The Community Worker Program:George Brown College

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Community Worker Program began in 1975 in response to community requests for individuals trained for community support, program leadership and community development.

Graduates work in issue-focused community groups, resident/tenant associations, neighbourhood services, self-help organizations, and advocacy groups engaged in community development.

The program emphasizes the knowledge, skills and attitudes required to be a community organizer, advocate, group facilitator and popular educator. The program focuses on human rights, community services, social justice and community development and functions as an introduction to the many social service agencies in our multicultural city.

This is a two-year Diploma Program. In the Second, Third and Fourth semesters, students spend two days per week in supervised field placements with community organizations and social service agencies.

Classroom instruction emphasizes developing greater understanding of contemporary society by encouraging students to share their ideas and experience. There is a tradition of participatory learning in our classes, and a commitment to dialogue and the integration of theory and practice. The Faculty has, collectively, over 100 years of experience working and teaching within the fields of community development, adult basic education, community service, and international development.

The Community Worker Program requires a high level of maturity. Students must be prepared to examine their own behaviour and ideas critically and must be able to relate to people who differ from themselves in a respectful and supportive manner.

For those seeking to enter the program, previous community involvement is a major asset. The abilities to write, read and speak 'standard' English clearly and well are essential. Knowledge of other languages, dialects and American Sign Language (ASL) is also important to community workers. (ASL translation in class is available for Community Worker students at George Brown College.)

Graduates are often employed by non-governmental organizations, including a wide variety of advocacy groups, co-operatives, community centres and social service agencies. Recent graduates are working in jobs such as Program Coordinator, Bridges for Youth; Shelter Worker, Ernestine’s Women’s Shelter; Youth International Project Coordinator, Hispanic Development Council; Counselor, COSTI; Support Worker, York South Association for Community Living; and Community Development Worker, Jane-Finch Family and Community Centre. Starting salaries range between $28,000 and $35,000.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS BY PROGRAM THEME

