Introduction to Writing Fiction

This course concentrates exclusively on the process of writing fiction. It includes instruction in character development, structure, and craft. A range of narrative styles will be discussed through a study of various fiction texts. Fiction produced by the students will be read and discussed by the instructor and students in a workshop environment.

Intro to Writing Children’s Literature

This course concentrates on writing for children and young adults. It includes instruction in writing fiction and non-fiction in a variety of forms, with emphasis on appropriate structures and styles for various age groups, and on how to create convincing and appealing characters. While students will read published works of children’s literature, the emphasis is on student work, which is discussed in a workshop.

Personal Narrative

This course concentrates on writing based on personal experience. Students develop an awareness of both self and the creative process by shaping biographical material into readable narratives. Instruction in a workshop format will focus on techniques needed to produce such creative forms as creative non-fiction, fiction, and poetry.

Writing Song Lyrics

This course concentrates on the process of writing song lyrics. Students learn key aspects of the craft, including song structure, rhyme, and various literary devices, plus the integration of lyrics with musical elements such as melody and meter. Students develop an appreciation for a range of genres through analysis of published works. Songs written by students are critiqued by the instructor and students in a supportive workshop environment. Some musical ability is an asset in this course, as simple recorded or performed versions of the students’ songs are required. However, students are not required to be virtuoso musicians.

Advanced Playwriting

This advanced workshop-based course concentrates on the process of writing plays. Students will explore and experiment with advanced methods of play creation exemplified by contemporary theatre makers. Student plays will be developed in a workshop environment; verbal participation and collaboration are essential to this course.

Writing for Film

Screenwriting, more than any other form of creative writing, is both artistic and technical. It requires a flair for dialogue, a familiarity with the film media, and an ability to work with life experience in a visual way. In this course, students will study the art of writing dialogue as well as the technique of structuring film scripts. The course will focus on the writing of concepts, outlines, treatments and scenes. The goal of this course is to write scripts with literary integrity. The emphasis in the course will be on student work which will be discussed in a workshop.

Advanced Poetry Writing

This course concentrates on writing poems, on developing an individual’s voice and craft in these poems, and on deepening the understanding of prosody. It includes instruction in writing poetry and developing one’s own style, while exposing students to a variety of poetic forms and devices. The student is expected to master certain forms; these forms and other poems will be read and discussed by the instructor and students in a workshop format. It is recommended, but not required, that students enrol in English 1114 (Studies in Poetry) before or while taking CRWR 2201.

Memoir Writing

This advanced workshop-based course concentrates on the process of writing memoirs. It is a second-level course designed primarily for students who have taken CRWR 1202 (Personal Narrative) and wish to further explore their creative writing in this genre. Students will craft and shape an extended narrative built on significant episodes and themes from their personal experience. Each student will be required to write several chapters of a memoir during the course. By reading and discussing contemporary texts, students will also be introduced to a wide array of narrative approaches and techniques used in memoir writing, particularly those related to form and structure.

Writing Speculative Fiction

This course focuses on the process of writing in the genre of speculative fiction (including science-fiction, fantasy, horror, and a range of sub-genres). It includes instruction in the use of compositional elements such as imagery, point-of-view, characterization, dialogue, setting and structure as they specifically relate to speculative fiction. Students will learn to utilize allegory, symbolism, extended metaphor and other literary devices frequently found in speculative fiction to further their creative intentions. The course will introduce students to a range of published speculative fiction, but the emphasis will be on student work, discussed in a workshop.

Writing Young Adult Fiction

This course focuses on writing Young Adult (YA) fiction, comprised of speculative, realism, romance, and a range of sub-genres. It includes instruction in the use of compositional elements such as imagery, point-of-view, characterization, setting, conflict, plot, and structure, as they relate to YA fiction. This course will introduce students to a range of published fiction samples—both short fiction and novel chapters—and craft approaches specific to YA genres. Verbal participation is key to this course, as there will be an emphasis on discussing peer student writing in the workshop.

Digital Storytelling

This course focuses on the process of creative writing for digital media, with instruction in creating immersive and multilinear stories, dialogue, and characters specifically for digital environments. The course will explore interactivity, choice, games, and the immersive in Virtual Reality (VR)/ Augmented Reality (AR)/ Extended Reality (XR), social media, cyber theatre, video platforms, and other emerging spaces for digital storytelling. To inspire and inform engagement with the creative process, the course will survey the historical contexts of digital storytelling and examine the roots of digital storytelling concepts, as well as deeply engage with educational applications, experimental work, representation, and equity. Students' work with digital storytelling will be developed in a workshop environment; verbal participation and collaboration are essential to this course.

