XI. Course Descriptions
Family and Community Social Services
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FCSS*1000 Social Work in Canada F (3-0) [0.50]
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| This interdisciplinary course examines the social welfare institutions in the context of professional values and ethics of the social service professions. This course introduces first year students to the purpose, value base, principles, settings, and methods of social work practice. Students have the opportunity to explore their own personal values in the context of social work and the broader society. |
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FCSS*1010 Social Issues and Social Environments W (3-0) [0.50]
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| This course provides students with the contexts necessary to see the presenting problems of clients within the larger social issues facing society and offers an overview of methodologies utilized by social service professionals in addressing both individual and social issues. It provides students with a basic framework in which to view and understand social problems, their causes, their relationship to particular groups and sub-populations, and potential solutions. |
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FCSS*1020 Interpersonal Communication Skills W (3-0) [0.50]
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| This course is designed to provide a basic introduction to the issues of power and wealth in Canadian society, and the formal political system of government. The course examines the various political influences, both inside and outside government, that affect people’s lives and shape communities. The course also examines the relationship between political processes and their impact on the human services and the clients they serve. |
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FCSS*1070 Couple and Family Relationships W (3-0) [0.50]
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| Couple and family experience is expressed in different forms of relationships including traditional heterosexual marriages, same sex partnerships, cohabitation, separated, divorced, and remarried families and parenting throughout the life cycle. Students examine both the internal dynamics in families as they change throughout the life course, and the impact of broader social, economic and cultural forces such as race, class, and ethnicity on couple and family relationship processes. |
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FCSS*2000 Counselling I: Theory and Practice F (3-0) [0.50]
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| This is the first of two courses designed to provide the student with the theory and skills to provide appropriate counselling services to clients. The course will provide students an opportunity to develop and practice counselling skills through the counselling seminars as well as introducing students to a number of counselling theories and their application in the field. |
| Prerequisite(s): |
FCSS*1020
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| Restriction(s): |
Registration in the Family and Community Social Services program and the Justice Major. |
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FCSS*2010 Working with High Risk Populations F (3-0) [0.50]
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| Disadvantaged people often face personal and structural issues that place them at high risk of harm, hospitalization, or death. Using an empowerment approach which emphasizes the perspective of clients, learners develop effective means of working with people with psychiatric labels, developmental disabilities, older adults, survivors of domestic violence and child abuse and early trauma, those struggling with addictions and eating disorders, and individuals labelled as having cognitive disabilities. |
| Prerequisite(s): |
3.00 credits including: AHSS*2120, FCSS*1010
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FCSS*2020 Introduction to Field Practicum F (3-0) [0.50]
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| This course prepares students for the expectations associated with field practica, including those of the program, the agencies and the professional college. Students will become familiar with the organization of the field practicum sequence and the documentation, policies and procedures connected to the evaluation and monitoring of field practice. This is a pre-requisite for Field Practicum. |
| Prerequisite(s): |
3.00 credits from FCSS including: FCSS*1020
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| Restriction(s): |
Registration in the Family and Community Social Services program. |
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FCSS*2040 Foundation Practicum I W (2-14) [0.75]
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| Seminar and supervised field placement where students have the opportunity to take part in the day-to-day operations of a social services agency. They will work under the direct supervision of a professional staff person, have the opportunity to observe social services procedures and practices, and take part in serving clients with direction from agency staff. Students will also be expected to maintain a record of their placement activities through the submission of a field contract, time sheets, and bi-weekly logs. |
| Prerequisite(s): |
FCSS*2000, FCSS*2020
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FCSS*2050 Human Sexuality F (3-0) [0.50]
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| This course examines the biological, cultural and psychological aspects of human sexuality. Current research findings are presented in the context of sexual problems facing individuals and society. A wide diversity of sexual attitudes and behaviours will be explored. Students will develop an understanding of how to apply theory and research in analyzing and counselling commonly presented sexual problems. |
| Prerequisite(s): |
FCSS*1010
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FCSS*3001/2 Intermediate Practicum F (2-14) [1.50]
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| This is a two-semester course. Seminar and supervised field placement in a community or social service agency providing students with an in-depth experience of front-line work in a human services agency under direct supervision. Students develop work habits such as serving clients effectively, which make them an asset to the agency, and how to navigate moral, ethical, clinical, and political issues as they emerge in their placements. Students continue to work as part of a team, and deciphering how to effectively use supervision. Agency field supervisors and college field supervisors may raise professional, ethical, attitudinal, and practical issues which they consider to be important for students to address. A grade will not be assigned to FCSS 3001 until FCSS 3002 has been completed. |
| Prerequisite(s): |
FCSS*2040
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| Restriction(s): |
Registration in the Family and Community Social Services program. |
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FCSS*3010 Working With Groups: Theory and Practice W (2-1) [0.50]
