Social Services Work
A range of electives are available to diploma students including the ones listed below. Consult your faculty advisor to develop your course schedule.
Unless entering with SSW Certificate, Engl 111 is a requirement.
Social Services Work
Course of Studies
Semester 4
| Course | Name | Credit | |
|---|---|---|---|
| HSER 254 | Core Concepts in Human Services | 3 | |
| HSER 258 | Fundamentals of Change I | 3 | |
| INDG 287 | Introduction to Indigenous Teachings and Practices | 3 | |
| PSYC 240 | Child Development | 3 | |
| ELECTIVE 005 | Engl 111 or HSER/UAS Elective | 3 | |
| ELECTIVE 005 | Engl 111 or HSER/UAS Elective | 3 | |
| Total | 18 | ||
| Course | Name | Credit | |
|---|---|---|---|
| HSER 276 | Issues in Youth | 3 | |
| GERO 200 | Contemporary Issues in Gerontology | 3 | |
| HSER 267 | Leadership in Human Services | 3 | |
| ADD 384 | Addictions Theory and Practice | 3 |
Semester 5
| Course | Name | Credit | |
|---|---|---|---|
| HSER 255 | Professional Foundations for Human Services | 3 | |
| HSER 281 | Directed Studies - Methods | 3 | |
| PSYC 241 | Adult Development | 3 | |
| HSER 259 | Fundamentals of Change II | 3 | |
| ELECTIVE 005 | Engl 111 or HSER/UAS Elective | 3 | |
| Total | 15 | ||
| Course | Name | Credit | |
|---|---|---|---|
| HSER 257 | Mental Health Issues: Practical Responses | 3 |
Semester 6
| Course | Name | Credit | |
|---|---|---|---|
| HSER 280 | Advanced Human Service Practicum | 6 | |
| Total | 6 | ||
Course Descriptions
HSER 254: Core Concepts in Human Services introduces students to the concepts of theory and practice in Human Services and the interrelationship between the two. A number of theoretical perspectives on change are explored from both a Child and Youth Care and Social Service Worker orientation, including multicultural, feminist, developmental and post modern perspectives. Each of the theoretical perspectives studied offer a basis for understanding the helping relationship and personal change processes. An emphasis will be placed on psychodynamic, humanist, cognitive/behavioural, systemic and solution-focused/narrative approaches to practice.
Prerequisites: HS Certificate or Instructor’s permission.This course is designed to assist the student to develop self-awareness as a helper and to develop both an understanding and a beginning level of skill. Students are required to participate in exercises, role plays, simulations and video taping in interviews and counselling in order to accomplish the course objectives.
Prerequisites: HS Certificate or Instructor's permission.HSER 276: Issues in Youth will explore the issues that face those in adolescence and early adulthood in various societies. 'Adolescence' and 'early adulthood' are terms used to describe a time of life in which major developmental and social changes occur. An exploration of adolescence and early adulthood, and the issues that are unique to these stages of life in various societies will occur. Students will be exposed to theories of adolescence, issues of gender, sociological explanations of existing issues, and to local and international programs designed to address these issues.
Prerequisites: ENGL 110.
INDG 287: Introduction to Indigenous Teachings and Practices will provide students with an introduction to Indigenous studies, including key concepts, themes and topics relevant to Indigenous histories and contemporary practices. The history and impact of colonialism, residential schools and oppression will be explored. We will explore Indigenous Worldview and ways in which we can respectfully participate in creating a future vision which embodies respect for cultural diversity and the health of our planet. Local wisdom keepers will be invited to share stories.
Transfer Credits
INDG 287: Introduction to Indigenous Teachings and Practices is a University Transfer course with established agreements with UVIC, TRU, UFV, VIU, and other post-secondary institutions across the province.
Prerequisites: ENGL 110.PSYC 240: Child Development is an introduction to normal child development. This course explores selected aspects of the physical, cognitive, emotional, and moral development of children from birth to adolescence, and examines the major theories of child development.
Prerequisites: PSYC 100 or PSYC 101 or equivalent.GERO 200: Contemporary Issues in Gerontology will provide students with an understanding of how the process of aging affects individuals and how an aging population affects and influences Canadian society. Aging will be examined within historical, contemporary and culture contexts. Topics will include aging and health, aging demographics, the psychology and sociology of aging, finances and economics, retirement, leisure, housing and transportation, and family social supports. Participants will have the opportunity to identify and examine their personal beliefs and values about the aging process throughout the course.