Writing Short Fiction

This course concentrates solely on the process of writing short fiction. It includes instruction in the methods of beginning, sustaining, closing, revising and evaluating a short story. The student is introduced to a wide range of narrative approaches and techniques through the study of both traditional and contemporary texts.

Advanced Playwriting

Advanced Playwriting builds on the dialogue and scene development skills taught in the Introduction to Playwriting course. Students will learn to structure their plays in scenes and acts, and develop strong character arcs and plot twists. They will write a small-cast, full-length play (approximately 60 minutes). Although the emphasis will be on student work, in-depth analysis of various theatrical styles (solo shows, realism, absurdist, cabaret, etc.) will inform the workshop process. Students will explore the elements of theatre (set, lighting, costume and use of mixed media), attend the production of at least one play, and learn about the process of submitting work to theatre companies. Plays will be workshopped in class.

Assessment and Intake

This course is designed to assist adults with an employment barrier in taking the necessary preparatory steps to enter the full-time CSCT program. The course enables students to make informed decisions about entering the program and assists students to achieve success in the program. This is a required course taken by students prior to entrance into other CSCT programs.

Introduction to Employability Skills

This course is designed to help students identify the knowledge and skills required for obtaining and keeping employment. Course work will emphasize individual skill assessments, interpersonal communication skills, workplace responsibilities, teamwork skills, safety issues, and personal management skills for the workplace.

Customer Services Basics

This course is designed to help students identify the essential elements of good customer service skills for the retail industry. Course work will emphasize the importance of portraying a professional image, developing good communication skills and listening techniques. Students will learn effective strategies when dealing with customer complaints and telephone courtesy.

Cashiering Applications

This course will familiarize students with basic math concepts, and demonstrate proper techniques when using electronic adding machines. Students will learn the fundamentals of product sales and a Point of Sale computerized cashier system. Hands on lab training will provide the students with the essential knowledge for the level of competency required to integrate their skills into the practicum setting.

Job Search Skills and Maintenance

This course is designed to prepare adults with an employment barrier with a comprehensive overview of job seeking techniques. Students will be given the opportunity to write a resume, practice interviewing skills, review employment rights and responsibilities. Emphasis will be placed on developing good work habits and attitudes required to keep a job.

Community Practicum

This course is designed to provide students with a realistic work opportunity in a community practicum. The intent of the course is for students to transfer skills learned in the classroom and lab to the work environment. Students are placed at a practicum in a supervised and supportive atmosphere in the customer service or retail field.

Productivity Software and Client Support

In this course, the student develops mastery of advanced MS-Office features. Integration of data from different MS-Office applications will be covered. The student will learn about software support functions in an office setting and trouble-shooting techniques. Basic Help Desk support functions will be introduced and put into practice.
Note: Students who have received credit for CISY 1410 will not receive further credit for CSIS1140.

Introduction to Programming I

This course introduces students to computing science and programming. It includes fundamental concepts and terminology of computing science, program design and fundamental building blocks for programming in a high-level language. Topics cover, but are not limited to Windows forms, properties, pseudo code, data types, arrays, operators, control structures, methods, classes, objects, and fundamental algorithms.

Introduction to Web Technologies

This course covers the fundamentals of web technologies. Students will be introduced to web development and management components that includes programming languages and tools to produce dynamic and fully featured websites for marketing or business purposes. The course will introduce students to both the front-end web development scripting languages such as HTML, CSS and JavaScript; and the back-end web development scripting such as PHP and MySQL. Students will also learn to deploy and manage popular content management systems such as WordPress and learn how to integrate social media and search engine optimization to enhance the digital marketing strategy of the deployed website.

Excel for Business

This course covers essential features of Microsoft Excel software. Topics include workbooks and worksheets, functions and formulas, charts, datasets and data tables, pivot tables, what-if analyses, date and time functions, logic functions, statistical functions and data analysis, multi-sheet workbooks, data import and transformation, templates and MACROs.

Introduction to Programming II

This course is a thorough introduction to computer science and programming suitable for students with some programming background. Students will learn the fundamental concepts and terminology of computer science and acquire elementary programming skills in the Java programming language.
This course is intended for students who will major in computing science or a related program.

Multimedia Web Development

This course covers the fundamentals of Web site development and design using HTML, CSS and JavaScript. Students will learn how to create structured websites using HTML, how to use the most up to date CSS styles to create responsive, visually appealing pages and captivating designs, and how to implement client-side script using basic concepts in JavaScript to integrate interactivity and dynamic behavior to web pages, and to validate web forms.

Advanced Integrated Software Development

This is an intensive Java programming course. Students are assumed to have prior knowledge in Object Oriented Programming, data manipulation (text, binary, database), prior knowledge in GUI design, and event handling.

Students will learn Java application development using packages, classes, abstract, interface, inner classes, file i/o, graphical user interface, database connectivity, and many more.