Community Work Theory and Practice / Course Descriptions
Semester I
CWRK 1001: Introduction to Community Work / An introduction to what community work is, why it is important, and how we can do community work most effectively, in the context of field placement preparation. (2 hours/week)
CWRK 1006: Community Work Forum / An introduction to the community services and development sector and to community work practice through guest speakers, films, and discussion. (2 hours/week)
Semester II
CWRK 1003: Community Analysis / An introduction to agency structure, community needs assessment, community work programming, and fundraising. (2 hours/week)
Semester III
CWRK 2012: Proposal Development / An introduction to the form and content of professional funding proposals for new programs and/or organizations. (2 hours/week)
Semester IV
CWRK IV: Community Organizing / An introduction to organizing social and economic justice campaigns in the context of social movements.(2 hours/week)
Social and Political Analysis / Course Descriptions
Semester I
GNED 1089: Political Science I / An introduction to key concepts in political science in the context of Canadian politics. (3 hours/week)
CWRK 1005: Human Rights / An introduction to the concepts of socio-cultural identity and difference, the impact of oppression within and between groups, and the legal instruments designed to prevent discrimination.
(2 hours/week)
Semester II
GNED 1038: Sociology: A Critical Approach / An introduction to basic concepts of sociology and the basic perspectives of sociological thought, which are then applied to the analysis of social institutions, communities, and small groups.
(3 hours/week)
Semester III
CWRK 2019: Canadian Social Policy / An introduction to the major historical and current themes in Canadian social welfare policy.
(3 hours/week)
Choice of one of the following electives:
CWRK 2026: Housing and Homelessness / An examination of housing problems and solutions, including rent-geared-to-income, co-operatives, and supportive housing options.
(2 hours/week)
CWRK 2027: International Development / An exploration of concrete examples of international community work and opportunities for involvement in international programs and solidarity activities.
(2 hours/week)
CWRK 2004: Community Legal Issues / (2 hours/week)
Semester IV
POLI 2000: Global Politics / An examination of issues in global governance, including North-South relations, global inequality, and human security.
(2 hours/week)
Choice of one of the following electives:
TBA / (2 hours/week)
CWRK 2028: Aboriginal Studies / An examination of Aboriginal perspectives and of how specific governmental policies have led to current conditions for indigenous people.
(2 hours/week)
CWRK 2008: Anti-Racism Strategies / An examination of inequalities in society based on race and ethnicity and the strategies that may be used to combat these inequalities and reduce racism. (2 hours/week)
Counseling, Interpersonal, and Group Skills / Course Descriptions
Semester I
CWRK 1008: Interpersonal Communication / An introduction to the theory and practice of interpersonal communication in an intercultural context.
(3 hours/week)
Semester II
CWRK 1009: Group Dynamics / An introduction to the theory and practice of communicating in a small group in an intercultural context.
(3 hours/week)
Semester III
COUN 2003: Counseling / An introduction to counseling theory and effective interviewing from a cross-cultural perspective.
(3 hours/week)
Semester IV
CWRK 2016: Group Leadership / An introduction to the theory and practice of group facilitation and leadership in an intercultural context.
(3 hours/week)
Field Work / Course Descriptions
Semester II
CWRK 1010: Field Work II / Students work in supervised field placements in a variety of community work settings, applying their theoretical knowledge.
(14 hours/week + 35 hours of block placement)
CWRK 1011: Field Seminar II / A faculty-led seminar focused on the scope and structure of the community services and development sector in which students share information about and support each other in their placements. (2 hours/week)
Semester III
CWRK 2002: Field Work III / Students work more independently and undertake more complex tasks in supervised field placements. (14 hours/week + 35 hours block placement)
CWRK 2009: Field Seminar III / A faculty-led seminar focused on ethical practice and critical incident intervention in which students share information about and support each other in their placements.
(2 hours/week)
Semester IV
CWRK 2017: Field Work IV / Students carry out advanced tasks in supervised field placements.
(14 hours/week + 35 hours block placement)
CWRK 2018: Field Work Seminar IV / A faculty-led seminar focused on making the transition from student to worker in which students share information about and support each other in their placements and job research. (2 hours/week)
Interdisciplinary Studies
Semester I
ENGL 1003: English Skills orCOMM 1007: College English / Required course depends on literacy test results. Students who complete ENGL 1003 in first semester are required to complete COMM 1007 in second semester.
(3 hours/week)
Semester II
COMP 1082: Computer Skills and Applications / (3 hours/week or satisfactory completion of computer literacy tests.)
Semester III
General Education Elective
Semester IV / Students choose from courses in Arts and Humanities, Science and Technology, and Social Sciences. (3 hours/week)
General Education Elective / Students choose from courses in Arts and Humanities, Science and Technology, and Social Sciences. (3 hours/week)

THE FOUR SEMESTERS

Semester I / Semester III
Program Courses:
Introduction to Community Work
Community Forum
Political Science I
Human Rights
Interpersonal Communication
Interdisciplinary Courses:
English Skills or College English / Program Courses:
Proposal Development
Canadian Social Policy
Counseling
Field Work III
Field Work Seminar III
Program Electives:(Choose one)
Housing and Homelessness
International Development
Community Legal Issues
Interdisciplinary Courses:
General Education Elective
Semester II / Semester IV
Program Courses:
Community Analysis
Sociology: A Critical Approach
Group Dynamics
Field Work II
Field Seminar II
Interdisciplinary Courses:
College English (if not yet completed)
Computer Skills and Applications / Program Courses:
Community Organizing
Global Politics
Group Leadership
Field Work IV
Field Work Seminar IV
Program Electives:(Choose one)
Aboriginal Studies
Community Research Methods
Anti-Racism Strategies
Interdisciplinary Courses:
General Education Elective

Please Note:Course offerings for program and general education electives are subject to change without notice.