Introduction to Social Service Work Theory and Practice

This course introduces students to social work theories that influence the practice of social service work.  Students will be introduced to the roles and scope of practice of a social service worker, the profession of social work, and the theories that inform social service worker practice. Attention is given to anti-oppressive and empowerment   perspectives with an emphasis on structural, feminist, indigenous, ecological and strengths-based theories.   This theoretical foundation enables students to make the links between structural analysis and social service work practice and identify various forms of oppression, discrimination, and power and privilege.  Students can expect to develop anti-oppressive practice stance that is consistent with professional values, ethics and standards of practice.