Arts Academic Plans

The following specializations are open to all students majoring in Social Development Studies.

Cultural Diversity Specialization

The Cultural Diversity Specialization allows students to develop a concentration of courses related to cultural diversity and social development that will be noted on their transcripts. It is designed for students interested in developing knowledge and skills that help them to understand and work with people from diverse backgrounds both within Canada and internationally. 

Requirements

The Cultural Diversity Specialization requires successful completion of six courses:

• at least four of:
  • PACS 327
  • PSYCH 349R, PSYCH 444R
  • SDS 311R/LS 373, SDS 370R, SDS 388R, SDS 405R, SDS 449R, SDS 450R, SDS 490R, SDS 495R, SDS 496R, SDS 499A, SDS 499B 
  • SOCWK 301R, SOCWK 322R
  • SPCOM 226 
• remaining courses from the courses above or the following courses:
  • ANTH 233
  • APPLS 301/GER 301
  • EASIA 201R, EASIA 202R, EASIA 203R, EASIA 204R, EASIA 220R, EASIA 301R
  • ENGL 108B, ENGL 208L, ENGL 318
  • FR 292 or FR 297
  • GER 100, GER 272, GER 385/REES 385 
  • HIST 221, HIST 224, HIST 321/LS 331, HIST 351
  • ITALST 270, ITALST 271, ITALST 292    
  • REES 272, REES 274
  • RS 220
  • SI 121R, SI 221R, SI 315R, SI 390R
  • SOC 256
  • SPAN 217, SPAN 218
  • WS 202

Education Specialization

The Education Specialization allows students to develop a concentration of courses related to studies in education that will be noted on their transcripts. It is designed for students interested in professions within the private and public sectors and in graduate studies that focus on teaching and learning, children and youth, program development and evaluation, and policy analysis. 

Requirements

The Education Specialization requires successful completion of six courses:

• at least five of:
  • SDS 205R/HIST 225, SDS 210R/LS 273, SDS 215R, SDS 220R, SDS 415R, SDS 425R, SDS 450R, SDS 490R, SDS 495R, SDS 496R, SDS 499A, SDS 499B

  • PSYCH 212/PSYCH 212R, PSYCH 213R, PSYCH 312/PSYCH 312R

  • SOC 204R, SOC 207R/SOC 207 

• remaining course from the courses above or the following courses:

  • APPLS 304R

  • ENGL 208C, ENGL 217

  • FR 484

  • PACS 314

  • PHIL 311

  • PSYCH 211, PSYCH 315, PSYCH 317, PSYCH 319, PSYCH 444R

  • SOC 307, SOC 416

  • SOCWK 355R 

Individual Well-Being and Development Specialization 

The Individual Well-Being and Development (IWD) Specialization allows students to develop a concentration of courses in individual human development that will be noted on their transcripts. In addition to the benefits to their own personal development, students taking the specialization will be well-prepared for careers in areas such as life coaching and training, leadership development, and human resources.

Requirements

The IWD Specialization requires successful completion of six courses:

• at least four of:
  • PSYCH 226R, PSYCH 354/PSYCH 354R, PSYCH 356/PSYCH 356R, PSYCH 444R, PSYCH 448R, PSYCH 450R
  • SDS 350R, SDS 355R, SDS 440R, SDS 490R, SDS 495R, SDS 496R, SDS 499A, SDS 499B
  • SOCWK 220R, SOCWK 321R    
• remaining courses from the courses above or the following courses:
  • GERON 201/HLTH 201, GERON 352/HLTH 352/KIN 352/REC 362/SOC 352
  • PACS 202/LS 271, PACS 323/LS 319 
  • PHIL 201, PHIL 202/WS 222, PHIL 220
  • PSYCH 318
  • SMF 101, SMF 306
  • SOC 200, SOC 204R

Social Policy and Social Action Specialization

The Social Policy and Social Action Specialization allows students to develop a concentration of courses in social policy and social action that will be noted on their transcripts. It is designed for students interested in careers in public service or civil society organizations in areas such as community organization, law, global governance, human rights, health, housing, and the environment.

Requirements

The Social Policy and Social Action Specialization requires successful completion of six courses:

• at least four of: 
  • SDS 210R/LS 273, SDS 231R, SDS 311R/LS 373, SDS 312R, SDS 331R, SDS 388R, SDS 400R, SDS 431R, SDS 450R, SDS 490R, SDS 495R, SDS 496R, SDS 499A, SDS 499B 
  • SOCWK 222R, SOCWK 300R, SOCWK 322R, SOCWK 450R
  • SOC 224R, SOC 450R
• remaining courses from the courses above or the following courses:
  • HIST 389
  • HLTH 260, HLTH 410
  • INDEV 302
  • PHIL 216, PHIL 328/LS 352
  • PLAN 340, PLAN 431
  • PSCI 260/LS 206, PSCI 281, PSCI 282, PSCI 334, PSCI 382, PSCI 389/LS 366, PSCI 431, PSCI 439, PSCI 472
  • PSYCH 444R    

Notes

1. Topics studied in the senior seminar, apprenticeship courses, special studies, and senior essay/thesis must be related to the specialization and be approved by the Department Chair.
2. Other courses may be considered as approved upon written request to, and written confirmation from, the Chair of Social Development Studies.

Social Work Specialization

The Social Work Specialization allows students to develop a concentration of courses related to studies in social work that will be noted on their transcripts. It is designed for students interested in social work, and includes many of the prerequisite courses that will prepare students who plan to apply to the Bachelor of Social Work program at Renison University College.

Requirements

The Social Work Specialization requires successful completion of five courses:

• SOCWK 220R, SOCWK 221R, SOCWK 222R, SOCWK 300R, SOCWK 321R

Notes

1. The Social Work Specialization does not include all of the prerequisite courses required for application to the Bachelor of Social Work program at Renison University College. Students should contact the School of Social Work, the Renison Admissions Officer, or an academic advisor for guidance on the remaining required courses.
2. Other courses may be considered as approved upon written request to, and written confirmation from, the Chair of Social Development Studies.