Through practice and reflection, learners nuture personal and professional relationships using interpersonal communication skills. With a focus on other-oriented communication, learners demonstrate how inequities and power dynamics influence relationships.

Disability Studies is a study of the social, cultural, historical, and philosophical perspectives of disability. It is grounded by the belief that the creation of knowledge about disability should be WITH/BY disabled people themselves. This course will provide learners with the historical background of disability and the contexts and paradigms it currently uses today. This course requires a C to be considered a pass.

Planning involves being able to envision a positive and valued future for and with the person and their network of allies. This course evaluates current planning strategies with emphasis on the philosophical principles and values inherent in those strategies. Learners practice writing clear implementation plans incorporating elements of inclusion, empowerment, and individualization.

This course develops knowledge of the history, philosophy, legislation, values, trends and issues related to exceptional learners. It explores student inclusion and provides a wide overview of exceptionalities ranging from mild to severe and child to adulthood. Access and retrieval of information on exceptionalities is emphasized.

This first-year composition course introduces learners to academic writing and critical thinking. They read and analyze sociopolitical, cultural, and gender issues in texts with an emphasis on experiences of people whose voices were historically silenced, particularly those of Indigenous communities in Canada. Learners develop strategies to communicate their own ideas and integrate them with those of others by quoting, paraphrasing, and summarizing source material. Learners present their written assignments professionally according to APA formatting guidelines.

This course introduces the historical and contemporary models of services and supports for those who face barriers in employment. Learners examine practices to engage people in the discovery of personal and professional potential through employment and community contribution. Emphasis falls on the importance of creating and sustaining valued roles for people with disabilities in society.

This course introduces the general principles and key strategies to promote mental health and wellness. Learners examine the co-existence of developmental disabilities and mental health. Focus falls on the critical importance of day-to-day supports for mental health and wellness.

This course introduces the concept of human behaviour as communication. Learners examine positive behavioural strategies supporting individuals at home, school, work, and community.

This practicum gives learners the opportunity to begin integrating theory and practice in the provision of support services to people with disabilities. Learners are placed in community and agency settings and supervised by agency staff. Weekly seminars provide opportunity for reflection and the integration of theory and practice.

Pre- or co-requisite: 9 credits of DCSC/DCSD program.
Pre-requisite: DAST1101

This course provides a comprehensive overview of human growth and development and typical behavioural responses throughout the lifespan. You will analyze human development across four domains: physical, cognitive, social, and emotional. Emphasis is placed upon the stages of development and their linkage to common events occurring during these stages.

This course explores the factors that motivate behaviour and learning. Learners study life outcomes for people with disabilities and complex behaviour needs through an integrated system lens that includes positive behaviour supports, person centered planning and wraparound services. Through the use of ecological and functional assessment tools learners will develop a variety of multi-element positive behaviour intervention and supports that focus on quality of life.

Prerequisites: DAST1301, DAST1401

In this course learners work with people with disabilities across the life span. The focus is on exploring the diverse roles that practitioners are responsible for in their day-to-day work with people and communities. Learners engage in planning activities that integrate multiple aspects of the lives of people with disabilities.

Pre-requisites: DAST1999

This advanced course focuses on building skills for working cooperatively with children and adults in a family. The course covers diverse family structure and relationships as well as issues facing families today. The course involves instruction, role play, and integration on theories of practice with difficult family dynamics. Discussions include family theory from diverse perspectives.

Prerequisite: 12 credits.

Social policy guides and enables the structural and systemic responses to social issues. You will develop your capacity for influencing social change, while examining the effect of social policies on the human service fields where you will work. You will investigate the relationships between economic, social, and political forces and discover the foundations for human service policies in Canada. Together with peers, you will reflect on key Canadian social policies and weigh their impacts on our lives, to address social problems.

This course focuses on the theories, practical skills, and broader issues to guide work in the field of addiction. Learners reflect on their beliefs and values to develop a professional practice drawing upon and respecting the richness and depth of Canada's multicultural society and special populations. Learners explore the types of addiction, the breadth of addiction treatment theory, and how theory informs addiction treatment practice.