Systems Analysis & Design

This course provides an introduction to information systems analysis techniques. Students will learn the skills needed to analyze and design information systems, and they will apply these skills in a step-by-step manner leading from the recognition of a problem to the implementation of a solution on a case study.

Operating Systems

This course introduces the major components of operating systems, such as memory management, processor management, process management and file management. Emphasis will be placed on system performance under different design alternatives. Some popular operating systems, such as Windows, Unix/Linux, and Android may be used to illustrate their implementations. Students are required to work on at least two operating systems. This course is suitable for students who wish to learn more about the operating system process under different system environments, such as mobile, desktop and server environments.

Virtualization and Computer Networking

This course introduces students to virtualization and networking technologies. Students are required to set up and configure software systems for server and desktop virtualization provisioning. Students will also gain hands-on experience in configuring network devices and using packet capturing tools for network monitoring and program debugging. Other topics include TCP/IP and related protocols, subnet planning, and virtual LANs. This course is suitable for students who would like to gain practical knowledge on system virtualization and enterprise network operation.

Database I

This course will provide the student with knowledge of database concepts. Emphasis will be placed on database design, development and querying using DBMS installed on both LAN and cloud environments. Concepts covered include ER modelling, normalization, and database design theory. Hands on activities will allow students to create, maintain and query various databases. An introduction and overview of stored procedures, triggers and data warehousing will also be covered.

ASP .NET

This course will provide a solid understanding of many of the features and capabilities of Microsoft's ASP.NET technology in the development of dynamic web sites. Topics will include technology overview, definition and uses of classes in Visual Basic, toolbox controls, managing style, data validations, interaction with SQL databases, AJAX, and LINQ.
Note: Students who have received credit for CISY 2365 will not receive further credit by taking CSIS 2365.

Fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

This course provides a foundational knowledge of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies, introducing students to Large Language Models (LLMs), prompt engineering, the design landscape, cybersecurity threats, and ethical considerations of Generative AI applications. The course also introduces students to AI-augmented software, systems, and applications development.

IT SECURITY FUNDAMENTALS

This course provides the student with an understanding of security fundamentals. The student will learn the concepts and technologies required to secure a network. Viruses, Worms, and Trojans are discussed, and the student will learn to implement security policies. Topics include risk analysis, network protocols, architecture security, types of attacks, authentication, encryption, network security applications and appliances, firewalls, virtual private network, and intrusion detection system.

Evidence Imaging

This course covers the concepts and practical skills of gathering, collecting, and recovering various cyber-security artifacts as digital evidence that can be used in forensic analysis. The course introduces students to the different types of digital information stored in file, registry, application, internet, and network artifacts that should be gathered as evidence. Students will gain practical hands-on in using different tools such as EnCase, FTK and dd to create evidence image. Student will also learn how to analyze and to add interpretation to the raw data to conduct further analysis.

Introduction to Mobile Application Development

In this course, students will learn to develop mobile applications to solve business problems. Topics covered include different software platforms, tools for development, user interface, and database handling for mobile applications.

Business Support Systems with Excel

In this course, students will build on their knowledge to apply advanced Excel features to create unique business support systems (BSS). Topics include Advanced Functions (Business, Statistics, Logical), Macro's, Power Pivot Tables, User Defined Functions (UDF), What-If Analysis tools and Power BI Dashboards. This is a case-based course where students will be presented with real world capstone business problems and create multifaceted business systems using Excel and the agile system development methodology.

Applied Knowledge Management

This course aims to provide students with applied skills and training in the areas of knowledge and process management with a focus on analysis, modelling, design, and implementation. Students will gain practical experience in leveraging information technology tools to improve project management practices, document management, workflows, business processes, and compliance.

Advanced Networking

This course introduces students with knowledge and skills on designing, setting up and managing enterprise networks. Topics include subnet planning with classless IPv4 addresses, dynamic routing protocols, spanning tree protocols, wireless LAN (WLAN) technologies and deployment, and IPv6 migration techniques. Students will gain hands-on experience in configuring routers and switches, setting up network access controls, and carrying out site survey for WLAN. This course is suitable for students who would like to gain practical knowledge on designing and maintaining enterprise networks.

Software Engineering

This course will introduce the student to software engineering in a practical competency-based context. Topics covered in this class will help the student in familiarizing themselves with the discipline of Software Engineering in a modern context.

This course will take a lecture/lab classroom approach by introducing the students to the theory and concepts of software engineering and then implementing them in various labs and finally re-enforced using a fully implemented software project.

Topics that will be covered include: Managing software projects, Software development life-cycle, Version Control, Software teams, Software Process and Metrics, WhiteBox and Blackbox Testing, Unified Modeling Language (UML) for Object-Oriented Design, Design Patterns, Architectural Patterns and Software.

