The Course List displayed here is for the most recent version of the program only.
Current students should always consult their Individualized Education Plan (IEP) on myDawson.
Term 1
Course Number
Course Name
C - L - H
Hrs
Concentration
350-988-DW
Human Development
3 - 0 - 2
45
Description:
Human Development is for students in Social Service. This course provides an introduction to human development through an exploration of lifelong changes that occur from conception to death. Each stage of the life-cycle will be examined through the cognitive, psychosocial and emotional influences on human development. All students will be required to demonstrate an understanding of the major theorists in the field of developmental psychology and the implications of these theories via exams and class assignments that make up a portfolio bridging the lifespan.
388-112-DW
Introduction to Social Service Practice
2 - 1 - 2
45
Description:
This course introduces the student to the practice of social service work. It aims to identify and examine various components of practice such as what the social service worker does, where they practice and the areas of knowledge they must develop. The means through which social service workers achieve the goal of empowering those who use services are analyzed. An important part of the course examines the place of values in social service, including professional values and their relationship to personal or societal values. Learning activities include many participatory and experiential activities. Some activities of the course prepare the student for their first fieldwork experience in second semester.
388-113-DW
Resources for Human Needs
1 - 2 - 2
45
Description:
In this course, students are introduced to the social service field, in particular to the needs of the populations served by social service workers and the social organizations and public agencies that respond to these needs. Students will learn how to assess clients' needs, both met and unmet, and identify types of resources that would assist those seeking help to develop their potential by meeting their specific needs. Through the use of case scenarios, students will practice needs assessment and various methods for finding resources that respond to particular problem situations. There will also be opportunity to visit community agencies to learn about services available in our community.
388-114-DW
Communication Skills in Social Service Practice
1 - 2 - 2
45
Description:
This highly experiential course, the students' first in the program, is taught as a one-week intensive course prior to the start of the semester. The course is structured to provide students with the opportunity to engage with peers and teachers, to develop relationships and to integrate quickly into the social service program. Students will gain knowledge and skills to become effective communicators within the helping relationships they will form as future social service workers. The elements of interpersonal communication, the impact of culture on communication, as well as techniques such as attending, paraphrasing and empathizing will be addressed. Expressing oneself assertively to meet one's own needs while being “other-oriented” and respecting the needs and rights of others will be practiced. An important part of the course is to develop more aware of oneself as a communicator, and students will learn to assess their own communication style and the impact of this style on others.
388-115-DW
Addressing Social Problems I
2 - 2 - 2
60
Description:
This course addresses prevalent social problems in Canada, such as poverty and social inequality, racism, colonization, xenophobia, and gender inequality. Students will learn to analyze the causes and manifestations of social problems using different theoretical perspectives. They will begin to understand the impact of these social problems on people's lives from a strengths-based and empathic perspective. The knowledge gained in this course forms a foundation on which to build the student's understanding of the connections between individual experience and social location, and the larger society, as well as the meaning this has for their future practice as social service workers. Through their research on a specific social problem, students will develop college level academic skills (library research, evaluation of reliable sources, critical thinking, APA standards).
388-116-DW
Social Welfare and Legislation
2 - 1 - 2
45
Description:
This course focuses on social welfare, policies, and social laws. Their connection to social problems and their impact on people's lives will be examined as well as responses through various types of intervention with a focus on the role of social work. Students will gain a working knowledge of current social security programs and selected laws in Quebec and Canada in order to prepare them for fieldwork.
This course is designed to introduce students to a variety of mental health problems and to enhance critical thinking and awareness of the ways in which biological factors as well as social, political and cultural trends affect an individual's mental health. The course also provides students with specific skills pertinent to their professional careers. Among topics covered are the current diagnostic system and a number of mental health problems including anxiety disorders, affective disorders, personality disorders, eating disorders, disorders associated with drug and alcohol abuse, schizophrenia, and disorders of childhood and of aging. The topics of stress and stress management are also covered.
388-102-DW
Introduction to Intervention
2 - 1 - 2
45
Description:
This course helps students to apply the knowledge and skills gained in first-year courses to a practice context. Students develop the ability to conduct beginning helping interviews and to assess individuals' needs and resources using a social service theoretical framework.
