SOCIAL SERVICES/ SOCIAL WORK

Many of the seats in these courses are reserved for students in the Social Services and Social Work programs. Other students may take these courses if they meet the prerequisites and there is space.

Note: Students who wish to take more than two social work core courses must be accepted into the BSW program.

SSSW 110 (formerly HSER 110):
Introduction to Social Services 3 credits

Prerequisites: Admission into Social Services program or instructor’s permission

Transferability: UVic (SW 200A), SFU, OU,OUC

This course will provide students with a critical analysis of social services and social work practice and client needs at local, provincial, and federal levels. It will emphasize the role of the professional and paraprofessional in the service delivery system and the basic structure and function of social services agencies. An introduction to ethical issues will be included. You will be expected to study in depth at least one social problem area and its concomitant social services.

SSSW 120 (formerly HSER 120):
Introduction to Interpersonal Communications 3 credits

Prerequisites: none

Transferability: SFU, OU, TWU

Introduces basic self-awareness and interpersonal communication skills. Students will learn about the nature of the communications process. The emphasis will be on developing and practising the ability to communicate effectively with others. As part of the course requirements, students will be expected to share personal (but not necessarily private) experiences with others.

SSSW 125 (formerly HSER 125):
Human Development 3 credits

Prerequisites: Admission into Social Services program or instructor’s permission

Pre- or Corequisite: SSSW 120

Transferability: TWU, SFU, OU, UNBC

This course is an introduction to lifespan development which examines five major areas of human behaviour: physical, cognitive, emotional, social, and spiritual. This course explores how these apply to the various stages of human growth and development. Social dimensions of human development such as ethnic diversity, cultural context, and environmental factors will also be explored to provide a holistic curriculum for human development.

SSSW 127 (formerly HSER 127):
Practicum Placement Seminar 1 credit

Pre or co-requisites: SSSW 110, 120, CMNS 155, and admission into Community Support Worker program

This course, which meets weekly for the first semester, will prepare you for your practicum. Included are discussions of various jobs in the field, requirements of the job, and the values and attitudes necessary for success in the field.

SSSW 129  (formerly HSER 129):
Seminar 1 credit

Prerequisite: Admission into Social Services program

Pre- or Corequisites: SSSW 110, SSSW 120, CMNS 155

The practicum seminar aims to prepare you for your practicum. The seminar will introduce you to various methods of fieldwork, fieldwork opportunities in the community, and relevant information required for selecting and beginning a social service practicum. In a human services practicum, students are matched to an experienced supervisor in the field who shares expertise and acts as a role model.

SSSW 130 (formerly HSER 130):
Practicum I — Social Services 6 credits

Prerequisites: SSSW 110, 129, CMNS 155, SSSW 120 and instructor’s permission

Supervised experience in work situations in which you could later find employment. You will have an opportunity to practice skills gained in prerequisite courses and will receive feedback about your competencies. There will be a weekly seminar, either on an individual or group basis.

SSSW 131 (formerly HSER 131):
Practicum 6 credits

Prerequisites: completion of all first- and second-semester courses of CSW program including SSSW 127

Corequisite: SSSW 196

This 200-hour practicum is mandatory for all students. While education is offered in the classroom, integration of classroom instruction and field experience are of the utmost importance. If you are currently employed, the practicum must be in a work setting that provides a substantially difference service than your place of employment. Although all options and opportunities will not be available to you in all practicum settings, you are responsible for developing your own learning experience. Evaluation will be made by both the agency supervisor and the UCFV supervisor.

SSSW 150 (formerly HSER 150):
Approaches to Helping: A Theoretical Overview 3 credits

Prerequisites: SSSW 120, and PSYC 101 or SSSW 125, or instructor’s permission

Transferability: SFU, OU, TWU

Through familiarization with the main values and issues underlying various therapeutic approaches in counselling/helping, you will work toward a better understanding, clarification, and development of your own personal and helper values and style of helping. You will be exposed to basic therapeutic orientations, basic issues in helping, and ethical issues in being a helper, and encouraged to explore your own personal set of values, which affects your helping style.

