COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

COR1834 Canadian Legal System 1

In order to support clients, it is necessary to understand the systems and institutions which have significant and often harmful impact on their lives. Students critically examine the different components of the Canadian criminal legal system. Students become familiar with how these components relate to each other, and how legislation impacts the system as a whole. Through assignments and presentations, students explore contemporary issues relating to the field.

COR1910 Social Justice Seminar

When working in the community and justice field, it is essential to understand the impact of systemic oppression on people's lives. Students explore a range of social justice issues and deepen empathy for people impacted by these issues. Using self-reflective practices, students examine personal beliefs, feelings, and experiences that inform their perspectives on these issues. Students learn about the historical, social and economic forces that have led to the development of these social justice issues and learn to apply an anti-racist/anti-oppressive lens to understand and discuss social change. Through a variety of activities including group discussions, videos, articles, and personal journals, students begin to understand the ways in which belief systems can impact professional practice with marginalized communities.

COR1914 Community and Justice Resources

Those working in the community and justice field must have a strong awareness of the resources and services available to support the people with whom they work. Students explore community supports and programs available for youth and adults. This includes community and social services, alternatives to incarceration, programs inside institutions, as well as after-care and transitional housing programs. Topics are discussed in a seminar-type learning environment, enhanced by guest speakers from various community and institutional resources.

COR1917 Indigenous Studies

It is essential that workers in the community and justice field have knowledge and understanding of colonization and its impacts on the people with whom we work. Students explore the relationships between Indigenous peoples and settler communities within the context of colonization. Students learn about the legislation and oppressive practices which have had and continue to have an impact on Indigenous people in Canada. These impacts include the Indian Act, residential schools, the Sixties Scoop, contemporary approaches to child protective services and the over-representation of Indigenous peoples in the criminal justice system. Additionally, students examine cultural practices and symbols, self-determination, self-governance, the treaty-making process, as well as resistance and change movements.

COR1919 Interviewing and Counselling Skills

Community and justice workers require a toolkit of counselling approaches to support the people with whom they work. Students develop basic individual support skills widely used in the community and justice field. Students examine approaches and interventions which foster strong and collaborative relationships with clients, including those skills associated with anti-oppressive practice. These skills are developed through a variety of learning approaches, including lectures, role plays, discussions, videos, and small group activities.

COR1959 Community Building Practices

Flourishing communities tend to have strong community support systems in place. Students develop an understanding of the foundations of community development by building community with each other and examining concepts of safety and belonging. Students also explore and develop a process for engaging in generative conflict. Through experiential activities, students examine how to centre accessibility in community building and how to engage in practices that address systemic and structural issues in our communities.

ENL1813A Communications I

Communication remains an essential skill sought by employers, regardless of discipline or field of study. Using a practical, vocation-oriented approach, students focus on meeting the requirements of effective communication. Through a combination of lectures, exercises, and independent learning, students practise writing, speaking, reading, listening, locating and documenting information, and using technology to communicate professionally. Students develop and strengthen communication skills that contribute to success in both educational and workplace environments.

GED5007 Transatlantic Slavery and Its Abolition

The effects of transatlantic slavery, which began in the 15th century and was not abolished until the 19th, are still present in contemporary social, political and economic systems. In this course, students are provided with a chronological understanding of the transatlantic slave trade that charts: 1) its creation and its economic underpinnings in European and American power and wealth; 2) the resistance to slavery and its eventual abolition; and 3) the afterlife of slavery in the present day. Through class discussion, examination of academic and non-academic literature, and analysis of images and videos, students will be introduced to the history and continuing legacy of the transatlantic slave trade.

COR1740 Mental Health

The ways in which various systems (e.g. criminal justice, income assistance, health, education, child welfare, etc.) have been established means that those with mental health disabilities are more likely to come into contact with the law. Coming into contact with the law can also lead to significant mental health distress. Students examine how the community and justice field supports people with mental health disabilities. Students recognize some of the most common signs and symptoms associated with mental health disabilities. Essential information on mental health, including an understanding of assessment and treatment options is explored. Students develop a strengths-based approach to work with clients with mental health disabilities and examine the impacts of stigma, social isolation, and poverty on mental health and wellbeing.

