Courses

UVIC ONLINE CALENDAR

SPP 501 Organizational Context of Policy and Practice - 1.5 Units
This course presents a range of conceptual and theoretical frameworks for understanding organizational processes and their effects on work practices within both large bureaucratic institutions and community-based agencies, and on policy development and service delivery in diverse contexts. Students reflect on their own experiences and on the scholarly literature in developing an analysis of organizational discourses, policies and practices.
Current Course Outline

SPP 510 Policy Context of Practice - 1.5 units
This course reviews and analyses a number of explanations of the policy making process. It examines who makes policy in both governmental and voluntary human service organizations and the impact of the policy on consumers and practitioners. The course analyses the policy/practice interface and uses substantive policy domains to illustrate how policy both enhances and constrains practice and how practice in turn can influence policy. Students are encouraged to develop their own understandings of the contributions of practice to policy.
Current Course Outline

SPP 516 Research Methodologies - 1.5 units
This course critically reviews a wide range of research methodologies commonly practised in the human services. The course considers the kinds of opportunities and challenges presented by each methodology. The course emphasizes the link between the development of a research question and the selection of methodological approaches.
Current Course Outline

SPP 519 Theory for Policy and Practice - 1.5 units
This course focuses on theory and the construction of knowledge. Course readings examine the act of theorizing and consider the ways that practice can inform theory, and vice versa, as well as assumptions underlying the creation of knowledge. Assignments support students to become more familiar with engaging theory.
Sample Course Outline

SPP 522 Crititcally Engaging in Research - 1.5 Units
Critical skills for reading and assessing a range of published research. Course readings will include both theoretical and methodological framings and examples of research with which students can be critically engaged. 
Sample Course Outline

SPP 550 Advanced Thesis Seminar - non-credit
This course focuses on in-depth and intensive methodological, analytical, and/or theoretical aspects of research for the thesis. Content varies from year to year depending on students' interests and needs.
Current Course Outline

SPP 560 Communities, Politics and Social Change - 1.5 units
This course engages students in drawing out the possibilities for social change in multiple settings. It draws upon student interests and experiences in exploring the implications raised by the critical analysis of knowledge, issues, organizations, and policies developed in other courses. This course is open to students enrolled in the graduate programs offered by SPP and by the Schools of Social Work, Nursing and Child and Youth Care who have completed SPP 510 and one other SPP required course.
Sample Course Outline

SPP 598 Extended Essay - 3.0 Units
In-depth examination of a topic related to policy and/or practice. 

SPP 599 Thesis - 6.0 units
The thesis will entail specialized research on a topic area chosen in consultation with the student's supervisory committee.