20/S1 SCWK 5036MM - Theory for Social Work Practice I

This is a mandatory course for all MMBSW students. A central assumption of this course is that social work as a profession needs to be self-critical in order to guard against continuing and increasing oppression experienced by members of various groups as they access social welfare programs and social work intervention. Therefore, a critical analysis of social welfare, social services and social work practice will be a central focus in the course.

The Western perspectives of neo-conservatism, liberalism, social democracy and Marxism will be presented and analyzed for how each ideology defines social issues, social welfare responses and social work approaches. Anti-oppressive perspectives from feminism, critical anti-racism, and colonialism will be presented and discussed in the context of the challenges they pose to these dominant paradigms informing social welfare. An emphasis will be placed on structural social work theory and Indigenous social work practice as a framework for social work practice. 3 credit hours