COR1800 Sexuality and Gender Studies

In order to be an effective community and justice services worker, one must have strong skills to work with people from a wide variety of diverse sexual and gender orientations. Students have the opportunity to discuss themes related to sexuality, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. Students learn to self-reflect and unpack their internalized beliefs and the societal norms that influence the way that they view topics relating to gender and sexuality. They also learn practical skills to work with diverse clients in a way that is respectful and values their dignity.

COR1803 Disability Justice

Disability justice is an intersectional movement started by queer, disabled, people of colour. Students examine the principles of disability justice, explore ableism and accessibility, and take stock of the ways in which this impacts people every day. They also look at the connections between ableism, white supremacy and capitalism, as well as the impact of state violence on people with disabilities. There is an opportunity to hear from a variety of people with different disabled identities through videos, readings and guest speakers. Students develop an understanding of what solidarity work looks like and learn practical ways to make the programs and services that they offer in the field more accessible.

COR1835 Canadian Legal System 2

In the Community and Justice Services field, many clients have experience with the carceral system. Students learn more about this system and how it impacts people. Students develop an understanding of the organizational framework of federal and provincial prisons. Through a critical perspective, emphasis is on the many structural reasons why people become involved in or return to the criminal legal system.

COR1916 Group Facilitation

Community and justice workers are often expected to facilitate groups when working in the field. Students cultivate a capacity to plan and facilitate effective groups. Emphasis is on holding space for people in a group setting to communicate, support, or collaborate with each other. Through applied learning activities, students develop the skills to prepare them for group facilitation in the field.

Pre-requisites: COR1919

COR1960 Trauma-Informed Practice

It is essential for community and justice workers to have a solid understanding of and empathy for the ways in which trauma can impact behaviour. Using a strengths-based perspective, students develop an understanding of the connection between trauma and criminalization. They focus on the relational and systemic components of trauma including: intergenerational trauma, interpersonal violence, trauma of oppression and colonization, as well as war and genocide. Students learn interventions that support clients to find a sense of safety in the present and connect with resources. Students also examine vicarious trauma and the importance of self-care to this work.

COR1961 Anti-Racism/Anti-Oppression

An essential component of community and justice work includes supporting people dealing with systemic barriers to accessing the resources needed to thrive. Many people who continuously face oppression in everyday life also struggle with issues of social identity and self-worth due to internalized oppression. Focus is on developing tools and strategies to support these clients, specifically anti-racist and anti-classist practices. Students hear from guest speakers and engage in role plays, group activities and resource sharing to better enhance their anti-oppressive skill set.

Pre-requisites: COR1910 AND COR1917

ENL1823A Communications II

Students continue to develop their workplace writing and speaking skills. Students learn the protocols to write request letters, daily logs, occurrence reports, proposals and meeting minutes. They prepare for field placement and workplace interviews by creating resumes and undergoing a situational-style job interview. Students also complete a variety of role-play exercises designed to prepare them for speaking tasks in the field, such as participation in meetings and delivery of educational workshops.

Pre-requisites: ENL1813A

COR1801 Ethics and Professional Practice

Ethical guidelines inform the day-to-day decisions made by people working in the community and justice field. Focus is on supporting students to develop an ethical decision-making compass based on client rights as well as agency and ministry standards. Students also have the opportunity to sharpen their skills in professional practice in preparation for transitioning into their placement.

COR1802 Working with Children, Youth and Families

The skills required to work with children, youth, and families are essential in the community and justice field. Students examine developmentally appropriate approaches to working with children, youth, and caregivers, as well as inclusive practices to support diverse families. Students also have an opportunity to better understand family dynamics and the ways in which family struggles are influenced by forces of oppression.

Pre-requisites: COR1916 AND COR1919

COR1804 Advocacy and Crisis Prevention

Trauma-informed practice is a strengths-based approach that focuses on safety, relationship, choice, collaboration and empowerment as well as respect for diversity. It supports community and justice workers to understand how the experiences of clients may shape the ways in which they engage in the system. Students develop trauma-informed case management and advocacy. Student management which is a collaborative process of assessment, planning, systems navigation, and care coordination. They also develop advocacy skills and develop an understanding of how learning appropriate Legislation can assist with this process.

Pre-requisites: COR1919 AND COR1960

COR1805 Land-Based Social Justice Education

Land-based social justice education can be used to support the wellbeing of people whom we work with in the community and justice field. People who are impacted by the criminal legal system are typically also impacted by other oppressive forces such as colonization, white supremacy, and racial capitalism. Land-based social justice education focuses on learning from the Land in ways that are inherently decolonial. Students have the opportunity to learn Land-based social justice education practices in the context of connecting with the Land. An emphasis will be placed on Indigenous voices and cross-cultural Land-based social justice practices that inherently promote wellbeing for the people whom we work with.

