Fall / Winter 2013-2014 Calendar - St. Francis Xavier University

DIPLOMA & CERTIFICATE PROGRAMSDIPLOMA IN INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY STUDIES (ONLINE)The Diploma in Intellectual Disability Studies is a professional / personal development non-credit opportunity forindividuals who have some training and / or experience working or living with people who have intellectual disabilities.This online program builds on the knowledge and skills participants already possess regarding community-building andhuman care (Winner of the 2012 Award of Excellence from Canadian Association of University Continuing Education).The focus of this five course distance education program is a holistic approach to the needs of persons with intellectualdisabilities with emphasis on building community, fostering spirituality, and celebrating individual giftedness.Participants are required to take part in weekly online discussions with the instructor and course participants. Theprogram has a limited enrollment and each 12-week course is offered on a cyclical schedule. The program can becompleted in 2.5 years. Upon completion of the 5 courses participants will receive a professional development Diplomain Intellectual Disability Studies.INDS 110Foundations of Disability andCaregivingA. EscraderCOURSE DATES DESCRIPTIONSeptember 16 toDecember 6, 2013INDS 120Relationships, Advocacy, andVisionA. EscraderINDS 130Human DevelopmentJ. SumarahINDS 140Building CommunityM. HryniukINDS 150PracticumD. LeuschnerJanuary 20 – April 11, 2014September 16 – December 6,2013January 20 – April 11, 2014Open AccessTuition: $500 per course + textsCourses are also offered independently for interest (excluding the practicum).35This course provides a foundation in the history andevolution of the concept of disability in the West, fromsocio-cultural and medical perspectives. It also examinessocial, economic, and political policy approaches and howthey have been used to care for, label, or control peoplewith disabilities. The topics are explored through the lensof intellectual disability, but also have general relevance forall disabilities.This course focuses on enduring questions andcontemporary issues related to building relationship andcommunity together with people who have intellectualdisabilities. This course takes the position that having adisability is not so much an individual problem or deficit asit is a socially- and culturally-mediated phenomenon.The purpose of this course is to introduce students to thefield of human development and to persons withintellectual disabilities. A critical examination of a numberof issues related to development will shed light on currentpractices in human services. This course will focus oninsights, challenges, and opportunities related to thecognitive/physical, social/emotional, and spiritual/moralaspects of development and persons with intellectualdisabilities.A spiritual approach is used to examine topics such asunderstanding self/understanding others, spirituality andrelationships, and building inclusive communities.The intent of the practicum is to provide an opportunity forlearners to apply to the work or home setting thestrategies and theories learned in the first four courses.The specific focus of the practicum is to be determined inconsultation with the practicum advisor.