SSSW 190 (formerly HSER 190):
Introduction to Community Support 3 credits

Prerequisites: none

An introduction to the field of community support for people working or planning to work in a direct hands-on position supporting children or adults with mental disabilities. The course offers an overview of historical attitudes shaping service provision, and how service provision denies or supports human and legal rights. The implications of the principle of normalization in the lives of people with mental handicaps, their families, and their communities over the past 20 years in North America will be emphasized.

SSSW 192 (formerly HSER 192):
Supporting Skill Development 3 credits

Prerequisites: SSSW 120, SSSW 125 or PSYC 250

Corequisite: SSSW 193

This course is based on a critique of traditional behaviorist models, and emphasizes positive and status-enhancing training techniques for skill acquisition. Students will be expected to become familiar with the special education curriculums designed to meet the needs of children with disabilities in the school system.

SSSW 193 (formerly HSER 193):
Augmentative Communication 1.5 credits

Prerequisites: SSSW 120

Corequisite:SSSW 192

An overview of the basic philosophies and principles of augmentative and alternative communications. Students will be exposed to the use of PIC symbols, BLISS symbols, sign language and computer-assisted communication, and develop beginning competencies in using these means of communication.

SSSW 195 (formerly HSER 195):
Relationships and the Community 3 credits

Prerequisites: SSSW 120, SSSW 110, SSSW 190

This course will provide you with clear insight and understanding into the critical issue of relationships with and of people with mental handicaps. It will offer a challenging look at individual values and belief systems, and provide you with strategies for creating and maintaining supportive and value-enhancing relationships. The impact of critical issues such as segregation, institutionalization, deinstitutionalization, family support, friendships, intimacy and sexual relationships, leisure and recreational opportunities, with an emphasis of community participation, will be examined.

SSSW 196 (formerly HSER 196):
Personal Care for the Handicapped 1.5 credits

Prerequisites: none

This course will cover the fundamentals of providing the prospective worker with an overview of techniques involved in providing personal care to people with multiple handicaps. The role of the community support worker in relation to the particular responsibilities of other health care professionals will be examined.

SSSW 200 (formerly HSER 200):
Counselling Skills 3 credits

Prerequisites: SSSW 120, 150 desirable

Transferability: TWU

This course is designed to train participants to develop their basic helping skills. Students will be expected to develop beginning competencies in the Carkhuff and reality therapy models of helping. Students will be expected, in the video lab and classroom, to role-play as well as share real experiences.

SSSW 210 (formerly HSER 210):
Introduction to Social Welfare 3 credits

Prerequisite: SSSW 110 or instructor’s permission

Transferability: UVic (SW 200B), OU, OUC, TWU

This course is designed to provide an overview of social welfare principles and policies in Canada. Beginning with an historical review of social welfare, students will develop a critical analysis of the context of social welfare including the political, economic, and ideological realities and an understanding of how these realities influence the way in which social problems are identified and addressed.

SSSW 229 (formerly HSER 229):
Seminar 1 credit

Prerequisites: SSSW 129 and 130

The practicum seminar aims to prepare students for the upcoming practicum. The seminar will introduce you to various methods of field work, field-work opportunities in the community, and relevant information required for selecting and beginning a social service practicum. In a human services practicum, you are matched with an experienced supervisor in the field who shares expertise and acts as a role model. This course should only be taken in your last year in the program.

SSSW 230 (formerly HSER 230):
Fieldwork Practicum 6 credits

Prerequisites: SSSW 130, SSSW 150, SSSW 229 and instructor’s permission

Pre- or Corequisites: CMNS 255 and SSSW 200

Supervised work experience in a social service agency. The goals and objectives of this course will be similar to the first-year practicum. However, higher levels of skill performance are required. Students are urged to wait to complete this course until their final semester.