Explore the historical roots of early childhood education in Canada, the evolving pedagogical approaches, and the societal shifts that have shaped the field. Gain insights into the policies and regulations that impact young children and inform our approaches to emphasize creative, developmentally appropriate, and inclusive early learning and child care settings. Learn about the professional standards and ethical considerations needed to foster positive learning experiences for young children. Through a holistic exploration of these topics, emerge well-equipped to embark on your journey in early childhood education.

Examine child development through a multicultural lens, focusing on fundamental theories, milestones, and influences on growth. Explore diverse cultural perspectives to develop skills for fostering collaborative relationships with families and communities, ultimately enhancing early childhood development and care.

Through multiple worldviews, including Indigenous perspectives, explore the concepts of how play shapes the developing child, including how both indoor and outdoor environments, as well as urban and rural settings, serve as catalysts for sparking creativity, instilling a sense of wonder, and cultivating joy in childhood experiences. Use evidence-based techniques to build and expand on play by nurturing inquisitiveness, encouraging risk-taking, and fostering problem-solving. Become a partner in play through planning play spaces that incorporate a variety of materials, including natural materials and loose parts, to stimulate children's curiosity and growth.

Learners examine the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on individuals, their families, communities, and societal systems. As part of this examination, learners discuss the ethical issues surrounding prenatal alcohol exposure. They examine the pathways and process of a diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). Learners analyze the complex behaviours exhibited by individuals with FASD to assess their needs and to determine priorities to support those individuals and their families. They explore supports and services available to individuals who are living with FASD.

The lives of individuals with disabilities can be improved through the use of assistive technology. In this course, learners investigate the principles of universal design and explore how those principles guide the incorporation of assistive technology into daily activities. Learners explore a variety of current assistive technologies and strategies for their use with individuals and groups.

Learners examine the theory and skills for intentional interviewing. The course focuses on the development of interviewing skills and the ability to adapt these skills to suit individual interviewee's needs. Learners develop a portfolio of interviewing competencies to enhance their professional practice.

This course focuses on the types of writing used by professionals in human services workplaces. Learners analyze and compose documents which align with the professional practices of the field. Learners explore the writing process, considering purpose and audience in shaping the form and content of the documents. Learners reflect on their own perspectives and biases while implementing strategies to achieve objectivity in their writing.

In this course, learners explore a broad range of trauma issues in the lives of individuals, families, children, and youth. Learners examine the role of the practitioner in assessing the indicators of trauma, providing support and referral, and engaging in self-care. Learners explore policies and practices through a trauma-informed framework. Learners explore how attitudes, values, and experiences affect perceptions and judgments when dealing with various types of trauma.

This course is an exploration of the concepts of living a holistic balanced life according to Indigenous approaches to healing and wellness, and in the areas of the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. By incorporating experiential wellness activities, learners gain insights into how to support clients on their journey of healing, balance, wellness, and harmony.

This course focuses on historical and contemporary issues in society and how advocacy impacts the lives of people with disabilities and their families. Learners explore how experience informs the use of lobbyist tools to elicit social change within various contexts.

Pre-requisite: DAST1101

This course introduces the skills for building community capacity to support and include members with disabilities in meaningful ways. Learners develop knowledge about community development, accessibility through universal design, the essential skills of networking, and the art of relationship building. Emphasis falls on building and nurturing community connections between citizens in a way that values the unique skills and strengths of people with and without disabilities.

Prerequisite: DAST1999

This course focuses on the theoretical and practical principles of effective leadership. Learners explore the theory, structure, and management of organizations as a foundation for program development in the context of human services organizations and funders.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a lifelong condition that impacts a person development throughout the lifespan. This introductory course will explore ASD, the characteristics of ASD, and the impact throughout a person and families life. Learners will gain the knowledge and skills to best support a person and their family experiencing ASD.

