, and the inclusion or exclusion of different members of society. During the course, students will be provided with opportunities to work on various policy issues to examine their impact on service delivery and the wellbeing of clients. The relationship between the profession of social work, political perspectives on society, and public opinion will be discussed as well.

Introduction to Social Work Practice

This course provides an overview of the history, philosophy, and ethics of the social work profession in Canada. The role of social workers in contemporary society is examined across multiple contexts and practice settings. Social work theories are introduced, and challenges faced by service users are considered from a range of theoretical perspectives. The relationship between personal problems, strengths, and social context is explored, focusing on the professional mandate to advance human rights and social justice. Social structures, including those maintaining colonialism, racism, classism, ableism, ageism, cissexism, and homophobia are investigated as sources of oppression and marginalization in Canadian society.

Counselling Theory and Practice I

This methods course introduces students to the foundation skills of interviewing and counselling. It emphasizes the importance of versatility in working with individuals in social work settings. Students will explore and apply interviewing and counselling skills for developing relationships, goal setting, and problem solving. Using a strengths approach, students will reflect on their interactions with others and explore ways to promote self-determination and empowerment. An awareness of working with Indigenous people will be explored along with people from various cultural backgrounds and identities.

Introduction to Social Welfare

This course introduces students to social welfare policy in Canada. Students will explore the historical development of these policies, considering the political, economic and theoretical factors that shape them. This course will examine various groups accessing social welfare services including women, Indigenous peoples, immigrants and refugees, children and Francophone individuals. The role of the social worker to support service users and influence existing policies and social structures will be examined. Students will investigate the intersection of personal, professional and societal values in relation to broader issues of power, oppression and the inclusion and exclusion of different societal members. Throughout this course, students will have the opportunity to critique policies based on their impact to service users and society.

Family Systems Social Work

In this course, students will examine a variety of family structures and explore key theories and approaches for assessing and engaging with families. Students will gain tools to understand family dynamics, strengths, diversity, and the role of natural support networks, community, and cultural contexts. Emphasis is placed on self-awareness and reflective practice, including understanding how one's own family background and social location influence professional interactions. Students will also examine the effects of colonization and learn strategies to support families from an anti-racist and anti-colonial lens.

Substance Misuse

Students will study several approaches to work with people with substance misuse issues. Topics will include an overview of the social costs of substance misuse, psychopharmacology, and the impact on the brain and behaviour. Students will examine different theoretical perspectives that help to explain substance misuse at the individual, family, and community level. Prevention strategies and treatment models including harm reduction and medical models are examined along with various counselling frameworks. The curriculum explores the connection between colonialism, capitalism, and substance misuse at the individual and societal level. Intersecting issues of gender, ethnic background, sexual orientation, and age are explored.

Social Work with Seniors

This course offers an overview of gerontology practice and policy issues from a social work perspective, focusing on the role of social workers in supporting older adults and their families in various settings. Topics include the biopsychosocial aspects of aging, housing challenges, social supports, legal considerations, substance use, mental health and end-of-life care. Students will also explore issues related to mental health and elder abuse, as well as the impact of poverty on older adults. The course utilizes inclusive practices, strength-based approaches and working with older adults from Indigenous and diverse multicultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Social Work Practice: Mental Health

This course provides foundational knowledge and skills for social work practice in the field of mental health. The course emphasizes strengths-based, recovery-oriented approaches. Students will explore historical, contemporary, and emerging perspectives on mental health, with a focus on the recovery model that views recovery and wellness as achievable goals. Topics include mental health legislation, ethical considerations, cultural contexts, and core issues in mental health social work practice. Students will examine and critically discuss models of illness classification, such as the DSM, and treatment approaches, integrating both medical and social work perspectives to support client-centered practice.

Metropolitan Social Work Practice

This course offers an overview of the knowledge and skills essential for social work practice in diverse metropolitan areas such as the Lower Mainland of British Columbia. Students will explore various issues and services related to working in a metropolitan area, including issues of housing, integration, employment, transportation, recreation, food security and health. Students will analyze the unique needs of service users in neighborhoods such as Vancouver's Downtown East Side and urban centers like Vancouver and Surrey. The course focuses on the effects of poverty, the experiences of marginalized populations and the social determinants of health.

Social Work Practice with Groups and Communities

Students will acquire knowledge of the theoretical foundations and practice skills for working with a wide range of groups and communities in social work practice. Students will explore group dynamics and gain skills that will enable them to be effective leaders and participants in groups. Models that promote empowerment, mutual aid, and self-awareness will be explored. Students will have the opportunity to explore and apply the skills of group design, participation, intercultural skills, and facilitation. Strategies for identifying and overcoming obstacles that commonly arise in groups will be examined.

Theories and Perspectives for Social Work Practice

The course provides students with an overview of essential theories, models and perspectives relevant to generalist social work practice. Students will examine theories important to social work practice such as developmental, bio-psychosocial, systems, anti-oppressive, feminist, strengths-based, social justice, social constructivism and structural. Students will explore the application of theories, models and perspectives to practice and develop a guiding framework for their own practice.