388-211-DW
Fieldwork 1
2 - 6 - 1
120
Description:
Students have their first fieldwork experience in the second semester of the program by spending one day per week in a supervised social service setting. This provides students with the opportunity to begin applying professional skills and make links between their developing social service knowledge and the direct experience of social service practice. Students also participate in a two hour weekly seminar where the connections between theory and practice are facilitated and there is opportunity for critical reflection on field practice issues.
388-212-DW
Groupwork 1
1 - 2 - 1
45
Description:
This course provides the student with an understanding of the range of groupwork possibilities within social services. Basic learning related to the components of an effective group session consists in examining the different types of groups encountered in the field, planning for a group, knowing rules of procedure, and identifying the tasks, roles and processes involved in groupwork. Students will engage in role-play activities to develop their group animation skills and to learn about the ways in which groupwork is used by social service workers with different populations.
388-215-DW
Addressing Social Problems 2
2 - 1 - 2
45
Description:
Addressing Social Problems 2 builds on the knowledge acquired in Addressing Social Problems 1 and the focus will be on an in-depth examination of the impact of particular social problems on individuals, family and community. Students will analyze some of the major social problems that are experienced by social service clients such as: gender issues and violence, child abuse, delinquency and legislative response to young offenders, sexuality and sexual difference, health and mental health issues, substance abuse, ageism and disability. The course continues to develop the students' understanding of the root causes of social problems, their historical development, social policy and links to economic and political factors.
General Education
603-10x-DW
English 102 or 103
2 - 2 - 3
60
Please see the English Department's offering of courses for:
This course introduces the student to the importance family dynamics, family history and social location, both for our clients and ourselves as professionals. The course continues the process of personal and professional self-awareness in relation to the student's own family. Students will learn the major theories of family functioning with a view to gaining greater insight into the complex issues faced by families in Canada today. Students will learn how to assess a family from a family systems perspective, with an emphasis on the strengths based approach. An examination of personal attitudes, beliefs, and values will help students develop an appreciation and understanding of diverse family forms and experiences.
388-311-DW
Fieldwork 2
4 - 6 - 2
150
Description:
This dynamic course consists of three distinct and related components. The first is the weekly fieldwork placement which offers a full day of social service experience in a selected agency that will continue into the next semester's fieldwork course. Students are supervised in their field setting by an on-site supervisor. A wide variety of settings are available for fieldwork training. The second component is the weekly two-hour fieldwork seminar where students have an opportunity to meet in groups with their field liaison teacher for mutual support and guided learning regarding their experiences in the fieldwork setting. The third component is the weekly two-hour professional writing workshop. Here students will learn the most important elements of professional written communication in social service work. Students will learn how to write case notes, reports, letters, and how to manage the paperwork of the profession.
388-312-DW
Groupwork 2
1 - 2 - 2
45
Description:
In this intervention course, students have the opportunity to explore groupwork theory and dynamics in greater depth. The course presents a comprehensive theoretical model, which demonstrates how to integrate the skills necessary to facilitate various types of groups. Students will demonstrate this ability by developing a comprehensive groupwork proposal and plan. Professional activities such as the needs assessment, recruitment, group structuring, and intervention strategies for the various group phases and stages will be covered.
388-313-DW
Intervention with Individuals
2 - 1 - 2
45
Description:
The focus in this 2nd year course is on building psychosocial intervention skills with individuals. The course draws on learning gained in 1st year, particularly the course Introduction to Intervention. Students will develop skills in conducting interviews with individuals. These include beginning skills needed for intake interviews and assessment, as well as for making referrals, contracting and the development of a service plan. Skills to support people in problem solving efforts, in effecting change, as well as intervening with people in their environments will be developed. Lastly, ending interview skills will also be addressed.
388-315-DW
Topics in Understanding Intervention 1
2 - 1 - 2
45
Description:
Health, Illness & Aging is the subtitle for this course in which students study concepts of mental and physical health through various stages of life. Gender development, sexual diversity and orientation issues are examined as they impact the practice of social service work. Students will gain an understanding of the processes of illness from early childhood to later life cycles. Included in the course are theoretical concepts of loss, death and dying and their relationship to social service work. The process of aging and its impact on the elderly and their family is explored in relation to individual experiences, coping mechanisms and services available.
General Education
603-10x-DW
English 102 or 103
2 - 2 - 3
60
Please see the English Department's offering of courses for:
Montreal neighbourhoods are noteworthy for their multiethnic population. The aim of the course is to explore this ethnic diversity in an effort to better understand the characteristics of ethnic groups and their place in Montreal. During the course, the experiences of various ethnic groups in Montreal will be examined, as will the implications of these for the practice of social service work.
388-411-DW
Social Service Research
1 - 2 - 2
45
Description:
In this course, students examine the role of research in social service practice and learn basic skills that enable them to participate in simple research projects and to understand social service research literature.
388-413-DW
Understanding Families 2
2 - 1 - 2
45
Description:
This course builds on the family assessment skills developed in Understanding Families I. Students will demonstrate their ability to carry out a written assessment of the needs and resources of a family. Students will explore various social issues as they relate to working with families; separation and divorce, family violence, child abuse and neglect, addiction, and parenting skills. Approaches to working with families, parents and children will be examined. Social policy regarding families will also be covered.
388-424-DW
Fieldwork 3
2 - 6 - 2
120
Description:
Fieldwork 3 consists of a full day in the same organization as Fieldwork 2 and is supplemented with a 2 hour weekly field seminar class. Students in the second year of the Program are able to provide continuity to the field placement through two semesters of engagement while furthering their development of professional qualities and attributes, knowledge and practice skills.
388-425-DW
Topics in Understanding Intervention 2
2 - 1 - 2
45
Description:
This course will focus on three main challenging areas of social work practice: Addiction, Disability, and Homelessness. Knowledge, skills and competencies required to work effectively with clients in these diverse population groups will be examined. Specific attention will be given to assessment and intervention and various approaches to human service delivery.
In this course, students study selected models and approaches to social service practice and apply these to real and simulated case situations.
388-512-DW
Crisis Intervention
2 - 2 - 3
60
Description:
How does one cope when life becomes overwhelming? How can you help a person who feels like they have no hope? How do you deal with someone who is suicidal? Who has lost a loved one? Who is experiencing a turning point in their struggle with dependence on drugs or gambling? These are some of the challenging situations a social service worker may encounter that are explored in this course through the theory and practice of crisis intervention. The course provides a step by step intervention process to help workers feel confident even in the most difficult cases.
388-513-DW
Intervention with Mandated Clienteles
2 - 1 - 3
45
Description:
This course will examine the knowledge and skills required to respond to the needs of clients who are legally mandated to receive help from social service workers. Students will be introduced to basic legal principles, acquire knowledge of court procedures, and the advocacy and intervention skills necessary to support clients whose problems relate to laws or legal issues. Students will gain detailed knowledge of laws that relate to social service clients such as the Quebec Youth Protection Act, the Youth Criminal Justice Act, the Quebec Mental Health Act, the Public Curator's Act, and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. Students will also learn and practice the psychosocial assessment and intervention skills required to work with clients whose lives are affected by these laws.
388-534-DW
Fieldwork 4
2 - 15 - 2
255
Description:
In this course, the student will engage in an internship at a field placement for 2 ½ days per week, as well as participate in a weekly 2 hour field seminar at the college. This field practice course aims to offer students the opportunity to proceed to a more advanced level of social service practice using a generalist approach. The student will also have the opportunity to consolidate and build on the knowledge, professional values and skills acquired over the first two years of the program.
This course helps students determine what psychosocial needs are present in their organization or community and then respond to them by providing appropriate resources. Investigating these needs, developing a plan to address them, finding funding sources, and implementing the program will be some of the skills students develop in this course.
388-614-DW
Fieldwork 5
2 - 18 - 3
300
Description:
This course continues the professional development of the student started in Fieldwork 4. Offered in the last semester of the program, the student will continue their supervised internship, and increase their hours in field to 3 days per week. This experience together with a weekly 2 hour seminar at the college prepares the student to further consolidate their intervention skills and social service practice from a generalist perspective. On completion of this course, students will be prepared for employment at a professional level of social service work. Students will also complete the comprehensive assessment in this course and integrate the knowledge, skills and professional values learned over the three year Social Service Program.
388-624-DW
Community Intervention
2 - 1 - 3
45
Description:
This course allows students to develop the skills of working with geographic communities and with communities of people who share an identity or a common interest. This involves selecting, planning and carrying out collective projects in ways that respect people's autonomy and self-determination. Some skills include using media, organizing events, developing strategies and tactics and using various advocacy techniques to defend individual and collective rights.