This course builds on the Introduction to Exceptionalities. It focuses on teaching/learning strategies and interventions for learners with specific exceptional needs. Resources, assessment procedures and inclusion of individuals with exceptionalities are addressed. The integration of theory, principles and concepts when determining strategies, materials, and activities for exceptional learners is emphasized. An introduction to assistive technology is included.

Explore the historical roots of early childhood education in Canada, the evolving pedagogical approaches, and the societal shifts that have shaped the field. Gain insights into the policies and regulations that impact young children and inform our approaches to emphasize creative, developmentally appropriate, and inclusive early learning and child care settings. Learn about the professional standards and ethical considerations needed to foster positive learning experiences for young children. Through a holistic exploration of these topics, emerge well-equipped to embark on your journey in early childhood education.

Examine child development through a multicultural lens, focusing on fundamental theories, milestones, and influences on growth. Explore diverse cultural perspectives to develop skills for fostering collaborative relationships with families and communities, ultimately enhancing early childhood development and care.

Through multiple worldviews, including Indigenous perspectives, explore the concepts of how play shapes the developing child, including how both indoor and outdoor environments, as well as urban and rural settings, serve as catalysts for sparking creativity, instilling a sense of wonder, and cultivating joy in childhood experiences. Use evidence-based techniques to build and expand on play by nurturing inquisitiveness, encouraging risk-taking, and fostering problem-solving. Become a partner in play through planning play spaces that incorporate a variety of materials, including natural materials and loose parts, to stimulate children's curiosity and growth.

Learners examine the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on individuals, their families, communities, and societal systems. As part of this examination, learners discuss the ethical issues surrounding prenatal alcohol exposure. They examine the pathways and process of a diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). Learners analyze the complex behaviours exhibited by individuals with FASD to assess their needs and to determine priorities to support those individuals and their families. They explore supports and services available to individuals who are living with FASD.

In this course, learners examine the core components of health and wellness, health promotion, and disease prevention within the context of the Canadian health care system. In addition, learners explore strategies to promote and advocate for healthy living for themselves and in their professional practice.

In this course, learners explore a broad range of trauma issues in the lives of individuals, families, children, and youth. Learners examine the role of the practitioner in assessing the indicators of trauma, providing support and referral, and engaging in self-care. Learners explore policies and practices through a trauma-informed framework. Learners explore how attitudes, values, and experiences affect perceptions and judgments when dealing with various types of trauma.

Working with and facilitating groups is a key activity for the human services professional. In this course, learners explore the stages of group development, group roles and norms, theoretical frameworks, intervention, group design, implementation, and evaluation. Learners develop facilitation skills for groups with varying themes and makeup.

This course provides an introduction to the diverse Indigenous Nations of Canada, while looking at the effects of colonialism in both historical and contemporary times, and from multiple perspectives. This course will orient learners to the current goals and challenges of Indigenous communities in Canada today. Learners are encouraged to situate themselves in Truth and Reconciliation and the Calls to Action, especially as they relate to their chosen field of work.

This course is an exploration of the concepts of living a holistic balanced life according to Indigenous approaches to healing and wellness, and in the areas of the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. By incorporating experiential wellness activities, learners gain insights into how to support clients on their journey of healing, balance, wellness, and harmony.

Aging, while an individual experience, is also an experience that is heavily influenced by social structures and social processes. Using the sociological perspective, this course explores contemporary aging by examining choices and experiences that transcend the individual and incorporate larger social groups and processes. In doing so, learners build a foundation in sociological concepts and theories to apply this knowledge to age-related issues. Learners consider demographic factors leading to population aging; the role of social structures and processes in shaping experiences of physical aging; as well as aging in relation to health systems, retirement, social engagement, and family in Canadian society.

This course consists of hands-on experience in an agency providing services to people with disabilities. The practicum enables learners to apply the theory, principles, and techniques to the service setting. Learners follow an area of interest by completing a capstone project that focuses knowledge, experience, research, and analysis of an area identified with the agency. Weekly seminars provide opportunity for reflection and the exploration of theory and practice.

Prerequisite: DAST2998
Pre- or co-requisite: HMSV2503

Prerequisite: Departmental approval