MSW > Course Descriptions
Core Courses | Elective Courses | Special Permission CoursesCore Courses
Two-year full-time MSW:
GS/SOWK 5010 3.0 -Introduction to Social Work Theories and Critical Practice Skills Part IPart I introduces students to social work theories and practice skills from a critical perspective, on theories/models used in direct practice. Utilizing classroom/lab settings, students critically examine personal conceptions of social work and their professional role/identity.
GS/SOWK 5011 3.0 -Introduction to Social Work Theories and Critical Practice Skills Part II
This course furthers students. engagement with social work theories and practice skills from a critical perspective in the areas of advocacy, community development and policy. Students develop critical understandings of the interconnections between micro, mezzo and macro levels of social work.
GS/SOWK 5020 3.0 -Social Work from Charity to Social Transformation
Students will engage in a critical/reflective study of social work history by examining social work responses to so-called 'problem populations' in the context of the changing political, economic and moral climates that have shaped social work practice in different historical conjunctures.
GS/SOWK 5030 3.0 -Oppression and Intersectionality
This course examines the interlocking nature of oppression, including colonial and state oppression of Aboriginal people. Questions of identity, subjectivity, and representation will be examined to move toward understanding practices of resistance and transformation.
GS/SOWK 5040 3.0 -Social Welfare and Social Policy
Students will gain a critical understanding of Canadian social policy and social welfare as shaped by economic, social, political, and globalization forces. Students will understand the social policy impact on social work practice and develop policy analysis and advocacy skills.
GS/SOWK 5050 3.0 -Understanding Organizations for Social Work Practice
A foundation is provided in the organizational structures of governmental, non-government and community agencies serving vulnerable populations. Students will understand organizational, managerial structures as well as the exercise of power and control and develop skills to effect change.
GS/SOWK 5310 6.0 -Practicum
Students engage in research or professional training within an approved agency setting, providing the opportunity to apply critical social work concepts, theories and intervention approaches to practice situations.
All MSW programs:
GS/SOWK 5150 3.0 -Critical Perspectives in Social Work
The meaning and practice of contemporary social work are explored through attention to changing knowledge paradigms and shifting values. The relationship of social work to power is examined as the basis for practice from a social justice perspective.
GS/SOWK 5250 3.0 -Graduate Research Seminar
Perspectives on social work research are developed, and issues in the formulation, design and analysis of research are presented. Students are expected to present their work in progress on the Practice Research projects.
GS/SOWK 5350 6.0 -Advanced Practicum
Students engage in research or professional training within an approved agency setting, providing the opportunity to apply critical social work concepts, theories and intervention approaches to practice situations. To be taken concurrently with GS/SOWK 5450 3.00 -Practice Research Seminar.
GS/SOWK 5450 3.0 -Practice Research Seminar (PRS)
This course is offered in a small group format in order to support reflective learning from students' practice and to facilitate the planning of the Practice-based Research Paper. This course is designed to stimulate critical and analytic reflection on the practice in order to integrate academic and practical learning which will become the basis for individual independent research for Practice-based Research paper. Students are expected to develop the capacity to integrate theory and practice through the discussion on their independent research project on social work. The seminar will assist the development of proposals of their Practice-based Research and analyses of the data.
GS/SOWK 6100 3.0 -Practice-based Research Paper (PRP)
The Practice-based Research Paper (PRP) provides the opportunity for a critical and analytic reflection on a topic/issue/problem related to the student's practice experience. The PRP is expected to be approximately 50 pages in length. The paper will generally include and build on the literature review conducted as a requirement of the Practice Research Seminar. Development of the paper may involve the collection of empirical data and/or secondary data, or may be an extended critical literature review.
IMPORTANT: Students must complete both GS/SOWK 5150 3.0 and GS/SOWK 5250 3.0 before students can begin Practicum (GS/SOWK 5350 6.0).
Elective Courses
(Note: Not all elective courses are available in any one year.)
GS/SOWK 5905 3.0 -Spirituality and Critical Social Work
This course explores the interconnection between spirituality and critical social work and how the spiritual, personal, and political are intertwined. It engages students in reflecting on spirituality in social justice and identifies its impacts on individual growth, community functioning and social change.
GS/SOWK 5908 3.0 -Social Work Professional Development Skills
This course will give students an opportunity to critically and reflectively examine .professional. aspects of social work in the areas of writing, direct practice and formal interactions towards the honing of their own personal/professional identity as future social workers.
GS/SOWK 5910 3.0 -Topics in Social Aspects of Health
This course focuses on the nature of health and illness and on the role
of the social environment in contributing to health and disease. The
impact of illness and disability on individuals, families and
communities is considered. Special emphasis is placed on the patient as
a participant in health care, and on the social worker as participant in
the health care team, on the role of prevention and on relevant ethical
issues. Each session, one target population will be examined in depth:
the elderly; women; and others.
GS/SOWK 5912 3.0 -Critical Perspectives in Mental Health
This course explores the meaning of mental health and health from several layers of reality: historical, social, political, economical, cultural and personal. Discourse on direct practice and social policy in constructing, maintaining and negotiating realities and myths are discussed.
GS/SOWK 5915 3.0 -Qualitative Research Methods in Social Work
This course begins with discussions on epistemology. It introduces selected qualitative research methods and explores issues around design, ethics and knowledge and diversity.