COR1806 Immigration & Settlement

Many of the people that we work with in the field find themselves at the intersections between the criminal legal system and the immigration system. It is essential that community and justice workers gain the skills to support and advocate for newcomers. Students examine the history of migration to Canada and understand how it is connected to the racialization process. They look at settlement, the pressures to become 'Canadian' and examine the barriers that many newcomers face due to the inherent exclusionary design of the system. Through the use of guest speakers, case studies and role play opportunities, students develop their skills for supporting newcomers.

COR1807 Transformative Justice

Transformative justice is an approach for responding to violence at the grassroots level without relying on policing and prisons. Students learn about alternatives to the criminal legal system, discussing the history of abolition in Canada and why it is important to Community and Justice Services work. They also examine restorative justice within the community and criminal legal system.

COR1949 Addictions and Harm Reduction

Substance use should be viewed as occurring on a continuum. As a result, the addiction and recovery support that an individual can seek will vary from person to person. Students learn to work from a client-centered, trauma-informed perspective to support a wide variety of clients dealing with substance use-related challenges. Students also develop competency in harm reduction as well as other addiction counselling modalities. Emphasis is on de-pathologizing and de-stigmatizing narratives associated with drug use as well as anti-racism/anti-oppression. Students have the opportunity to learn from a variety of mediums including guest speakers, videos, discussions, small group activities, and lectures.

Pre-requisites: COR1960

ENV0002 Environmental Citizenship

Environmental citizenship is based on the principles of national citizenship, yet it goes beyond political borders to emphasize global environmental rights and responsibilities. An environmental citizen is committed to learning more about the environment and to taking responsible environmental action. Through a combination of interactive activities, assignments and discussions, students learn how they are personally connected with current environmental issues. Students are also encouraged to adopt attitudes and behaviours that foster global environmental responsibility.

COR1963 Integrative Seminar

In preparation for the employment search, students need to be able to articulate their skillset. Students participate in a two-week intensive course that brings together theory and practice, and provides students with the opportunity to integrate the learning they have had over the two-year Community and Justice Services program. Students develop the skills necessary to clearly and concisely articulate the skillset they have developed during their participation in the CJS program.

Pre-requisites: COR1740 AND COR1800 AND COR1801 AND COR1802 AND COR1803 AND COR1804 AND COR1805 AND COR1806 AND COR1807 AND COR1834 AND COR1835 AND COR1910 AND COR1914 AND COR1916 AND COR1917 AND COR1919 AND COR1949 AND COR1959 AND COR1960 AND COR1961 AND ENL1813A AND ENL1823A

COR1965 Field Placement

Authentic work experiences provide students with a realistic perspective of a career and provide potential employers with much-desired experience with respect to new employees. Students work in a community or justice services agency selected by the faculty in consultation with the student. This is an opportunity for students to integrate theory and practice. The completion of practicum is based on an assessment of performance by faculty in consultation with the fieldwork supervisor and the student.

Pre-requisites: COR1740 AND COR1800 AND COR1801 AND COR1802 AND COR1803 AND COR1804 AND COR1805 AND COR1806 AND COR1807 AND COR1834 AND COR1835 AND COR1910 AND COR1914 AND COR1916 AND COR1917 AND COR1919 AND COR1949 AND COR1959 AND COR1960 AND COR1961 AND ENL1813A AND ENL1823A

Co-requisites: COR1966

COR1966 Field Placement Seminar

Reflective practice provides opportunities for growth and development for all participants. Students have the opportunity to make connections between the theory they have learned in the first three semesters of study and their practical experience in field placement. Students learn from each other's direct experience. Through group discussions and self-reflection opportunities, students continue to build skills as community and justice workers in preparation for employment opportunities in the future.

Pre-requisites: COR1740 AND COR1800 AND COR1801 AND COR1802 AND COR1803 AND COR1804 AND COR1805 AND COR1806 AND COR1807 AND COR1834 AND COR1835 AND COR1910 AND COR1914 AND COR1916 AND COR1917 AND COR1919 AND COR1949 AND COR1959 AND COR1960 AND COR1961 AND ENL1813A AND ENL1823A

Co-requisites: COR1965