Students will participate in all of the common aspects of software engineering through a term project to apply the concepts they learn. Theory and concepts will be re-enforced with a Lab component followed by implementation requirements in a team-based context for the students term project.

Backend Web Development

This course will introduce students to server-side scripting using popular scripting language such as PHP. Emphasis will be placed on training students in applying scripting techniques to build and administer database driven dynamic web content solutions in a web hosting environment.

Fundamentals of Machine Learning in Data Science

In this course, students will learn to apply machine learning concepts to analyze data and make predictions. Students will learn how to collect and wrangle data, to explore data using statistics and visualizations, to transform data for further modeling, to model data using machine learning algorithms to predict data patterns, and to evaluate these model-based predictions. Students will be expected to have prior experience with fundamentals of programming.

Database II

This course will continue on from CSIS 2300 exploring advanced features of database systems. Topics covered will include indexing; query processing and optimization; transaction processing; denormalization; star schema; DW/OLAP cubes; security. NoSQL and MapReduce will also be covered.

Fundamentals of Data Analytics

In this course, students will gain the basic understanding of the emerging Data Analytics field. The students will be required to work with real-world examples using current computing tools. Integral to the course is a group project where students will complete a variety of tasks including: requirement elicitation; developing hypothesis; data exploration; dimensional analysis; identifying metrics; and visual presentation of results.

UX Design in Web and Mobile Applications

This course provides students the opportunity to learn and apply principles of UI/UX design to web and mobile applications. Students will learn how to ideate on their web and mobile applications, empathize and describe user needs and pain points with user studies and storyboarding, propose design solutions, map user journey and create hands-on high-fidelity prototypes using various prototyping tools and techniques. Students will iterate and improve these designs based on UX testing with target users. Students will explain and implement recent UI/UX trends in web and mobile applications.

Full Stack Development With Javascript

This course provides the fundamental knowledge necessary to design and develop dynamic web pages using JavaScript. The course will also introduce students to client-side JavaScript frameworks (e.g., React.js) and how client-side scripts interact with server-side programs using Ajax. Furthermore, the course will introduce students to back-end concepts and tools for end-to-end (i.e., full-stack) JavaScript web development, including back-end JavaScript technologies and frameworks (e.g., Node.js, Express), REST concepts and NoSQL databases. Students will learn how to architect, develop, deploy, and manage a RESTful Web Service, and develop a fully functioning full-stack web application. Comprehensive hands-on exercises are integrated throughout the course to reinforce learning and develop real competency.

Natural Language Processing

This course teaches the theories and hands-on skills for natural language processing (NLP). Students will learn how to collect, process, and analyze natural language data or text data using various algorithms and automatic approaches. Students will have hands-on practice writing programs to build different NLP related applications.

Data Structures & Algorithms

The purpose of this course is to provide the students with solid foundations in the basic concepts of programming: data structures, data abstraction and algorithms. The main objective of the course is to teach the students how to select, design and implement data structures, abstract data types and algorithms that are appropriate for problems that they might encounter. This course offers the students a mixture of theoretical knowledge and practical experience. It also develops skills of the modular approach to produce maintainable, documented and tested Java applications. Java is the programming language used for implementation.

Client Server Systems

This course will provide the student with practical knowledge of developing and implementing client-server systems. Topics will include DDL, DML, host based processing, designing complex queries, stored procedures, triggers, using object-oriented programming and ADO .NET frameworks. Use of LINQ and lambda expressions will be covered. The course will use Visual Studio and C# to build client-server systems.

Scripting for CyberSecurity

This course will provide students with a comprehensive introduction to scripting and automation within the context of information security including systems administration, text processing, alerting and more. This is a lab-based course consisting of three modules. First students receive an introduction to the Linux operating system, including bash shell scripting, text processing and basic *nix commands in a command-line environment. The second part covers Windows operating system topics focusing on PowerShell, automation for various infrastructure and operational tasks, data analysis, and using internal windows system components such as WMI and WinRM to analyze system state information. PowerShell will also be used to cover some of the topics mentioned above. The third part of the course will focus on tools for individual use and customization requirements in addition to automation using Python. This course will equip students with a practical hands-on knowledge, literacy, tools and languages to help them succeed in the CyberSecurity Program.

Fundamentals of Data Engineering

This course covers data engineering concepts and the systems, processes, practices, and tools used in data engineering. Students will learn how to select and configure suitable data engineering infrastructures for various data engineering use cases, and to develop, implement, and manage pipelines for ingesting data from different data sources. Students will also learn how to securely provision ingested data to downstream data consumers. Throughout the course, contemporary data engineering tools will be used for hands-on class demonstrations, exercises, and projects.

