PhD > Course Descriptions
Core Courses | Elective Courses
Students enrolled in the PhD in Social Work are required to take five core courses and three electives. All students are expected to complete four core and three elective courses by the end of the first four terms of study. The Doctoral Seminar is the final core course and will normally be taken in year three.
Core Courses
Social Work 7000 3.0: Social Justice within a Social Work Context
This course explores social justice in the context of social work by examining the relations between redistribution and recognition. The impact on social work perspectives of theories of social justice that analytically integrate material relations and identity politics is considered.
Social Work 7010 3.0: Epistemology
This course offers critical perspectives on the knowledge bases that inform and challenge social work today. Foundational philosophical approaches from the era of the Enlightenment to today, and various critical responses are covered, and their implications for social work considered.
Social Work 7020 3.0: Seminar on Research Design and Methodology
This course examines a wide range of research designs and methodologies which are appropriate for answering social work questions. Both quantitative and qualitative designs are examined. Emphasis is placed on examining research questions relevant to social work and selecting appropriate methods for answering these questions.
Social Work 7030 3.0: Quantitative and Qualitative Data Analysis
This course is designed to develop and enhance students’ skills in the analysis and interpretation of both quantitative and qualitative data. Emphasis is placed on issues and techniques of data analysis and interpretation.
Social Work 7040 3.0: Doctoral Seminar
The course is a required seminar designed to support doctoral students in developing a dissertation proposal. It is open to students who have completed their required core courses and electives.
Elective Courses
All MSW Electives are eligible
Social Work 7100 3.0: Social Work from Classical Liberalism to Neoliberalism
The course provides a searching reassessment of defining moments in the history of Canadian social work. Dominant social philosophies and social work practice modalities are extrapolated to discover why poverty and marginalization are still the main social problems.
Social Work 7110 3.0: Pedagogical Reflections on Social Work Practice
This course prepares doctoral students to act as effective university instructors and encourages the development of knowledge and skills for teaching critical social work.
Social Work 7905 3.0: Doctoral Career Development Skills
Through a philosophical critical reflective process this course provides doctoral social work students with skills to determine their career path with a PhD based on their research interests, professional skills and personal aspirations. Both academic and non-academic career paths are explored with corresponding career development assignments to prepare students for their future doctoral careers.
Note: Students may select other elective courses at the graduate level at York or other universities, subject to approval by the Graduate Program Director. Doctoral candidates shall not receive credit towards the PhD for more than one full integrated course.