Counselling Theory and Practice II

This course offers students the opportunity to explore strengths-based, best-practice approaches for counselling individuals, with an emphasis on anti-colonial and anti-racist frameworks. Building on the foundational concepts of SOWK 2122, this course includes evidence-based approaches such as cognitive behavioural counselling, brief counselling, crisis intervention, and motivational interviewing. Through an inclusive, culturally responsive lens, students will develop skills to engage with clients’ individual, systemic, cultural, and spiritual differences, deepening their ability to provide compassionate, empowering, and socially just support.

Practicum I

In this course students will undertake assigned social work roles and tasks within a social service organization under professional supervision. In these field activities students will practice and demonstrate their ability to integrate social work skills, ethics, values, theory, and research in their work with clients, colleagues and the broader community. Students will report and reflect on their field experiences with faculty and peers throughout the semester in small group seminars and within individual assignments. Students learn about a range of social work field settings through their participation in seminar.
This course is linked to SOWK 3240 (Practicum II) and students will maintain their placement and seminar group throughout both courses.

Child Welfare Social Work

This course provides an overview of the historical, social, philosophical and political foundations of Canadian child welfare social work. Students will explore the knowledge and skills required to provide effective interventions to families and children. Child protection legislation and policy will be examined, as well as the impact of factors such as gender, class, disability, ethnicity and culture on child welfare issues in society today.

Practicum II

In this course students will undertake assigned social work roles and tasks within a social service organization under professional supervision. In these field activities students will practice and demonstrate their ability to integrate social work skills, ethics, values, theory, and research in their work with clients, colleagues and the broader community. Students will report and reflect on their field experiences with faculty and peers throughout the semester in small group seminars and within individual assignments. Students learn about a range of social work field settings through their participation in seminar.
This course follows SOWK 3140 (Practicum I) and students will maintain their placement and seminar group throughout both courses.

Social Work with Indigenous Peoples

This course will provide opportunities for social work students to develop their competence and understanding for working collaboratively with Indigenous people. Students will explore Indigenous approaches to healing, wellness and social work. An important theme of the course will be to understand Indigenous worldviews and experiences in the context of the historical and continuing impact of oppression and colonialism.

Macro Social Work

This course will assist students to overcome systemic barriers and to mobilize communities and organizations to address problems that are of common concern. Students will apply a macro perspective to understanding the nature of systems, organizations, and communities. They will explore strategies that support collective change efforts and promote human rights, social justice, and environmental sustainability. Students will be introduced to best practices in community development, needs and assets assessments, change management, advocacy, evaluation, and policy development. Students will engage in community-based activities to develop and apply their macro social work skills.

Risk Assessment, Mitigation & Prevention

This course supports students in developing essential skills to conduct risk assessments through a client-centered, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive lens. Students will engage in critical analysis of evidence-based practices, examining the limitations of traditional western approaches to risk assessment. By applying an intersectional framework, students will learn to assess risk while considering the impact of social identities on clients' experiences. The course emphasizes the importance of understanding the historical and contemporary harms of risk assessment practices and seeks to support students in applying more culturally responsive and ethical risk management approaches.

Practicum III

In this course students will undertake assigned social work roles and tasks within a social service organization under professional supervision. In these field activities students will practice and demonstrate their ability to integrate social work skills, ethics, values, theory, and research in their work with clients, colleagues and the broader community. Students will report and reflect on their field experiences with faculty and peers throughout the semester in small group seminars and within individual assignments. Students learn about a range of social work field settings through their participation in seminar.
This course is linked to SOWK 4240 (Practicum IV) and students will maintain their placement and seminar group throughout both courses.

Research Methods in Social Work

This course prepares students to evaluate and apply research to social work practice and policy development. Students will examine how qualitative, quantitative and mixed research methods contribute to knowledge and understanding the limits of knowledge. Students will develop a research question and apply knowledge of research design (ethical issues, recruitment, sampling, data collection, data analysis) to that question.

Social Work in Mandated Settings

This course teaches students to collaborate with individuals and families in identifying and implementing both short and long-term goals within formal systems of support. Goals may include addressing mental health, substance use and child welfare concerns. Students will use strength-based approaches and skills to empower families. Students will learn about culturally appropriate practice and approaches and how to engage individuals and families from diverse backgrounds. Students will learn ways to work with difficult to engage service users and will assess collaborative practice with individuals, families and on inter-disciplinary teams.

Practicum IV

In this course students will undertake assigned social work roles and tasks within a social service organization under professional supervision. In these field activities students will practice and demonstrate their ability to integrate social work skills, ethics, values, theory, and research in their work with clients, colleagues and the broader community. Students will report and reflect on their field experiences with faculty and peers throughout the semester in small group seminars and within individual assignments. Students learn about a range of social work field settings through their participation in seminar.
This course follows SOWK 4140 (Practicum III) and students will maintain their placement and seminar group throughout both courses.

Global and Environmental Perspectives in Social Work

In this course students will examine social work practice from a global perspective. Course content will include issues related to social justice, wealth inequality, human rights, human trafficking, global medical issues, war, oppression and colonization, particularly as these relate to migration and settlement. Students will consider how globalizing forces are manifested in local communities and learn about how to anticipate and respond to the social consequences. The environment, climate change and interventions will be examined from a global context. Students will apply international theory, including Indigenization, to their understanding of global issues.