SSSW 260 (formerly HSER 260):
Introduction to Gerontology 3 credits

Prerequisites: first-year psychology course

A multi-disciplinary introduction to the concept of aging in our society. Explores the impact on individual functioning and adjustment of such factors as cognition, personality, health and physical change, economic and vocational status, and social relationships and status.

SSSW 261 (formerly HSER 261):
Social Policy and Issues on Aging 3 credits

Prerequisites: SSSW 110

This course will explore Canadian social policy on aging, both on a federal and provincial level. Topics include the impact of the social security system, mandatory retirement, the economic situation of the elderly, and other income maintenance schemes. Also included are a survey of services available for the aging population as well as social attitudes towards aging.

SSSW 264 (formerly HSER 264):
Workshop Series in Aging — Current Developments in Caring for the Elderly 3 credits

Prerequisites: none

This course will consist of a group of 10 to 14 different workshops presented by experts in the field. Topics will vary from year to year and students should consult the program head for an exact list.

SSSW 283 (formerly HSER 283):
Family Dynamics 3 credits

Prerequisites: SSSW 120

Transferability: SFU, OU, TWU

This course will introduce you to the concept of family in the Canadian context. It will provide an overview of the various theoretical viewpoints in conceptualizing the family, and then examine various theoretical approaches to working with families. In this context, the family as an emotional system will be examined. This will include boundary issues, alliances, triangles and genograms, differentiation, and communication patterns, in an effort to understand family functioning. Special topics will also be examined and discussed. These will include areas such as families from a multicultural perspective, family violence, spousal assault and sexual abuse, parenting, daycare, family law, gender issues, and families and poverty.

SSSW 284 (formerly HSER 284):
Childcare Practice 3 credits

Prerequisites: PSYC 103 or 250, or SSSW 125

This course will examine various aspects of social service work with children. It will include treatment methods, relationships with children, the needs of children, common behavioral problems and methods of dealing with them. The course will focus on an examination of three main theoretical models of child helping — the Adlerian approach, behavioral modification, and general systems theory.

SSSW 290 (formerly HSER 290):
Directed Studies in Social Service Work 3 credits

Prerequisites: permission of the Social Services department

This course will appeal to students whose particular area of interest cannot be met through existing courses.

SSSW 292 (formerly HSER 292):
Comparative Delivery Systems 3 credits

Prerequisites: SSSW 110 and instructor’s permission

This course will expose students to the social service delivery system in another province and/or country.

SSSW 300 (formerly SW 300):
Social Work Methods I 3 credits

Prerequisites: Admission into the BSW program and SSSW 200

An introduction to the knowledge and competencies underlying generalist social work practice. Students will develop assessment and referral techniques as they relate to working in a human service organization. Advocacy on behalf of clients and skills in brokering of services will also be developed.

SSSW 301 (formerly SW 301):
Social Work Methods II 3 credits

Prerequisites: Admission into the BSW program and SSSW 300

An understanding of group dynamics as well as expertise in group facilitation will be developed as students examine the underlying principles of social work practice. Interviewing skills and techniques as they relate to working with individuals, groups, and families will also be further developed.

SSSW 311 (replaces SSSW 310 and 315):
Generalist Social Work Practice 3 credits

Prerequisites: Admission into the BSW program and SSSW 210, or permission of program head.

This course will look at the social worker as both a person and a professional. Issues, including ethical behaviour, accountability, boundary setting, and the intersection of personal and professional values will be examined. Generalist social work practice from several theoretical perspectives will be a focus. The legal ramifications and aspects of social work practice will be explored. Students will be expected to articulate and integrate personal and professional values in their emerging social work practice.
Note: Students who have taken SSSW 315 cannot receive further credit for SSSW 311.
Note: SSSW 311 replaces SSSW 310 and SSSW 315.

SSSW 320 (formerly SW 320):
Cross-Cultural Social Work 3 credits

Prerequisites: Admission into the BSW program or permission of program head. (Students with a minimum of 45 credits in other degree programs  may be able to obtain instructor’s permission at the first class. However, they should check with their program head to see whether they can apply this course to their degree.)

