This course explores the complexities of the Human Services field, such as, the macro-mechanics of the service delivery system, the variety of professionals within the field, and the diversified population groups receiving specialized services. It provides the student with a historical perspective and it explores the societal values that served as a catalyst for the implementation of the policies that influence the delivery of human services.

The student will become better prepared to serve in any community with the knowledge of the various roles and functions of human service professionals and an understanding of the types of agencies and services they provide. The course will additionally address methods of influencing social change, professional values and ethics, the particular needs of at-risk populations, family and group dynamics, and community functioning.

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

No details available.

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (2)

Discussions are collaborative experiences. Therefore, the student will complete two Discussions in this course. In response to the provided prompt, the student will post one thread of at least 350 words for each Discussion. The student must then post 2 replies of at least 150 words to classmates’ threads. For each thread, the student must support his/her assertions with at least 1 scholarly citation in APA format. Any sources cited must have been published within the last five years. Acceptable sources include the textbook, the Bible, and other scholarly sources.

Resource Database Assignments (8)

The purpose of these assignments is to assist the student in becoming aware of and connected to the social service agencies in his/her community. This will help the student begin to develop a referral network which will be beneficial to his/her future clients. The student will research a minimum of three community agencies related to the specific population(s) listed for each assignment and fill in the columns in the provided Resource Database Template. By the end of the term, the student will have identified 24 community resource agencies.

Volunteer Experience Reflection Assignment

The student will volunteer for 4-5 hours at an agency in his/her community that provides direct services to a specific population in need (i.e., a shelter, camp, recreational center, food pantry, etc.) to affiliate them with the needs of the community. These hours can be completed in 1-2 sittings, but they must all be completed at the same agency. The student will then complete a four-page reflection paper in APA format to document the experience and connect it back to human services concepts discussed in this course.

Human Services Experience Interview and Career Exploration Presentation Assignment

This project will consist of an interview with a professional in the Human Services field and a reflection paper on the experience, connecting it to a desired future career in the Human Services field. The student will select a relevant agency where he/she might like to seek employment in the future. The student is to investigate, at minimum, the services provided, the population served, how a referral is received, and the length of time a client may receive services. An informational interview is to be conducted with the professional to gain insight into his/her work and educational background as well as to develop an understanding of the demands of the profession. For this project, the student will create a PowerPoint presentation based on the agency visited and the specific population served within that agency. The PowerPoint will include a minimum of 7 slides (the title and reference slides are not included in this count) with APA citations for source(s) on each content slide and a minimum of 4 scholarly sources. 

Quizzes (8)

Each quiz will cover the course material for the module in which it is assigned. Each quiz will be open-book/open-notes, contain 10 multiple-choice and true/false questions, and have a 20-minute time limit. Only one attempt is allowed for each quiz.