I. General Information

1. Course Title:
Introduction to Human Services

2. Course Prefix & Number:
HSER 1102

3. Course Credits and Contact Hours:

Credits: 3

Lecture Hours: 3

Lab Hours: 0

4. Course Description:

This course will introduce students to human service values, theories, and skills. Students will learn about the person-centered approach, current trends in human services, client strengths/needs/barriers, and multicultural considerations in the helping relationship. Students will also explore career opportunities in human services.

5. Placement Tests Required:

Accuplacer (specify test):

No placement tests required

Score:

6. Prerequisite Courses:

There are no prerequisites for this course.

9. Co-requisite Courses:

There are no corequisites for this course.

II. Transfer and Articulation

III. Course Purpose

1. Program-Applicable Courses – This course is required for the following program(s):

Human Services AAS
Human Services Technician Diploma

IV. Learning Outcomes

1. College-Wide Outcomes

College-Wide Outcomes/Competencies	Students will be able to:
Demonstrate written communication skills	Complete reflection papers to analyze personal beliefs and biases
Apply abstract ideas to concrete situations	Identify personal and professional values relevant to human services
Discuss/compare characteristics of diverse cultures and environments	Describe how the human service profession intersects with diverse populations

2. Course Specific Outcomes - Students will be able to achieve the following measurable goals upon completion of the course:

• Explore the history of and current issues in human services
• Identify various roles and practice settings of the human service worker and differentiate these roles from other helping professionals;
• Describe basic elements of the social welfare system;
• Explore personal and professional values relevant to human services;
• Understand theories and practice frameworks in human services;
• Understand the person-centered approach;
• Describe the attitudes and skills needed to work effectively in human services;
• Understand the importance of ethical practice in human services; and
• Explore client and community issues relevant to human services.

V. Topical Outline

Listed below are major areas of content typically covered in this course.

1. Lecture Sessions

1. An Introduction to Human Services
• Defining Human Services
• Themes and Purposes of Human Services
• The Human Service Profession
2. The Human Service Professional
• Characteristics of Human Service Professionals
• Human Service Roles
• Practice Settings
• Personal and Professional Values
• Scope of Practice
3. History of and Current Issues in Human Services
• Historical Approaches
• Current Issues and Approaches
• Community Programs and Services
4. Human Services and Ethical Practice
• Ethical Standards of Human Services Professional
5. Multicultural Dimensions of Helping
• Introduction to a Multicultural Context
6. Introduction to Theories and Frameworks in Human Services
• Person Centered Approach
• Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
• Strength Based Perspective
• Systems Theory
• Person in Environment/Ecological Model
• Stages of Change
7. The Helping Process
• Introduction to the General Intervention Model
• Introduction to Helping Skills
8. The Client
• Person First Language
• Understanding Client Problems
• Clients as Individuals, Groups, and Populations
• Barriers and Supports to Accessing Services
• Self-Determination
9. Working in the Human Service Field
• Working within the System
• Challenges in Day-to-Day Human Service Work
• Promoting Change
• Agency Culture
10. Human Services Today
• Settings for Human Service Delivery
• Technology in Human Services
• Trends in Human Services