Pre- or Corequisite: SSSW 311

This course will provide you with an ethno-cultural sensitivity to the racial, cultural, and spiritual aspects of the lives of British Columbians. It will begin with an overview of the historical and socio-political backgrounds of the rich and diverse cultures in the province. We will identify and analyze the special problems faced by visible minorities as they access social and other human services. Special attention will be paid to developing effective cross-cultural skills through the understanding of cultural expectations, gender roles, and traditional values. Students will examine issues of systemic discrimination and racism and its effects on these ethno-cultural groups and social work practise.

SSSW 330A (formerly SW 330A):
Field Work (Sept to Dec) 4 credits

Pre- or corequisites: Admission into the BSW program;
SSSW 300, SSSW 311, SSSW 320

SSSW 330B (formerly SW 330B):
Field Work (Jan to April) 6 credits

Prerequisite: SSSW 330A

Pre- or corequisites: SSSW 301, SSSW 311

This will be a concurrent practicum of two days per week in a social work agency (from October to April) with a three-hour weekly class which will focus on the integration of theory and practice.

SSSW 380 (formerly SW 380):
Social Work and Community Development 3 credits

Prerequisite: Admission into the BSW program and SSSW 311 and 320

This course will focus on the role of the social worker engaged in making change at the community level. Beginning with an understanding of community and social change, students will develop a theoretical and practice perspective on engaging the community in the process of collective problem-solving. Fundamental to the process is encouraging the democratic redistribution of power and resources. Students will be encouraged to examine the impact of race, class, and gender on social work and community development.

SSSW 394 (formerly HSER 294):
Introduction to Substance Abuse 3 credits

Prerequisites: SSSW 120 and one of (PSYC 101 and 102), SSSW 125, PSYC 250, or instructor’s permission

This course is designed to give students a working knowledge of the nature and extent of substance abuse. Topics include an overview of commonly abused substances, a review of the history of chemical dependence, a discussion of patterns of abuse, the social (familial and work) costs of abuse, specific drugs which are commonly abused, and the treatment and prevention of substance abuse. The provision of services to the chemically dependent and/or their collaterals will be examined.

Note: Credit cannot be obtained for both SSSW 394 and HSER 294.

SSSW 404 (formerly SW 404):
Research Methods and Evaluation 3 credits

Prerequisites: SSSW 330, and one of MATH 104 or MATH 106, or PSYC 110 (or equivalent)

This course will cover scientific methods and their application to social work practice and research. Also included will be program evaluation strategies and methods and skills appropriate to the evaluation of social work interventions.

SSSW 410:
Social Welfare Policy and Practice 3 credits

Prerequisites: Admission into the BSW program; and SSSW 311 and SSSW 330 or permission of the instructor

This course builds on the theory acquired in SSSW 110, 210, and 311. The organizational dynamics of social policy and practice will be examined. Students will be encouraged to make the connections between policy development and implementation and their own practice. The impact of legislation on practice will also be examined. Students will be expected to analyze programs and policies from a critical theoretical perspective.

SSSW 430 (formerly SW 430A):
Fieldwork 9 credits

Prerequisites: Admission into the BSW program and SSSW 330B, SSSW 404, SSSW 410, SSSW 483, and instructor’s permission

This will be a concurrent practicum of three days per week (from Jan to April) with an integrative three-hour weekly class.

SSSW 450 (formerly SW 450):
Current Issues in Social Work Practice 3 credits

Prerequisite: Admission into the BSW program and SSSW 330B.

Working from a social work perspective in human development, current issues relating to the generalist practice of social work will be discussed. Students will explore issues around gender identification and HIV/AIDS, as well as loss, grief, death, and dying. Students will be encouraged to relate their work to their current practice.