Data Visualization

In this course, students will learn the skills to present analytics results in a clear, concise and visually appealing manner. This hands-on course will introduce students to various tools and techniques of data visualization, visualization best practices, and common pitfalls. Use of Data Visualization tools such as Tableau is adopted in this course for the hands-on skills. Students will also work on building targeted dashboards based on their audience’s need. Other tools such as d3.js, dc.js, Google Charts, etc. are also introduced to reflect on the variety of data visualization tools available for a data analyst to visualize the results of analysis.

Advanced Object Oriented Programming for Business Applications

This course will provide the student with practical knowledge of developing and implementing business related applications using the latest Microsoft coding innovations. Topics will include DDL, DML, host-based processing, designing complex queries, triggers, and extensive coverage of ADO.NET. Along with the coverage of database access using Relational and Non-relational database(s), these topics will be covered: XML and XML integration with ADO.NET. The course will use Visual Studio .NET to build Advanced Windows Applications.

Note: For CSIS programs, students can receive credit for one of: CISY 3540/CSIS 3540 or CSIS 4050.

Digital Forensics

This course will provide a foundation of concepts in digital forensics including theory, technical tools and methodologies employed in this area. It is aimed at students with limited or no prior exposure to digital forensics. The students are expected to have prior knowledge of networking and network security concepts.
The students will learn digital forensics concepts, tactical issues, the methodologies used, and the tools needed to perform forensics investigations. Digital forensics for computers, networks, cell phones, GPS, the cloud and the Internet will be discussed. Students will get hands-on laboratory experience in using various digital forensic tools such as Autopsy/The Sleuth Kit, OSForensics, EnCase, FTK, Cellebrite, BlackLight or equivalent to apply the concepts learned in the course.

Mobile Application Development II

This course provides students the opportunity to learn and develop advanced Android applications. It covers threading and asynchronous processing, services, connecting to local and remote database, notifications, common Android APIs.

Majority of the coursework would be in the form of programming projects. The students would be given several case studies/projects that they need to analyze, assess/evaluate, design, and implement.

This course may also be taught using Kotlin, Jetpack Compose, React Native, Flutter, or other similar frameworks.

Special Topics in Data Analytics

Students will learn about emerging technologies and trends in Data Analytics. This course is divided into several modules. Each module represents a specialized body of knowledge focusing on the technical aspects of the 4V's of big data ( Volume, Velocity, Variety, and Veracity) as well as policy and other aspects such as privacy and ethics. Students will also get a chance to research state-of-the-art Data Analytics in an industry of their choice. This course will provide students the required breadth to jumpstart their career in the Data Analytics field.

Cloud Infrastructure

This course is designed to introduce the concepts of Cloud Computing. The course will expose students to three different perspectives of Cloud Computing: the theoretical, the technical, and the commercial perspectives. A variety of real case studies and existing market cloud-based tools will be identified and studied to provide students with an overview of Cloud Computing applications. Student will also look into more in-depth considerations for planning, designing and migrating to Virtualized Data Centres (VDC) and Cloud environments.

Special Topics in Emerging Technology

This course focuses on emerging technologies in web, mobile, and cloud. Students will learn key architecture and design patterns for mobile application development, handling of sensors, Bluetooth, cloud integration, and web/REST (Representational State Transfer) services. Students will also develop, test and debug cross-platform apps and learn to reuse and share code across different platforms. Using a project-based approach, students will get hands-on experience in building native/cross-platform apps ranging in social media, games, education, and location-aware apps.

DevOps Fundamentals

This course will provide students with a comprehensive hands-on introduction to DevOps Pipelines (Plan, Develop, Build, Test, Deploy, Monitor). The course will begin with a brief introduction to systems administration and a development framework that will be used throughout the course for the DevOps pipeline. Students will have to develop a small application which will be
used as a vehicle to implement the DevOps pipeline.

Artificial Intelligence Augmented Software Development

In this course, students learn to design, build, and deploy production-ready AI-powered software systems. They use AI application development practices across the full Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) — from requirements and planning through implementation, testing, and deployment. The course covers advanced techniques, including extended Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) pipelines, agentic system design, automated quality assurance, and production architecture, with emphasis on evaluating trade-offs between AI automation and human oversight to ensure secure, reliable, and maintainable systems.

Mobile CyberSecurity

In this course, students will adopt a hands-on, multi-tool approach to mobile forensics with a focus on android devices. Students will understand the challenges in mobile forensics, and conduct a thorough investigation of evidence from mobile devices. Students will develop skills to prepare the environment after initial investigation, and analyze, extract, preserve and apply recovery techniques of mobile forensic evidence. Students will also identify malware, and illustrate the spread and impact of malware, and how to protect and remove malware from android devices.

