Course List

Students in this course will learn about the history of social work and social welfare in Canada. The course will focus on helping students to understand the social movements, sociocultural practices, and ethics that have contributed to development of Social Work as a profession, as well as the values that inform the profession. The course is designed to help students recognize the relationships between history, theory, and praxis in social interventions, with the goal of contemplating the various ways in which a society can ethically respond to human need and social suffering. Students also will gain some perspective on research in Social Work, as well as the role of social workers and their practice around the globe.

Through different phases of globalization, the world has become increasingly interconnected - environmentally, economically, socially and culturally. Using the social science lenses of geography and international development studies, this course examines the nature of these interconnections and the opportunities and challenges they present, such as climate change, global poverty, and intercultural interaction and conflict. Solutions to the challenges are explored, seeking flourishing for all in the global village.

First-hand observation of, and active participation in, a selected rural or urban community development project in Africa, Asia or Latin America. Projects focus on basic human needs in subsistence economies. All students complete a field-based research assignment. Pre- and post-field classes, readings and assignments emphasize Christian perspectives on development, methods of community development, and cross-cultural skills.

This field course is designed for students who wish to gain an understanding of the principles and practices of Christian community development in an East African context. Through readings, lectures, and week long field visits students will be able to observe and understand the complex nature of poverty in East Africa and the manner in which faith-based development programs attempt a holistic response. This course will emphasize Christian perspectives on development, methods of community development, and cross-cultural skills.

This field course is designed for students who wish to gain an understanding of the principles and practices of community development in the context of an impoverished community. Through a guided internship the student will participate in the day to day activities of a community development program which will include exposure to a wide variety of issues and developmental approaches. By working alongside development practitioners the student will be able to observe and understand the complex nature of poverty and other social issues and the manner in which development agencies attempt a holistic response. The course will emphasize experiential learning of methods and practices of development, the formation of Christian perspectives on community development, as well as cross-cultural skills, depending on the location of the internship.

This field course is designed for students who wish to gain an understanding of the principles and practices of community development in the context of an impoverished community. Through a guided internship the student will participate in the day to day activities of a community development program which will include exposure to a wide variety of issues and developmental approaches. By working alongside development practitioners the student will be able to observe and understand the complex nature of poverty and other social issues and the manner in which development agencies attempt a holistic response. The course will emphasize experiential learning of methods and practices of development, the formation of Christian perspectives on community development, as well as cross-cultural skills, depending on the location of the internship.

Introduction to methods of research design, data collection and data processing techniques used by social scientists. Includes an examination of the relationship between theory and method, research values and ethics and measurement issues as they pertain to experimentation, survey research, field research, content analysis and historical/comparative analysis.

This course concentrates on the philosophical underpinnings, contemporary perspectives, and research methods and strategies employed by qualitative and community engaged researchers. Selected qualitative methods to be explored include: qualitative interviewing, focus groups, ethnography, action research, narrative inquiry, and photovoice. We will also examine the process of qualitative inquiry, such as designing and planning qualitative projects, data collection, coding techniques, data analysis, and communicating the results of research. Students will consider the interplay between qualitative research, social justice, and social change and apply their knowledge in a community engaged research project.

This course will engage students with issues of social and environmental justice by incorporating experiential learning and community engagement into academic coursework. The course will include contributions from various faculty in Sociology, Political Studies, Psychology and Geography, and will provide opportunities for students to be meaningfully engaged with a wide variety of community organizations and initiatives dedicated to addressing issues involving: (i) disadvantaged and at-risk populations including youth, Indigenous peoples, immigrants/refugees, people that live on the street and teen parents to name a few, and (ii) environmental sustainability in relations between humans and their natural environments. As part of the community engaged, experiential component of the course, students will participate in placements with partnering organizations in Edmonton and surrounding regions.

This interdisciplinary course uses place-based, experiential learning to examine the ecological, historical, and cultural connections and implications for developing a "sense of place" and community in a local context. Drawing especially on the social sciences, the course examines the brokenness of relationships - economic, social, political, and otherwise - and efforts to pursue justice and reconcile those relationships. Special attention is given to local Indigenous perspectives, guest speakers representing a wide array of community initiatives, and the history of the land on which the course takes place.

This course examines simplicity at the individual, community, and societal scales, emphasizing its contributions to environmental sustainability, social justice, community vitality, personal well-being, and spiritual health. It considers how overconsumption, as an individual practice and a societal norm, contributes to environmental degradation, social inequality, and personal lack of wellness. Practices of simplicity as alternative value systems and lifeways are explored, highlighting in particular the opportunities and limitations of movements such as Voluntary Simplicity, Minimalism, etc.

The Quest Mexico program takes place over 10 days in Mexico and covers a wide range of topics including peace and justice activism, globalization, Liberation theology, Mexican history, indigenous spirituality, immigration and refugee issues and community development strategies. Relying heavily on the pedagogy of Paulo Friere, the program places a premium on student discovery through lectures, readings, film, interviews, community visits, personal encounters with refugees, migrant workers, justice activists, community development practitioners as well as group learning activities, with additional time set aside for group discussion, debriefing, and reflection.

All students with social science as a first subject of concentration in the B.A. program are required to take this course. The seminar is designed to engage students in clarifying the common ground of traditionally distinct social science disciplines. Emphasis is placed on interdisciplinary concerns.

An opportunity to do intensive study of a special topic in the social sciences of particular interest to the student. Students work closely with a social science faculty member in tutorial meetings or other agreed upon arrangements. A student must apply in advance to the faculty member.