SSSW 483 (formerly SW 483):
Family Centered Social Work 3 credits

Prerequisite: Admission into the BSW program and SSSW 283

This course will provide general knowledge about family-centered social work practice. It will focus on basic conceptual and clinical skills relating to the theory and practice of family work. Students will develop a working knowledge of the family systems orientation to practice. The aim of the course is to develop an understanding of family work using a family systems perspective, while at the same time exploring techniques of family work from several different approaches including generational, interactional, experiential, and developmental. The theoretical focus of the course will involve a dual perspective stressing both an ecological and a phenomenological view of family functioning. Although the primary emphasis will be given to understanding family behaviour in terms of a family systems framework, students will also have the opportunity to investigate a variety of different intervention models.

SSSW 490 (formerly SW 490):
Special Topics — Social Work in Gerontology 3 credits

Prerequisites: Admission into the BSW program (Students with a minimum of 45 credits in other degree programs may be able to obtain instructor’s permission at the first class. However, they should check with their program head to see whether they can apply this course to their degree.)

An introduction to gerontology (the study of aging) and to working with an aging population. We will explore a wide range of issues relevant to population aging from a variety of theoretical and practical perspectives. In addition to looking at the role of the elderly in our society, the course will provide a framework for examining the organization and delivery of services to the elderly in both institutional and non-institutional settings.

SSSW 491 (formerly SW 491):
Special Topics — Child Welfare 3 credits

Prerequisites: Admission into the BSW program and SSSW 311

This course will explore the field of child welfare and the role of the social worker in child welfare services in both British Columbia and Canada. Topics include current legislation, the history of child welfare, child welfare services in B.C. and Canada, daycare, foster care and adoption, the role of the school in the child welfare system, a sensitization towards issues in parenting in a multi-cultural society, the provision of care for physically and mentally challenged children, as well as issues surrounding child and sexual abuse.

SSSW 492 (formerly SW 492):
Special Topics — First Nations Social Work Practice 3 credits

Prerequisites: Admission into the BSW program (Students with a minimum of 45 credits in other degree programs may be able to obtain instructor’s permission at the first class. However, they should check with their program head to see whether they can apply this course to their degree.)

This course will examine theories and methods of social work practice utilized by and for First Nations within contemporary society in order to help students understand the nature of First Nations structural/historical problems, the impact of colonialism, and ensuing social issues. We will examine current methods of interventions, review roles and operations of social services in First Nations communities, and discuss conventional alternative strategies. Self-exploration and self-disclosure will facilitate the integration of theory and practice in the context of culturally- sensitive/appropriate frameworks. The role of Helper within the community context will be developed, with the concept of recovering (healing) individuals, families, and communities as an essential component.

SSSW 493 (formerly SW 493):
Special Topics — Feminist Social Work Practice 3 credits

Prerequisite: Admission into the BSW program and instructor’s permission. (Students with a minimum of 45 credits in other degree programs may be able to obtain instructor’s permission at the first class. However, they should check with their program head to see whether they can apply this course to their degree.)

This course will examine social issues from a feminist standpoint perspective, incorporating an analysis of the ideology and conceptual practices and underpinning social welfare policy in Canada. Beginning with the historical development of feminist social work and feminist theories as they relate to social work practice, the class will explore gender role stereotypes, social welfare policies, ethics research as empowerment, and specific issues experienced by women in areas such as disability, sexual orientation, and violence.

SSSW 495 (formerly SW 495):
Directed Study in Social Work 3 credits

Prerequisites: Fourth-year standing in BSW program and department’s permission

Students who have a special interest in a topic area not offered through identified social work electives or core curriculum, may request to do directed social work study under the supervision of a faculty instructor.

SSSW 600 (formerly HSER 600):
Counselling Skills for Addictions 2 credits

Corequisite: SSSW 627

This experientially based course will help counsellors focus on developing strategies for working with clients who are addicted. Skill areas to be developed will include establishing rapport with clients, dealing with denial, confrontation, dealing with defensive clients, the recovery process, setting goals with clients, exploring issues, and avoiding getting hooked. Supportive counselling techniques will be practised. The use of written records in the counselling process will be explored and a continuing focus will be on ethical behaviour and appropriate expectations. Extensive use of videotape practice will be made.

