Social Work

Course Description:

The overall purpose of Social Work 5046: Theory for Social Work Practice II is to assist students to strengthen both their Indigenous and non-Indigenous theoretical foundation for social work practice and their ability to integrate into their personal and professional lives developing knowledge, skills, and values.  This course will present some recent and critical developments in Indigenous and non-Indigenous knowledge and theory along with a variety of theories that may enhance structural social work practice if integrated appropriately.  A variety of theories that inform direct practice approaches will be studied.

Class time will be spent introducing and critically exploring these theories and developments, and their application to Indigenous social work practice.  Through this process students will be encouraged to clarify and articulate their own assumptions and beliefs, their approach to Indigenous social work, and their ability to operationalize their approach in work at the individual, group, and community levels.      

Course Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, students will be expected to:

1. Demonstrate a broad theoretical foundation based on Indigenous and non-Indigenous ways of understanding so they are in an informed position within First Nation communities and beyond from which to begin professional practice. 

2. Demonstrate a beginning understanding of various theories of human behavior, their respective strengths and limitations, and the differences and similarities among many theories and perspectives that may impact Indigenous and non-Indigenous social work practice.

3. Articulate the relevance of these Indigenous and non-Indigenous theories of human behaviour for structural social work practice within First Nation communities.

4. Demonstrate an ability to integrate various theories into direct practice settings and case studies relevant to Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities.