This course introduces the field of women's studies, with emphasis on the theoretical foundations of feminist analysis and the diversity of debates within feminism. The primary focus surrounds issues of gender as a social, cultural and political construct and how this intersects with, for example, race, class and sexuality. The course is also an opportunity to explore the shared and diverse aspects of women's experiences and show how women's studies as an academic discipline challenges the methods, theories and knowledge of traditional disciplines.

This course is designed to create an environment in which students can begin to critically examine social work in its broadest terms. The purpose of the course is to enable students to reflect and examine their values, beliefs and feelings in relation to society of which they are members and to explore their present and potential roles and responsibilities as a social work practitioner. Students will examine dominant influences that affect decision-making and communication in society. The course will provide an opportunity for students to relate and integrate these ideas with the philosophies and values of social welfare with a structural social work perspective.

The role of an Educational Assistant involves assisting children who have delays in speech, language and communication. This course will provide students with specific techniques and intervention strategies to work with speech-language pathologists in supporting these children.

Topics will include the evolution and current theoretical and ideological basis of social policy and practice in the justice system; analysis of the operational practices of the criminal justice system: the law, police, court, correctional (rehabilitation and diversion); and special additional focus on the problems the system has in dealing with young and native persons.

An inquiry into contemporary and historical concepts, assumptions, and expressions of gender, and their political, personal, cultural, and social implications.

The structure and function of the family system, historically and cross-culturally will be explored in this course. The family system in contemporary societies emphasizing its institutional characteristics and current trends will be a focus.