SSSW 601 (formerly HSER 601):
Group Facilitation Skills 2 credits

Prerequisite: SSSW 600

Corequisite: SSSW 628

This course will focus on developing strategies for working with groups in the addiction areas. An emphasis will be on group counselling in addictions. Group facilitation skills will be heavily emphasized with a focus on member and leader’s functioning. Group theory will also be examined with a view of the structure and function of groups, different types of groups, leadership roles within groups. Extensive use of video tape practice will be made.

Note: SSSW 601 is timetabled as 601A (Semester 1) and 601B (Semester 2). Both 601A and 601B must be completed for credit.

SSSW 602 (formerly HSER 602):
Family Work in Addictions 2 credits

Prerequisites: SSSW 600, 601

This course will provide an overview of working with families from a general systems perspective. Topics to be covered include approaches to family work, misconceptions about family work, goal setting, the family as an emotional system, the family of origin, use and construction of genograms, phases of work with families, and the role of theory in family work.

SSSW 610 (formerly HSER 610):
The Nature of Substance Abuse 2 credits

Prerequisite: Admission into the Substance Abuse program

This course will provide an overview of the addictions field. Issues will include concepts of addictions and dependency, reasons for drug and alcohol abuse, alcohol and drug abuse patterns, individual, social, familial, and psychological consequences of addictions, the prevention of substance abuse, the needs of special populations, and an examination of substance abuse in the workplace. An examination of current theories of addiction and addiction prevention will also occur. We will look at the continuum of use/misuse/abuse.

SSSW 611 (formerly HSER 611):
Psychobiology and Pharmacology of Substance Abuse 2 credits

Prerequisite: SSSW 610

This course focuses on orienting students to the physical and psychological properties of psychoactive substances. Issues to be examined will include basic concepts of pharmacology, drug classifications, the nature of how substances are administered, the concepts of withdrawal, detoxification, and types of cross-addictions commonly found. The course will also provide a basic introduction to psychophysiology and the anatomy of the central nervous system.

Note: SSSW 601 is timetabled as 611A (Semester 1) and 611B (Semester 2). Both 611A and 611B must be completed for credit

SSSW 612 (formerly HSER 612):
The Community Treatment of Substance Abuse 2 credits

Prerequisite: SSSW 610

This course will focus on the treatment currently available in the local and provincial community for substance abusers. Students will be encouraged to explore the resources available for treatment in their area. Special mention will be made of the nature of outpatient and residential treatment programs. The role of AA in treatment as well as support systems available for family members will be examined. Students will develop skills in assessment for treatment planning and treatment referrals as well as in case management. Gaps in treatment services available will also be identified.

SSSW 627 (formerly HSER 627):
Self-care Seminar 1.5 credits

Prerequisite: Admission into the Substance Abuse program

Pre- or corequisite: SSSW 600

This course meets once a week during the semester and is required for all students registered in SSSW 600. Since ultimately what the counsellor has is the “use of self”, this helping process is what makes an effective counsellor. The course will not be graded, except on the basis of attendance

SSSW 628 (formerly HSER 628):
Self-care Seminar 1.5 credits

Prerequisite: SSSW 627

This is a continuation of SSSW 627 with an increasing focus in depth. Personal issues around substance abuse will continue to be discussed. Practicum strategies will be discussed as students prepare to engage in field work.

SSSW 630 (formerly HSER 630):
Practicum 6 credits

Prerequisite: SSSW 601 and SSSW 611

Corequisites: SSSW 602 and SSSW 612

This 200-hour practicum will provide an opportunity for participants to develop their individual, group and family treatment skills. Working in either one or two agencies, students will be expected to contract for their own learning objectives. Student evaluation will be made by both the agency and UCFV supervisors and be based on actual observation of the students.


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