NGO Education Survey

Community and Social Change Analysis

There are tensions within the concept of community between marginalization and/or self-determination. Through case studies, the course explores these tensions as they occur in the field of community “care”, and expanding field of social work practice. The theoretical base for the course draws on a variety of perspectives such as communitarianism, eco-feminism, social ecology, managerialism, neo-liberalism, and new” social movement theory.

Theory and Practice of Anti-Oppressive Social Work in Diverse Communities

The principles of cross-cultural and ethnic-specific social work practice are now widely accepted in social work education, training and practice. The more recent challenge has been to develop anti-racist and anti-oppressive theory and practice. Racism and oppressive practices are in conflict with the “caring” notion of social work as a profession. Multiple forms of oppression frame everyone's life. Social work intervention either adds to oppression, condones it through non-action, or does something to ease or break oppression. The aim of this course is to unravel the underlying thread of multiple oppression, and the interaction of various sources and forms of oppression, and to develop practice strategies that seek to challenge and break oppression.

Advancing Social Justice

This course introduces students to the central concepts of a social justice perspective through a deconstruction and reconstruction of various assumptions, practices, and positionalities that advance and/or impede social justice. Rooted in processes of critically reflective analysis this course attends to cognitive, affective, and spiritual learning processes.

Cross-Cultural Issues and Social Work Practice

This course provides an opportunity to critically examine theoretical frameworks for viewing marginalized racial, ethnic and cultural groups in society, to examine personal values as they relate to the above groups, to develop skills in working effectively with these groups, and to understand related social policies.

Introduction to Community Social Work

Community Development within social work is the facilitation of meaningful change within communities to improve the quality of life for members of those communities. This course considers various conceptions of community, elements of change processes, and specific change strategies.

Life Processes: Conceptualizations and practices for Critical Social Work

This course critically explores a range of life events and processes that may impact peoples’ development, personalities and potentials. Attention is given to how ethnicity, race, social class, ability, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, and other social variables intersect with the individual development. The need for differential reactions from workers in response to clients varied life experiences will also be considered.