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Minor in Social Innovation

The fundamental goal of this Minor is to help students engage in the emergent field of social innovation, to see themselves as change-makers and leaders who introduce innovative, radical and sustainable ways of improving life for those living in marginalized, disadvantaged or peripheral circumstance and to change the world for the better.

The curriculum offers an interdisciplinary approach, draws on micro and macro analysis and recognizes academic and community expertise. A key aim is to create professional networks of peers and social innovators in fields of practice.

Administered by: School of Child and Youth Care

To receive this Minor, students must complete six (6) courses from the following curriculum:

Required courses (3):

  • CYC 550 Foundations of Social Innovation
  • CYC 560 Social Innovation in Practice
  • CYC 570 Social Innovation in Action

Plus three (3) of the following:
Choose any three courses on this list. The courses have been grouped into themes to facilitate an informed choice. Some courses have prerequisites. Child and Youth Care students must choose non-CYC courses.

Theme 1: Health and Well-Being

  • CLD 450 Indigenous Early Learning
  • CYC 101 Intro to Child and Youth Care
  • DST 503 Current Topics in Disability I
  • FNY 400 Selected Topics in Food Security
  • FNY 510 Indigenous Food Systems in Canada
  • MWF 325 Birth and its Meanings
  • SWP 903 Crisis Intervention
  • SWP 908 Social Group Work
  • SWP 925 Strong Helpers' Teachings
  • SWP 933 Indigenous Health and Well Being

Theme 2: Adversity and Rights

Theme 3: Community Development

  • DST 506 Principles and Practices of Accessibility
  • FNY 407 Community Development and Food Security
  • FNY 408 Urban Food Security
  • INT 912 Community Development: International Field Experience
  • INT 917 Interprof. Ed. for Community Development
  • SWP 939 Art and Social Transformation

Theme 4: Diversity

  • DST 504 Mad People's History
  • SWP 900 Race and Ethnicity
  • SWP 926 Critical Practice with Queer Populations

Theme 5: Global Issues

  • CLD 448 Childhood in a Global Context
  • FNY 403 Food Security Concepts and Principles
  • FNY 404 Food Policy and Programs for Food Security
  • SWP 928 International Social Work

Theme 6: Leadership and Innovation

  • CYC 601 Social Research Methods
  • DST 727 Leadership Practices for Changing Times
  • SWP 927 Advocacy in Social Work
  • SWP 938 Innovative Organizing in Precarious Times

Please see Senate Policy 2 (opens in new window) , Section 7.4 for further information about Minors.