GS/SOWK 5920 3.0 -Critical Gerontological Social Work Seminar
This course addresses aging issues in both policy and social work practice from a strengths-based critical social work perspective. The course examines policy and practice as an integrated source of creative interventions for critical social work.
GS/SOWK 5922 3.0 -Feminist Approaches in Social Work
This course explores the broader themes of feminist theories/debates relevant to social work practice. From this foundation, differing positions of women in society are discussed in relation to the principles of anti-oppressive practice.
GS/SOWK 5925 3.0 -Globalization and Social Welfare
This course examines the economic and political consequences of a global market economy and considers their implications for social policy and social work. The challenge of globalization for social welfare is explored with reference to national and international strategies in defence of social rights and social justice.
GS/SOWK 5930 3.0 -Critical International Social Work
This course provides advanced contexts to critically examine international issues from local and global perspectives. It focuses on analyses of race, space, identity, nationalism and professional imperialism in the current context of globalization, development and international social work.
GS/SOWK 5932 3.0 -Studies in Social Policy
Using contemporary issues as a base, this course examines approaches to understanding the context, formation and implications of social policies. The differential impacts of social policies are assessed, and the interrelationship between policies, services and practice is emphasized.
GS/SOWK 5935 3.0 -Social Administration
This course provides a critical examination of social work administration and management in social service delivery. Emphasis is given to social service delivery in the current context of restructuring.
GS/SOWK 5942 3.0 -Critical Perspectives on Child Welfare
This course explores current debates in child welfare, including parents versus children's rights, justice versus welfare, legal versus professional mandates. Students are encouraged to critically examine the social context of debates, and develop a critique of practice based on this analysis.
GS/SOWK 5945 3.0 -Perspectives on Gender and Sexual Diversity
Issues are explored related to sexual orientation with respect to social work practice and policy development. The focus includes counselling and support of lesbian, gay and bisexual persons as well as the development and protection of communities.
GS/SOWK 5950B 3.0 -Selected Topics. Family Mediation
This course acquaints students with an understanding of the Family Mediation Process and the applicability of mediation to work settings. Mediation concepts and procedural approaches are approached with sensitivity to race, class, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, age and ability.
GS/SOWK 5952 3.0 -Changing Nature of Community Work
The changing context and nature of community practice are explored with the goal of bridging divisions within social work practice. Discussions include understanding connections between systems and the informal sector; the complexity, fluidity, ecology and diversity of community.
GS/SOWK 5955 3.0 -Evaluation and Social Work
This course introduces students to a range of designs that can be employed in evaluating social work practice activities. This course enhances students' critical knowledge and skill in evaluation and helps students recognize the ethical and cultural issues that underlie evaluation research in social work.
GS/SOWK 5962 3.0 -Ethics in Social Work Practice
A critical examination of philosophical and ethical theories that stimulates reflection on the values and ethical decision-making in social work. This course includes analyses of case studies from practice and directs the examination and assessment of professional actions.
GS/SOWK 5970 3.0 -Directed Readings
Individual students or small groups read under supervision in one or two selected areas.
GS/SOWK 5980 3.0 -Violence in Families
Integrates theoretical and practical perspectives on violence in the family. A primary focus is working with survivors of violence. Emphasis is given to interventions with women and children.
GS/SOWK 5982 3.0 -Advanced Social Work Practice
This course analyzes interpersonal relations in social work settings by drawing on post-structural theory. Interpersonal practice is understood through key concepts such as intersubjectivity, critical reflection, multiple perspectives and identity construction.
GS/SOWK 5995 3.0 -Advanced Seminar on Social Work with Immigrants, Refugees and Diaspora
Local and Global Communities: This course addresses impacts of migration on individuals, communities and families. It examines theories and discourses of migration and diaspora, Canadian immigration policy, and social service issues related to immigrants, refugees and diaspora.
Special Permission Courses
There are several courses for which you require special permission before you can enrol. They include:Directed Reading Course (SOWK 5970 3.0)
- Print off a Directed Readings Form and complete the student information required on the form.
- Approach a professor whose research interests are congruent with your own.
- Once the professor has agreed to supervise you in the course, complete the form with the professor.
- Give the form to the Graduate Program Assistant for the Director's signature.
- Once approved, the Graduate Program Assistant will issue a special permission, enabling you to enrol in the course using the online York Registration System.
Courses Outside of Social Work, at York University
- Students wishing to take a course at York outside the School of Social Work must inform the Graduate Program Office as early as possible.
- Check with the external graduate program to make sure you are eligible to enrol in their course.
- If eligible, print off a Request to Take Courses in Another Graduate Program Form and complete the student information required on the form.
- Return the form to the Graduate Program Assistant for processing.
- Once approved, the Graduate Program Assistant will issue a special permission, enabling you to enrol in the course using the online York Registration System.
Courses Outside of Social Work, at other Ontario Universities
- Students wishing to take a course outside of York University must inform the Graduate Program Office a minimum of 3 months before the course is to begin by way of the following instructions.
- Check with the external university to make sure you are eligible to take the course.
- If eligible, print off an Ontario Visiting Graduate Student Form and complete the student information required on the form.
- Complete the form and attach a copy of the calendar description and a concise rationale for how the course fits your plan of study.
- Return the form to the Graduate Program Office for processing.
- The other university will contact you to inform you of final approval and how to enrol in the course.