Operating System & Multimedia CyberSecurity

This course focuses on host-based security and will provide students with in-depth, hands-on experience in operating system hardening, including user account management, host intrusion detection, SEIM/SOAR configuration, implementation and customization, filesystem encryption, and jailing. Besides host hardening, students will gain practical hands-on experience in implementing patch management and host-based security policies.

Cloud CyberSecurity

The objective of the course is to provide students with the knowledge and practical experience in identifying and mitigating potential attacks on cloud computing platforms and shared service environments.

Network CyberSecurity

The objective of the course is to provide the students with the knowledge and practical experience in identifying and mitigating potential attacks on networks and networked devices.

Vulnerabilities and Exploits

This course introduces students to the knowledge and skills on identifying, acknowledging, assessing, mitigating, and managing various vulnerabilities that pose a threat to the organization’s network and data in general. Topics include various types of vulnerabilities – injection, broken authentication and session management, broken access control, cross-site scripting (XSS), security misconfiguration, sensitive data exposure, insufficient attack, site request forgery (CSRF), using components with known vulnerabilities, and unprotected APIs, to name a few. Students will gain theoretical and hands-on experience in identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities, develop recovery policies and procedures to guide safe return to normal state, define accountability and responsibility, and work with security auditing processes to protect the data and network of the organization. This course is suitable for students who would like to gain overall knowledge on identifying and managing vulnerabilities and exploits associated with computer networks.

Special Topics in CyberSecurity

The course explores timely and emerging topics that are relevant to cybersecurity. Topics can be gleaned from current issues, such as cloud computing, digital forensics, compliance, software development, IoT, and other contemporary issues in cybersecurity. Both the management and the technical aspect of each cybersecurity issue will be examined and critically analyzed. Students will be given a chance to formulate strategic responses to resolve these issues or improve the situation. The course is research-oriented.

Applied Research Project

This course enables students in Computing Studies and Information Systems programs to acquire practical experience in defining, designing, developing and implementing a special computer systems project. Projects will be done individually or in small groups in consultation with the instructor. The instructor will work with each individual or group to select an appropriate computer project. Project topics may vary from in-depth research to systems analysis and design development proposals. The student will learn more about technical documentation. Project management fundamentals will also be covered.

Introduction to Social Work Practice

This course provides an introduction to and an analysis of the history and structure of major social policies and programs in Canada. The problems of social justice and economic disadvantage in particular will be examined within the broader realm of service delivery in the non-profit sector. Initiatives to increase self-determination, the redistribution of wealth, gender equity, and reduction of prejudice will be explored as themes within the dynamic of creating a more egalitarian and humane society. Other themes to be examined include multiculturalism, anti-oppressive social work practice, and working with aboriginal populations.

Interviewing and Counselling Skills

This methods course emphasizes the development of versatility in working with individuals in social service settings. Students will explore and apply interviewing and counselling skills for information gathering, relationship development, goal setting, and problem solving. Students will reflect on their interactions with others and explore ways to promote self-determination and empowerment. Self-awareness will be emphasized as a critical prerequisite for effective helping. Understanding of culture, diversity, and worldview will be viewed as essential elements for understanding and responding to clients.

Introduction to Social Welfare

This course provides an introduction 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 in influencing policy development, including working to change the structures that currently exist, will be explored. The methods of forming social policy at the legislative and grassroots level will be considered.

Wellness: Self and Professional Practice

This course emphasizes a developmental approach to self-care and self-awareness in professional practice. It provides students with a framework to explore and apply wellness themes. Strategies to prevent and manage workload stress will be explored. Students will learn to use reflective writing as a tool for personal wellness and professional practice.

Working with Groups

This course is designed to assist students to develop their understanding of group dynamics and to gain skills that will enable them to be more effective leaders and participants in groups. Students will have the opportunity to explore and apply the skills of group participation, design and facilitation. Models that promote empowerment, mutual aid, and self-awareness will be explored. Strategies for identifying and overcoming obstacles that commonly arise in groups will be examined. Evaluation of group outcomes will be discussed.

Inner City Social Service Work

This course emphasizes an understanding of the specialized work performed by social service workers in the inner city. Students will examine the unique needs of clients in neighborhoods such as the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, as well as the urban core of other cities such as Surrey and New Westminster. The impact of issues such as poverty, addiction, discrimination, sex trade, health, homelessness and housing will be explored, as well as services needed to address these issues. Students will have the opportunity to explore both myths and realities of life in the inner city.

Practicum I

This course provides opportunities for students at a beginning level to practice skills in selected sites under supervision. Students will integrate and reflect upon their educational, personal and professional experiences in practicum and seminar.

Community Practice: Employment

In this course, students will examine the process of employment counselling based on four areas of focus: job loss, career planning, job search skills, and life skills. Students will have an opportunity to develop the practical skills necessary to assist people to make career transitions and to obtain employment. They will also examine the social and psychological effects of unemployment.