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| This course will provide the student with the opportunity to develop the self-awareness, knowledge and skills necessary to work effectively with small groups. The course will focus on the dynamics of group development and behaviours, and the facilitating role of workers in task, therapeutic and maintenance groups. Students will study a variety of theoretical approaches to group counselling, and will practice group facilitation skills through experiential exercises in the lab. |
| Prerequisite(s): |
7.50 credits |
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FCSS*3020 Developing a Culturally Sensitive Practice W (3-0) [0.50]
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| This course evaluates the different theories relating to the provision of social services to culturally diverse populations. It offers students the opportunity to develop the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary in addition to delivering effective social services in a multi-cultural, multi-racial society. |
| Prerequisite(s): |
7.50 credits |
| Restriction(s): |
Registration in the Family and Community Social Services program. |
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FCSS*3040 Counselling II: Theory and Practice W (3-0) [0.50]
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| This is the second of two courses designed to provide students with the theory and skills to allow them to provide appropriate counselling services to their clients. The course will focus on the role of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, ability/disability, class and gender in the counselling relationship and how to integrate these multiple identities into counselling practice. This course will also allow students to continue to enhance their counselling skills through the counselling seminar section of the course. |
| Prerequisite(s): |
FCSS*2000
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| Co-requisite(s): |
FCSS*2040
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| Restriction(s): |
Registration in the Family and Community Social Services program. |
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FCSS*3060 Crisis Intervention: Theory and Practice W (3-0) [0.50]
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| This course provides the student with the theory and practical skills that will be needed to effectively intervene with clients who are experiencing crisis. The course will focus on crisis theory and crisis intervention methods, with particular emphasis on crisis intervention in the context of families. A developmental-ecological perspective is employed in the discussion of course content. |
| Prerequisite(s): |
7.50 credits including: FCSS*3040
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FCSS*4000 Family Theory and Therapy W (3-0) [0.50]
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| This course examines the major theoretical frameworks and family therapy models guiding research and practice relating to families today. It prepares students to use theory as a tool for better understanding and explaining family process and develops the critical thinking skills necessary to critique, evaluate, and integrate these theoretical frameworks and therapy models. This course also places a heavy emphasis on integrating theory with practice and requires that students routinely apply and integrate major theoretical frameworks and family therapy models to specific and contemporary family issues. |
| Prerequisite(s): |
12.50 credits including: AHSS*2120
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FCSS*4010 Agency Admin. & Community Relations F (3-0) [0.50]
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| This course presents students with the information and skills to assume financial responsibility for an agency budget, administer an agency office, and develop and prepare a major grant proposal. The course also examines the agency’s presence within the community. It also surveys the current funding structure in Canada, emphasizing access to corporate, government and foundation founders. |
| Prerequisite(s): |
12.50 credits |
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FCSS*4021/2 Advanced Practicum F (2-18) [2.00]
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| This is a two-semester course. Seminar and supervised field placement in a community or social service agency providing students with an in-depth experience of front-line work in a human services agency under direct supervision. Agency field supervisors and course instructors may raise professional, ethical, attitudinal, and practical issues which they consider to be important for students to address. As a component of the advanced practicum students will submit a major thesis relating to a critical aspect of their practicum which has been negotiated between the field supervisor and course instructor. A grade will not be assigned to FCSS 4021 until FCSS 4022 has been completed. |
| Prerequisite(s): |
15.00 credits including FCSS*3001/2
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| Restriction(s): |
Registration in the Family and Community Social Services program. |
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FCSS*4030 Social Work and the Law F (3-0) [0.50]
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| Using a case study approach this course provides students with an understanding of the role of the law in social work practice, and is designed to equip them with sufficient knowledge of the law to assist them in their roles as advocates or case managers. The course will also cover specific legislation including the Mental Health Act, Youth Criminal Justice Act and Income Assistance Legislation. The course will outline the rights and obligations as defined by the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Workers |
| Prerequisite(s): |
FCSS*3001/2
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FCSS*4040 Empowerment Oriented Case Management W (3-0) [0.50]
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| This course provides students with the skills required to promote the effective integration of disadvantaged people into the mainstream of community life using an empowerment approach. Students learn about empowerment-oriented case management practice, risks of not practicing according to the empowerment model, key empowerment philosophies, and their applications to practice, and legal and ethical issues that have a direct impact on how case management is practiced. |
| Prerequisite(s): |
10.00 credits |
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FCSS*4060 Family Mediation & Conflict Resolution W (3-0) [0.50]
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| This course focuses on the theories, skills and techniques used to reach resolution in a variety of family conflict situations. Overviews of contemporary developments in the theory and practice of mediation are discussed. Students also examine different perspectives on conflict and strategies for resolving conflict, specifically within the family context. Through lectures, group work and role plays, students study the fundamental principles of negotiation, mediation and conflict resolution. Students have the opportunity to reflect on their own style of conflict resolution and the relevance of course material to their own lives. |
| Prerequisite(s): |
12.50 credits including: FCSS*2000, FCSS*4000
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