Community Settlement Services

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Courses - January 2025

Level 1

Course details

College Reading & Writing Skills
COMM1085

Description: This course introduces students to the reading, writing, and critical thinking skills needed for academic and workplace success. Students will analyse a variety of texts and apply the steps of planning, writing, and revising to produce writing that meets the expectations of selected audiences and purposes. The course prepares students for college-level writing tasks, research, and documentation by asking them to produce clear, informed, and purposeful documents relevant to both academic and professional contexts.
  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Conestoga 101
CON0101

Description: This self-directed course focuses on introducing new students to the supports, services, and opportunities available at Conestoga College. By the end of this course, students will understand the academic expectations of the Conestoga learning environment, as well as the supports available to ensure their academic success. Students will also be able to identify on-campus services that support their health and wellness, and explore ways to get actively involved in the Conestoga community through co-curricular learning opportunities.
  • Hours: 1
  • Credits: 0
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Population Migration, Displacement, and Immigration
SOCS1430

Description:

This course prepares students for a broader understanding of newcomers to Canada by examining current population migration, displacement, and immigration trends. Through case studies, group discussions, presentations and lectures, students will explore the numerous reasons that cause individuals, families, and groups to leave their place of origin. Specifically, students will focus on how these factors shape the diverse newcomer experience.

  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Introduction to Immigration and Refugee Legislation
SOCS1440

Description:

This course introduces students to current immigration and refugee legislation at the federal, provincial, and local level. Students will consider how legislation creates the systemic context that directly affects newcomers' living conditions, entitlements to resources, and the process of settlement and integration. Case studies, group discussions, presentations, and lectures will be used for students to develop an awareness of the complexities of settlement legislation in Canada.

  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Introduction to Services and Systems for Newcomer Populations
SOCS1450

Description:

This course introduces students to the systems and services for newcomer populations. Students will examine and explore contemporary issues at the federal, provincial, and local levels that inform the development of community systems and services.

  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Level 2

Course details

Safety in the Workplace
OHS1320

Description: This course focuses on developing awareness and skills for the student to safely manage and conduct him or herself within a variety of employment settings. Through the units of the course, participants will have the opportunity to enhance their understanding and knowledge of general Health and Safety guidelines, including WHMIS, Fire Safety and Workplace Violence. The unit on Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act will instruct the student on the requirements for Accessible Customer Service and Integrated Accessibility Standard Regulations. General information on Safe Driving, Privacy of Information and Hand Washing will be addressed as well. The course also provides participants with critical information regarding their insurance coverage (WSIB or other) while employed. As well as guidelines to follow in the event of an injury. Participants will receive a printable Record of Completion upon successful conclusion of this course, in order to demonstrate awareness of safe working practices to their employers.
  • Hours: 14
  • Credits: 1
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Understanding Trauma in Newcomer Populations
SOCS1460

Description:

This course provides a comprehensive examination of the scope and complexity of trauma in newcomer populations. Through a process of exploring theoretical perspectives, students will develop an understanding of defining, assessing, and supporting individuals, families, and groups within newcomer populations.

  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Non-discriminatory Practices in Settlement Services
SOCS1470

Description:

This course introduces students to principles and frameworks that shape non-discriminatory practices in settlement services. Through a lens of self-reflection and critical analysis, students will examine and develop non-discriminatory practices. The course will emphasize practical strategies for relationship-building, strength-based communication, and respectful interactions within settlement services.

  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Supportive Communication Strategies
SOCS1480

Description:

This course examines the key principles and skills of supportive communication strategies. Students will explore varied communication styles across diverse populations and their impact on interpersonal communication. With a focus on holistic approaches to communication, students will examine how both verbal and non-verbal communication contributes to building relationships and understanding the newcomer experience for the purpose of creating responsive programs and services. In addition, students will analyze the use of technology with newcomer populations.

  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Understanding System Integration
SOCS1490

Description:

This course will present students with existing community services and resources and the ways in which they complement each other to support newcomers. Through a lens of needs analysis and community development, students will be challenged to consider gaps in services and create socially innovative programs that address these gaps and reflect current community needs.

