Sessional Faculty (SOCW 4540) ()

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 4540 Decolonizing Social Work Practice ne Secwepemculecw at the Kamloops campus. This course is delivered in person via face to face delivery and the successful applicant must be available to teach the course as scheduled on Thursdays at 1730 to 2020 from January 12 2025 to April 14 2026 with a two week exam period to follow.
SOCW 4540 Calendar Description
Students examine social workers roles and responsibilities in working with Indigenous people. The concept and process of decolonization is introduced and connected to contemporary stories community social work program initiatives and practices of Indigenous people. This course utilizes a gendered Indigenous perspective and explores strategies for reconciliation building relationships and practices within the social work profession.

Educational Objectives/Learning Outcomes
1. Demonstrate a beginning understanding of the concept and process of decolonization as it relates to contemporary social work practice with Indigenous people.
2. Identify social workers roles in colonization including the destruction of cultures languages and economies along with mainstream assumptions associated with social work practice;
3. Demonstrate an awareness of holistic social work practice within diverse Indigenous cultures community contexts and languages including their expression in arts music and healing methods;
4. Analyze Indigenous initiatives for their decolonizing potential such as land economic culture art language restoration and their relationship to social work practice;
5. Apply an Indigenous perspective to understanding the concept of gender in cultures and languages and how this relates to a decolonization approach to social work practice.
6. Describe the similarities and differences in the roles responsibilities and issues between Indigenous and non-Indigenous social workers who utilize a decolonizing approach; and
7. Demonstrate an understanding of community traditional-based (language and culture) healing and identify strategies that can be used for reconciliation.

ABOUT THOMPSON RIVERS UNIVERSITY
Thompson Rivers University (TRU) campuses are on the traditional lands of the Tkemlúps te Secwépemc (Kamloops campus) and the Texelc (Williams Lake campus) within Secwépemculucw the traditional and unceded territory of the Secwépemc people. Our region also extends into the territories of the Statimc Nlakapamux Nuxalk Tsilhqotin 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 Kamloops (from the Secwepemc word for this area: Tkemlups 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 28500 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 TRUs 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 100000 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.

THE TRU SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK AND HUMAN SERVICE
The School of Social Work and Human Service offers a wide range of academic programs to approximately 250 students on two campuses and more than 100 students through Open Learning. Programs include: Bachelor of Social Work Degree the Human Service Diploma Education Assistant and Community Support Certificate (offered at both the Kamloops and Williams Lake campuses) the Social Service Worker Certificate (offered through Open Learning) and the Human Service Diploma (offered through Open Learning). The School also has plans to offer a Master of Social Work degree.
In accordance with the universitys equity plan members of the following designated groups: Indigenous peoples persons with disabilities women and members of visible minorities are encouraged to apply and self-identify.

Doctoral degree with a master of social work (MSW) or an Indigenous MSW preferred. MSW with specialized lived expertise and/or theoretical content knowledge will also be considered. Candidates with significant experience in the course content and with an undergraduate degree in social work and a masters level degree in a related discipline may be considered.
Lived experience as an Indigenous person is required knowledge and kindship ties from within Secwepemculecw is preferred.
Successful teaching experience in post-secondary institutions preferred.
A minimum of five years of related social work practice experience with Indigenous communities is required.
Excellent organizational interpersonal and communication skills.
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).