Sessional - Faculty (SOCW 4550)

The School of Social Work and Human Service (Faculty of Education and Social Work) at Thompson Rivers University invites applications for one sessional lecturer to teach the course SOCW 4550 – Social Work Practice with Communities (3,0,0) in person via face to face at the Kamloops campus. The course is scheduled Wednesday from 17:30 to 20:20 from Janauary 12, 2026 to April 14, 2026 with a two week exam period to follow. The successful applicant must be available during the scheduled course time to deliver the course in person.

SOCW 4550 Calendar Description

Students explore the construction of community and analyze marginalization, exclusion, and oppression in communities. The course outlines social work roles as well as strategies for change in diverse communities. The history, philosophy, models, and methods of social practice with communities are described.

Educational Objectives/Learning Outcomes

1. To apply concepts of community theory to analyze community change.

2. To describe exclusion, marginalization and oppression in communities and identify its basis in relations of gender, class, race, age, and ability.

3. To describe the major historical and philosophical influences on contemporary Canadian community work.

4. To describe the roles of social workers in community change.

5. To describe, analyze, and evaluate an issue of community change.

6. To propose an effective intervention strategy in relation to a community need.

7. To identify the social work skills needed for effective practice within minority communities.

ABOUT THOMPSON RIVERS UNIVERSITY

Thompson Rivers University (TRU) campuses are on the traditional lands of the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc (Kamloops campus) and the T'exelc (Williams Lake campus) within Secwépemc'ulucw, the traditional and unceded territory of the Secwépemc people. Our region also extends into the territories of the Stat'imc, Nlaka'pamux, Nuxalk, Tsilh'qotin, Dakelh, and Métis peoples.

For over 50 years Thompson Rivers University has taken pride in providing an excellent education to students with a variety of backgrounds and perspectives who are at various stages of their learning journey. TRU strives to become the University of Choice for B.C.'s Indigenous students. Offering both on-campus, regional and online programs, TRU attracts a significant Indigenous student body as well as students and faculty from across Canada and internationally. In Kamloops (from the Secwepemc word for this area: Tk'emlups "meeting of the waters"), the main campus overlooks the junction of the North and South Thompson Rivers, from which the university gets its name.

TRU is a comprehensive, learner-centered, environmentally responsible institution that serves its regional, national, and international learners and their communities through high quality and flexible education, training, research and scholarship. From traditional academics to trades, from certificates to graduate degrees, TRU offers students choice from over 140 on-campus programs and 50 Open Learning programs. More than 28,500 students study on campuses in Kamloops and Williams Lake, or in distance or online courses and programs through Open Learning. Research, creation and innovation thrive in TRU's open, flexible learning environment. TRU gained Platinum and the highest over-all sustainability score in the prestigious and globally recognized AASHE STARS report.

TRU is the 4th largest university in British Columbia, is a member of the Research Universities Council of British Columbia, and has its main campus situated in beautiful Kamloops. The Kamloops campus is a midsize, modern, comprehensive and stunning campus. Kamloops is a vibrant city of 100,000 located within just three hours' driving distance from Vancouver or 45 minutes by air. Kamloops offers wonderful beauty, weather, amenities, culture, friendliness, and affordability. To learn more about living in Kamloops and about Thompson Rivers University please visit our Web Site: Living in Kamloops and working at the TRU.

QUALIFICATIONS

• The minimum academic qualification is a master's degree in social work; a PhD or earned doctorate in a relevant discipline with a graduate degree in social work is preferred.
• Successful teaching experience in post-secondary institutions preferred.
• A minimum of five years of related practice experience and/or educational specialization relevant to social work practice with communities is required.
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal and communication skills required.
• Demonstrated experience in integrating Indigenous knowledge and teaching methods (TRC CA 62).
• Proven skills in building student capacity for intercultural understanding, empathy, and mutual respect (TRC CA 63).
• Teaching excellence, including developing culturally appropriate curricula (TRC CA 10).