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Social justice and diversity competencies

Students in the Social justice and diversity field of study are expected to acquire competencies in the following areas: ethical decision making, reflexivity, power analysis, collaboration and critical approach, practice and policy development, and research and resource mobilization.

Assessment indicators are based on evaluations/assignments in the Social justice and diversity courses and practica.

infographic showing the competencies for the social justice and diversity field of study, outlined below.

Ethical decision-making

Skills
  1. Developing and maintaining professional ethics in:
    • Practice with individuals and communities
    • Research
    • Policy practice and advocacy
Courses
  • SWK4306
  • SWK4606
  • SWK4304
  • SWK4512
Assessment indicators/methods
  • Research this Training
  • Critical reflection papers
  • Research proposal
  • In-class participation

Reflexivity

Skills
  1. Engaging in critical self-reflection and life-long learning
  2. Deep consideration of positionality
  3. Striving to work with cultural humility
  4. Conveying vulnerability and transparency
Courses
  • SWK4306
  • SWK4606
  • SWK4304
  • SWK4512
Assessment indicators/methods
  • Critical reflection papers
  • In-class photo voice activity and reflection paper
  • In-class participation

Power analysis

Skills
  1. Analyzing power structure and differentials, further linking to:
    • Globalization
    • Anti-oppressive practice analysis
    • Theory of change
    • Policy analysis
    • Conducting research
Courses
  • SWK4306
  • SWK4304
  • SWK4512
Assessment indicators/methods
  • Social action project
  • Policy advocacy project
  • Research proposal
  • In-class discussion

Collaboration and critical approach

Skills
  1. Honing critical literacy skills
  2. Modeling respectful communication and co-leadership
  3. Relationship-building at micro, mesh, and macro levels
  4. Issue-framing through lenses of root causes and critical hope
Courses
  • SWK4306
  • SWK4304
  • SWK4512
Assessment indicators/methods
  • Research proposal
  • Social action project
  • Intergroup dialogue facilitation
  • Peer consultation assignment
  • In-class activities and discussion

Practice and policy development

Skills
  1. Developing and evaluating programs
  2. Facilitating organizational change
  3. Examining policy alternatives
  4. Promoting empowerment practice
  5. Collaborating toward community intervention
Courses
  • SWK4606
  • SWK4304
  • SWK4512
Assessment indicators/methods
  • Practice portfolio
  • Policy briefs
  • Research proposal
  • In-class activities

Research and resource mobilization

Skills
  1. Cultivating partnerships with individuals, families, communities, and organizations
  2. Conceptualizing and writing proposals
  3. Engaging in asset-mapping
  4. Knowledge translation and mobilization, by, with and for community
Courses
  • SWK4306
  • SWK4512
Assessment indicators/methods
  • Research proposal
  • Peer consultation assignment
  • Social action proposal
  • In-class experiential exercises