Prerequisites: Health or Social Science Students and ProfessionalsFor students coming into the CYC diploma program from EACSW or ECCE certificate program, English 111 is a requirement. SSW certificate students must choose an HSER elective OR an alternate UAS elective
HSER 255: Professional Foundations for Human Services explores foundations of Human Service Worker professional practice through an examination of the issues surrounding professional identity, ethical practice, and the interdisciplinary team approach. The skills required for communicating as a professional and as a team member, both oral and written, are developed throughout the course.
Prerequisites: HS Certificate or Instructor's permission.HSER 281: Directed Studies: Methods is a self directed course where students are expected to demonstrate a basic understanding of the specific theoretical approaches to working with a specific client population. Further, students are expected to demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the specific concerns and issues related to this distinctive group, and demonstrate an understanding of the specific approaches and skills used with this group. Learning strategies include library research, exploration of relevant journals, interviewing practitioners and other individual’s small group discussions with the instructor and presentation of results. Typical focus areas may include, but are not limited to, people with specific disabilities, people dealing with substance use/addictions, people who experience violence, community-based advocacy, people who perpetrate violence, people with mental illnesses, people with co-occurring disorders, family preservation and support, individual counselling, geriatrics, preparing people for employment, specific ethnic populations, multicultural work, children and adolescents and First Nations work.
PSYC 241: Adult Development is an introduction to teenage and adult development. This course explores selected aspects of the physical, cognitive, emotional, and moral development from adolescence thru late adulthood.
Prerequisites: PSYC 100 or PSYC 101 or equivalent.HSER 259: Fundamentals of Change II is designed to assist students to build advanced helping skills on the base developed in HSER 258. Students will learn to use their helping relationships and interpersonal communication skills within the framework of the helping process model. Students are required to demonstrate their skill development on video tape, as well as demonstrate analytical skills which will require both self-awareness and knowledge of the helping model. The focus is on the skills required to carry out action planning, support of action and evaluation of outcomes in helping interventions.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of HSER 258.This course provides instruction in a variety of rehabilitative and treatment modalities used in work with marginalized populations. Attitudes toward mental health and substance use problems and how they impact helper effectiveness are explored in a supportive milieu. Evidence-based practices such as Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Harm Reduction are used as frameworks for the development of skills and knowledge. Students are introduced to strategies for overcoming stigma and supporting client empowerment in a variety of community and facility settings.
Pre-requisites: ENGL 12 or equivalent
HSER 280: Advanced Human Services Practicum takes place in a variety of social service agencies in the community. This practicum requires students to work directly with individuals through life span, and with families or groups in order to promote professional skills acquisitions and integration. Emphasis is placed on observation and recording skills, awareness of personal functioning in relation to individuals through the life span, and with families or groups. The ability to demonstrate beginning-level case management planning, interventions, and case-presentation skills with both a one-to-one focus and a group focus are also emphasized.
Prerequisites: All of the required Diploma Courses.
Leadership in Human Services provides a basic introduction to leadership concepts. Students self-reflect as they explore the concepts of emotional intelligence, leadership style, and the qualities and attributes of an effective leader. Students create a plan for developing personal leadership skills and have opportunities to improve their leadership performance in managing conflict, overcoming obstacles, and establishing a constructive climate.
Prerequisites: Meet the admission requirements of Human Service Programs. (Note: Pre-requisite(s) may be waived with the permission of the instructor.)
ADD 384: Addictions Theory and Practice is designed to provide students with an overview of current and emerging research/expertise in the field.
The course will cover diverse definitions and understandings of addiction, as informed by current findings in the fields of neuroscience and social science. Pharmacology basics and the biological, psychological, social, spiritual and environmental dimensions of addiction will be reviewed from a number of perspectives. Current research on attachment, trauma and brain development will be examined in relation to addiction from both developmental and environmental perspectives. A critical examination of the link between policy and practice provides context for the emergence of recovery strategies such as harm reduction and motivational techniques. Special attention will be given to the role of colonization and stigma as it is experienced through ethnicity, gender and culture, and the important role of advocacy in this context.
Transfer Credit
This course is included in the block transfer agreement between Royal Roads University and Selkirk College which allows Selkirk ADRPM students entry into the 4th year of the Royal Roads BSc Degree.
Course Change
Information contained in this course outline is correct at the time of publication. Content of the course is revised on an ongoing basis to ensure relevance to changing educational, employment and market needs. The instructor will endeavor to provide notice of changes to students as soon as possible. The instructor reserves the right to add or delete material from courses.
Prerequisites: 3rd year standing in Advanced Diploma in Rural Pre-Medicine (ADRPM) OR 3rd year standing in Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) OR enrolment in Mental Health and Addictions Associate Certificate OR ADD 184 OR Permission of the Instructor.