4.5 Complementary Studies

  1. Complementary Studies is a collection of non-social work courses that provides students with opportunities to gain general knowledge of people and nature, develop analytical and critical thinking and communication skills, and explore the intersections of social, political, and economic elements in society. The six learning objectives of the Complementary Studies guide the selection of the chosen disciplines listed in Table 1 Complementary Studies.

  2. The approved list of courses for each learning objective is maintained by the Office of the Associate Dean, Undergraduate Programs, of the School of Social Work. The course list is available at www.mun.ca/socialwork/programs/undergraduate. Updates of approved or removed courses will happen in consultation with the appropriate committee(s) responsible for undergraduate curriculum.

  3. Most of the approved courses do not require pre-requisites or co-requisites. Listed courses are subject to change and availability.

  4. Students are required to successfully complete Complementary Studies courses as part of the admission requirement for the First and Second Degree programs.

  5. Once admitted to the First Degree program, students successfully complete Complementary Studies courses in order to fulfill the general education course requirement.

  6. Students in the First Degree program are permitted to use approved courses listed on the Social Work website for degree regulations subsequent to their year of entry to the Bachelor of Social Work Degree.

  7. The number of courses students select for each Learning Objective in order to meet the admission requirements and the First Degree program of study requirements is outlined in Admissions Regulations for the School of Social Work and Program Regulations, respectively.

Table 1 Complementary Studies

The Six Learning Objectives for Complementary Studies Courses

Approved Disciplines

Specific course numbers for each discipline are found at www.mun.ca/socialwork/programs/undergraduate.

Learning Objective One

Students will develop university knowledge and skills in critical reading, writing, and analysis.

Critical Reading and Writing Courses (CRW) as approved by Senate for the B.A., or 3 credit hour transfer credits that are deemed by the Undergraduate Studies Committee or its designee to meet this learning objective.

Learning Objective Two

Students will develop foundational knowledge and appreciation for the various expressions and experiences of human and cultural diversity.

Anthropology, Communication Studies, Criminology, English, Folklore, Gender Studies, Humanities, Linguistics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Sociology, Sustainable Rural Communities, or 3 credit hour transfer credits that are deemed by the Undergraduate Studies Committee or its designee to meet this learning objective.

Learning Objective Three

Students will develop foundational knowledge and understanding of historical and contemporary experiences of Indigenous peoples of Canada.

Anthropology, Archaeology, English, Environment and Sustainability, Gender Studies, History, Humanities, Law and Public Policy, Linguistics, Political Science, Religious Studies, Sociology, Sustainable Rural Communities, or 3 credit hour transfer credits that are deemed by the Undergraduate Studies Committee or its designee to meet this learning objective.

Learning Objective Four

Students will develop foundational knowledge and awareness of the historical and contemporary realties of social inequities, imperialism, and racism.

Anthropology, Archaeology, Criminology, Gender Studies, Geography, History, Linguistics, Religious Studies, Sociology, or 3 credit hour transfer credits that are deemed by the Undergraduate Studies Committee or its designee to meet this learning objective.

Learning Objective Five

Students will develop foundational knowledge in governance, policy-making, and the justice system.

Anthropology, Criminology, Environment and Sustainability, Gender Studies, Humanities, Law and Public Policy, Linguistics, Political Science, Religious Studies, Sociology, Sustainable Rural Communities, or 3 credit hour transfer credits that are deemed by the Undergraduate Studies Committee or its designee to meet this learning objective.

Learning Objective Six

Students will develop a critically reflective understanding of contemporary society (locally, nationally, and globally) and their place in it.

Anthropology, Archaeology, Criminology, English, Environment and Sustainability, Geography, History, Humanities, Philosophy, Political Science, Religious Studies, Social/Cultural Studies, Sociology, Sustainable Rural Communities, or 3 credit hour transfer credits that are deemed by the Undergraduate Studies Committee or its designee to meet this learning objective.

Courses may be offered at any of the Memorial University of Newfoundland Campuses and/or online. Specific course numbers for each discipline are found at www.mun.ca/socialwork/programs/undergraduate. For further information about course content refer to the appropriate Course Descriptions sections for the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences and for the Faculty of Science at the St. John's Campus; and the appropriate Course Descriptions sections for Grenfell Campus.