  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites: SOCS1450
  • CoRequisites:
Electives: General Education
Student must pass 1 Course(s), selected in the Student Portal from available course options

Level 3

Course details

Field Placement I (Community Settlement Services)
FPLT2520

Description:

This course will provide students with the opportunity to integrate theory and practice as emerging professionals in settlement services. Through intentional experiences that combine seminars, independent reflection, and practice learning, students will engage in field placement experiences across the community.

  • Hours: 252
  • Credits: 9
  • Pre-Requisites: OHS1320
  • CoRequisites:

Enhanced Legislation and Policy
SOCS2230

Description:

This course deepens student understanding of immigrant and refugee legislation and policy. Through case studies, group discussions, presentation, and lectures, students will critique and assess legislation and policy complexities of the settlement process in Canada and their impact on individuals, families, and groups.

  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites: SOCS1440
  • CoRequisites:

Trauma Informed and Anti-oppressive Practice
SOCS2240

Description:

This course examines the many traumas experienced by immigrants and refugees and their impact on the settlement process. With a view to developing empowering and engaging practices, students will create and assess anti-oppressive strategies that contribute to community development and a supportive settlement process. Through case studies, role play and simulation, students will develop practices that empower newcomers to find their voice to navigate the settlement services community.

  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Designing Responsive Programs and Services
SOCS2250

Description:

This course provides students with knowledge and skills for developing programs and services that respond to individual, family, and group needs. Through a combination of client strengths and needs, and available community resources, students will develop a plan to design responsive programs and services that support immigrants and refugees as they settle into their communities.

  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:
Electives: General Education
Student must pass 1 Course(s), selected in the Student Portal from available course options

Level 4

Course details

Professional Obligations and Ethical Decision Making
ETHS2010

Description:

This course focuses on professional practice of those working in settlement services. Through an examination of values, personal style, and professional obligations, students will develop an awareness of self as an essential component of supporting newcomers through the settlement process. Through simulation and role plays, students will examine the role of ethics in professional decision-making and develop skills in applying to situations faced by newcomer populations.

  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Field Placement II (Community Settlement Services)
FPLT2530

Description:

This course will expand students' practical experience in settlement services. Working with partnering community agencies, students will integrate theory with practice as they demonstrate initiative, professional decision-making, and responsive practices with newcomer populations. Students will collaborate with partnering agencies to strengthen relationships and make meaningful contributions.

  • Hours: 252
  • Credits: 9
  • Pre-Requisites: FPLT2520
  • CoRequisites:

Responsive System Navigation
SOCS2260

Description:

This course focuses on ways to support newcomers as they navigate the various systems in their settlement process. Students will examine the various systems and explore the connectedness between how newcomers' function within systems and the impacts systems have on them. They will critically analyze the newcomers' situation and develop responsive strategies to support newcomers as they successfully navigate systems.

  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Program and Service Coordination
SOCS2270

Description:

This course focuses on collaborative program and service coordination as essential supports for immigrants and refugees. Students will examine the benefits and challenges of system collaboration and develop effective strategies for professional collaboration among programs and services. With a view to supporting newcomer populations, they will develop, implement and evaluate skills related to managing relationships, resolving conflict and responding to issues that arise when carrying out community development work.

  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:
Electives: General Education
Student must pass 1 Course(s), selected in the Student Portal from available course options

Program outcomes

  1. Build relationships with individuals concerned with community settlement work to promote and understanding of the community sector
  2. Appraise strengths, resources, and assets of individuals, groups, and communities to assist in the promotion of social change
  3. Use creativity in the development of new, socially innovative services and programs that reflect current community needs
  4. Integrate social entrepreneurship skills and approaches within existing settlement services and community resources to foster positive change in the community
  5. Conduct oneself professionally, adhere to relevant legislation, commit to non-discriminatory practices, and consider the political, social, environmental and/or economic implications when fostering social change
  6. Align leadership strategies to manage relationships, resolve conflict and respond to issues that arise when doing community development work
  7. Develop and implement culturally responsive programs and services that are and respond to diverse needs and experiences of newcomers, immigrants and refugees
  8. Apply strategies and processes to facilitate empowerment with newcomer families to navigate the settlement services