Families: Change and Development

In this course students examine families from a systems perspective. Starting with students’ own families, participants are offered tools to use in understanding and reflecting on their own family experience and its impact on professional practice. The concepts of family strengths, diversity, natural support networks, community, social context and culture are examined. Emphasis is placed on the collaborative and supportive roles that social service workers have with families.

Practicum II

This course provides opportunities for students to build on their practice skills from Practicum I in selected sites under supervision. Students will integrate and reflect upon their educational, personal and professional experiences in practicum and seminar.

Community Practice: Mental Health

This course explores the values, attitudes, knowledge and skills required to understand mental illness and promote recovery of individuals in the community who have mental disorders. Students will have opportunities to explore the nature of mental illness through the eyes of individuals who have experienced mental health problems. Students will learn about the causes, symptoms and treatment of mental illness. Community resources and an overview of mental health services will be discussed together with an exploration of the role of social service worker in working with persons who have mental disorders.

Specialized Interventions

This methods course offers students an opportunity to further develop their practice skills and knowledge introduced in earlier CSSW courses. Students will examine evidence based best practice strategies in a variety of practice situations. Students will further refine their interviewing and counselling skills using a variety of theoretical approaches. The use of supervisory relationships will be explored as a tool for professional development.

Families in Community Context

Building on the course content in CSSW 2333, Families: Change and Development, students will examine critical issues families and communities may encounter, including child abuse and partner violence, legalities involved in separation and divorce, child custody, fostering, addictions, illness, multiculturalism and First Nations’ families. Students will explore the role of the social service worker in providing support, assessment and referrals to families requiring services.

Practicum III

This course provides opportunities for students to build on their practice skills from Practicum I and Practicum II in selected sites under supervision. Students will integrate and reflect upon their educational, personal and professional experiences in practicum and seminar.

Gerontology

This course is designed to provide students with an overview of practice and policy issues in applied gerontology. The emphasis is on the role of social service workers assisting older adults and/or their families in home, community, or residential care settings. The learner will recognize the normal challenges and changes experienced by aging Canadians, examine their own aging process and become more familiar with current theories and principles in working with seniors in a multicultural society. Larger political and legislative forces will be examined in terms of how they impact services.

Introduction to Community

This course focuses on the development of a professional identity through examination of values, worldviews, and personal ethics in the context of the professional ethics in human services. Students will examine how factors relating to diversity, self-determination, social and economic justice, and power relations affect the formation of strong, healthy communities. Through critical thinking skills, students will explore and reflect on historical and current perspectives and ethical decision-making. Current legal and policy trends will be discussed in relation to significant social and cultural issues.

Working with Indigenous Communities

This course focuses on developing a professional identity by examining personal ethics, Indigenous values, experiences, and worldviews. Students will develop a critical understanding of the role of diversity, self-determination, social and economic justice, and power relations in forming strong and healthy communities. Students will use critical thinking concepts to explore and reflect on historical and current perspectives when engaging in ethical decision-making. Legal, political, social and cultural connotations around self-determination for Indigenous peoples are considered.

Change and Development Lifespan

This introductory course explores how human development changes across the lifespan. Drawing on major developmental theories and the lived experience, students will investigate human development in the context of biological, physical, emotional, cognitive, contextual and cultural influences. Emphasis will be placed on major transitions from fetal development to death. The impact of ethnicity and psycho social and cultural factors will be examined.

Introduction to Professional Child and Youth Care Practice

This course provides an overview of professional child and youth care practice. Students will develop their child and youth care knowledge through an exploration of the history and substance of child and youth care, as well as an examination of the role of the reflective child and youth care practitioner within various contexts, including family, community, and institutional settings.

Introduction to Indigenous Child and Youth Care Practice

This course examines ways of engaging in meaningful, reciprocal relationships with Indigenous communities. It focuses on bridging Indigenous epistemologies with Western child and youth care practice. Importance is placed on developing positive and effective child and youth care practice that supports healing, wellness, and resilience.

Empowerment Through Activity-Based Learning in the Life-Space

This introductory course focuses on the strategic use of activities as fundamental tools in child and youth care to promote learning, personal growth, and social integration among children and youth of all abilities. Through a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application, students will explore how structured activities can be designed and utilized to facilitate developmental goals, enhance self-awareness, and improve interpersonal skills across diverse groups. The course highlights the significance of inclusivity, creativity, and adaptability in activity planning and implementation, ensuring that all participants benefit equitably.

Relationship Building with Children and Youth

This course is designed to introduce students to the basic theories and practices of relationship-building with children and youth. The course will emphasize the development of professional helping relationships, active listening skills and empathy. From the perspectives of Child and Youth Care and Youth Justice work, students will learn ways of supporting children and youth to explore challenges and to respond to related feelings. Culture and worldview will be viewed as essential elements for understanding and responding to children and youth.

