This mandatory six-credit hour course helps to clarify the inescapable fact that social work practice does not exist without theory. This course provides a foundation for anti-oppressive social work practice by introducing theories relevant to social work, particularly structural social work, and other critical, anti-oppressive theories, and perspectives. A central assumption of this course is that social work, as a helping profession, needs to be self-critical in order to guard against perpetuating and increasing oppression experienced by members of various groups as they access services. The ideological paradigms of conservatism, liberalism, social democracy, and Marxism will be presented along with an examination of how each perspective leads to different definitions of social problems, social welfare responses, and social work practice approaches. A critical analysis of social welfare, social services, and social work practice (primarily within a Canadian context) will be the central focus of the course.
- Teacher: Sara Carder