Robert S. Wright, MSW, RSW

Teaching Philosophy and Practice:  Over the past 20 years, though my primary professional identity has been that of social worker, I have taught at the secondary, undergraduate and graduate level.  My teaching has been mainly confined to social sciences and education, though I have demonstrated my capacity to instruct in statistics within the context of undergraduate social science research courses.  Specifically I have taught courses in sociology, research methods in the social sciences, human growth and development, youth care theory, policy, and have coached students in writing major papers in their graduate project seminar.  Some of these courses are listed below with links to syllabi when available:

• SOCI345 - Fundamentals of Social Research II:  Students applied the research concepts they learned previously in the design and implementation of a small research project.  This course emphasized practical skills in research and the use of various statistical applications to analyze results.  I was asked by the chair of the department to focus considerable attention on the instruction and application of relevant statistical operations during this class.  Taught at Atlantic Union College; Winter intersession 2001/2002.

 

• SK500 - Human Growth and Development:  "This course focuses on theories pertaining to the social context of identity and personality development. Emphasis is placed on the evolution of these theories and how they help us to understand the human condition and Social Work practice.  Topics may include life span, ecological systems, contemporary psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioural, feminist, social constructionist and critical theories." (from WLU's website).  Taught at Wilfrid Laurier University; Fall of 2000.

 

• CHYS2211 - Research Methods in Child and Youth Study:  This course is designed to familiarize students with current research methodologies in the social sciences.  Emphasis is placed on the student’s ability to evaluate the quality and potential for application of research in the field of child and youth studies.  Taught at Mount Saint Vincent University; Winter 2010; Fall 2011; Winter 2012.C

 

• CHYS3320 - Youth Care: Theory and Issues:  This course is designed to introduce students to the particular developmental challenges facing adolescents, problematic issues that place youth at risk, and the roles and functions of youth care workers as supportive helping agents.  Taught at Mount Saint Vincent University; Fall 2009; Fall 2011. 

 

• CHYS4416 - Cultural Perspectives on Childhood and Adolescence:  A senior seminar devoted to examining childhood and adolescence in various countries.  Attention will be focused on cultural attitudes and values related to children and how these values are reflected in research and social policy for children and families.  Taught at Mount Saint Vincent University; Fall 2011.

 

• CHYS4420 - Youth Care: Approaches and Programme Development:  An examination of the essential components in care and treatment environments for youth and adolescents. Students will examine treatment interventions and programming for troubled adolescents and the professional role of the child and youth care workers in a variety of contexts. Taught at Mount Saint Vincent University; Winter 2012.

 

• CHYS4421 – Seminar in Child and Youth Research:  This course is a senior seminar directed to the critical examination of research related to the field of child and youth study. In it, students are encouraged to develop the ability to critically evaluate and apply research.  Taught at Mount Saint Vincent University; Winer 2011; Winter 2012.

 

• GEDU6140 - Graduate Project Seminar:  The course is designed to give students an opportunity to synthesize their learning in a final, major written work that demonstrates a sustained exploration of theory, research and practice. This work is approached from a critical, Afrocentric perspective in which the impact and relevance of the work to the history, experience and aspirations of African peoples is considered.  Taught at Mount Saint Vincent University; Summer 2008; Summer 2010. 

 

• EDUC 5553 Z4. - Trauma Informed Approaches to Mental Health:  An Africentric Perspective:  While promoting an understanding of theory, philosophy, and evidence-based and best practice approaches to complex trauma, this course focuses on the changing theoretical assumptions and the growth of new clinical perspectives in trauma-informed counselling. The course also offers practical and experiential classroom sessions for acquiring the learning and skills necessary for various stages of intervention with complex trauma. This course will include an Africentric perspective in its examination of key issues and approaches. This course is restricted to students in MEd Counselling and priority will be given to those who are completing their program. The course follows a seminar format and will cover a number of specialized areas important to counsellors.