Practicum I

This practicum course provides students with the opportunity to engage with children and youth in diverse practice settings. Through an anti-colonial, anti-racist and anti-oppressive lens, students will integrate theoretical knowledge with professional practice guided by the Child and Youth Care Education Consortium of British Columbia, the North American Competencies for Child and Youth Work Practitioners, and the Child and Youth Care Educational Accreditation Board of Canada.

Practicum

This course provides opportunities for students to translate theory into practice. Students will practice skills in selected sites under supervision. Students will integrate and reflect upon their educational, personal and professional experiences in practicum and seminar.

Supporting Change in the Life-Space

This course is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to support change and growth in the lives of young people. Students will have the opportunity to learn about and engage with various approaches to supporting change in the life-space from multiple theoretical perspectives. Building on the foundational relationship-building skills introduced in CYCC 1220, students will integrate those skills with various interventions intended to foster relationships, growth and development. Students will apply and reflect on the effectiveness and limitations of practiced interventions in promoting relationships and growth in young people leading diverse lives.

Continuum of Substance Use

In this course, students will critically explore various theoretical perspectives on substance use using an anti-racist, anti-oppressive and anti-colonial lens. Particular attention is given to applying harm reduction frameworks. Students will examine how systemic inequities—including those related to race, class, gender, and colonial histories—shape experiences of addiction and access to support. Through critical self-reflection, students will explore their own values, biases and assumptions about substance and consider how that impacts their practice with young people.

Policy, Legislation, and Practices

This course will examine the policy, legislation, and standards related to child and youth care services in British Columbia. The course will focus students on developing a professional identity by exploring personal and professional ethics, values, experiences, and worldviews. Students will analyze and reflect on historical and current perspectives in the application of policy, legislation, and standards in the lives of children, youth, and families.

Indigenous Children, Youth and Families: Understanding Legislation and Policies

This course will review the policy, legislation, and practice standards governing Indigenous children, youth, and family services, including Indigenous child welfare authorities. A review of the impacts of colonial legislative policies on the lives of Indigenous children, youth and families in B.C. will be addressed in the current context. Addressing the need for systems accountability will also be emphasized.

Working with Others in Groups

Students will have the opportunity to explore and apply the skills of group participation, design, and facilitation. Models that promote empowerment, mutual aid, and self-awareness will be presented for examination and application to practice with groups.

Families: Working from an Indigenous Perspectives

In this course, students will examine Indigenous societies' pre-colonial family structures, contextualizing them within the devastating impact of imperial interventions such as the Indian Act, Residential Schools, and the Sixties Scoop. Through the lens of Indigenous worldviews, students will critically reflect on their familial backgrounds, recognizing and celebrating their families' unique gifts, strengths, and resilience. By engaging with Indigenous knowledge systems, including Elders' teachings, Indigenous Storywork, and the lessons embedded within, students will gain insight into how these resources can inform the revitalization of Indigenous-focused family support systems.

Change and Development Families: Working From a Family Perspective

This course examines families through a range of theoretical perspectives, including the ecological model, family systems theory, and Indigenous and diverse and racialized lived experiences. Students begin by exploring their own family histories, using a variety of frameworks to map, analyze, and reflect on their lived experiences. Through this process, students develop preliminary skills for understanding and working with families in Child and Youth Care practice.

The course also explores the diversity of family structures, relationships, and dynamics, with a focus on how identity, culture, and family function are social constructs in the Canadian context. Students will critically examine the historical, cultural, social, and economic factors that shape and impact family life using CYC perspectives as well as anti-colonial, anti-oppressive and anti-racist lens while keep children and youth at the centre of their learning.

Mental Health in Childhood & Adolescence

This course explores the various roles of child and youth care practitioners in supporting the mental health of children and youth. Students critically examine how systemic factors such as colonization, racism, and other forms of structural inequity shape mental health experiences and access to care. The course encourages deep self-reflection on personal values, cultural identities, and positionality. Students will also gain a foundational understanding of British Columbia’s mental health system, service models, and approaches to care.

Understanding Indigenous Perspectives and Experiences

This course introduces students to working with Indigenous peoples respectfully, through an understanding of relevant historical events, current intergenerational grief affecting families and communities, and the people’s resilience.

Practicum II

This course is the second on-site practicum experience, offering students the opportunity to engage with children, youth and families in a practice setting different from that of CYCC 1240. Through an anti-colonial, anti-racist and anti-oppressive lens, students will integrate theoretical knowledge with professional practice guided by the Child and Youth Care Education Consortium of British Columbia, the North American Competencies for Child and Youth Work Practitioners, and the Child and Youth Care Educational Accreditation Board of Canada.