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SOCWK 120RIntroduction to Social Work

Units
0.50
Faculty
Arts
Subject
Social Work

When it runs

  1. F24
  2. W25
  3. S25
  4. F25
  5. W26
  6. S26
  7. F26
  8. W27
  9. S27

Ran in 7 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled, 4 lecture sections. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.

This course provides an overview of the social work profession and its place in the social welfare system in Canada. Students will examine Indigenous and Eurocentric histories, worldviews, values, and ethics while considering approaches to practice with individuals, families, and communities. Students will learn to think critically about various fields of social work practice as they impact marginalized and disadvantaged social groups.

Prerequisites

None listed.

Antirequisites

None listed.

Leads to

Fall 2026 sections

Enrolment from UW Open Data, which can trail Quest by up to two days. Instructors and rooms: Schedule of Classes.
SectionClassEnrolledMeets
LEC 001686941 / 50T 14:30–17:20
LEC 002688032 / 50Th 14:30–17:20
LEC 081686878 / 80Online or by arrangement

Winter 2027 sections

Enrolment from UW Open Data, which can trail Quest by up to two days. Instructors and rooms: Schedule of Classes.
SectionClassEnrolledMeets
LEC 00165070 / 50TTh 11:30–12:50
LEC 08165490 / 80Online or by arrangement
LEC 701243743 / 9999Online or by arrangement
LEC 702245151 / 9999Online or by arrangement

Reviewed on UW Flow

71% liked it84% easy80% useful

From 85 ratings and 21 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.

  • Took this course online in Spring 2026 with Peter. Grades breakdown: 25% for weekly reflection activities (100-150 words per question), 20% for chapter quizzes, 30% for three group case studies, 25% for group info-poster and write-up. The most challenging part if the case studies and poster because it gets rough if you are stuck with bad group members. Otherwise, the course is alright - gives you an overview and general history of the social work profession in Canada.

    Aug 2026 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Very good course.

    Apr 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • This class is BORING. Taught by Peter Hymmen (I like him as a person but I think I'm just someone who needs engagement, I cant just sit and listen to someone talk for 2 hours) his lectures are long and he rarely gets through a whole lecture in an entire class. The textbook is useless (the quizzes are based off the textbook, but it's also open book and online.) There are 3 group case studies, a group info poster, online quizzes, and reflection activities. Although it's boring, it is an easy pass. The lecture content has nothing to do with the assignments. He often will promise in class time to work on assignments and then doesn't give it.

    Nov 2024 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • i had peter as my prof and he is such a gem, the course load was very manageable to me (weekly online quizzes, personal reflections, 3 group case studies and a group info poster)

    Nov 2024 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • it was kinda boring but the online ver was pretty straightforward just complete your modules + quizzes
    prof was sharon roberts

    Jun 2024 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this

Discussed on r/uwaterloo

4 posts and comments in 4 threads mention SOCWK 120R, October 2017 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.

Fall 2023

Fall 2018

Spring 2018

Fall 2017

Any way to disable UWCourseLinker from posting? 16 points, 26 comments

“posting a reply to my comment I find the bot annoying.”

u/Jackhofmann: “… SOC 490R SOC 498 SOC 499A SOC 499B SOC 700 SOC 701 SOC 712 SOC 725 SOC 740 SOC 784 SOC 789 SOCWK 120R SOCWK 220R SOCWK 221R SOCWK 222R SOCWK 300R SOCWK 301R SOCWK 321R SOCWK 356R SOCWK 398R SOCWK 399R SOCWK 490R SPAN 101 SPAN 102 SPAN 201A SPAN 217 SPAN 223W SPAN 260W SPAN 301A …”

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Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026

Calendar versions

Undergraduate Calendar