Course Number and Title:
HMS 121 Introduction to Human Services
Campus Location
- Georgetown
- Dover
- Wilmington
Prerequisites
Prerequisite: SSC 100 or concurrent
Course Credits and Hours
3 credit(s)
3 lecture hours/week
0 lab hours/week
Course Description
This course introduces the field of human services, historical foundations, professional skills and characteristics of helpers, potential career opportunities, client needs assessment areas, service provision models, and major functions of human services agencies. Students completing the course will be able to explain the foundations and scope of human services as well as exploring their potential place in the helping profession.
Additional Materials
Collegewide Program Manual
Disclaimer
Participation in community service learning is a requirement of this course.
Core Course Performance Objectives (CCPOs)
1. Understand one’s motivation for entering the human services field. (CCC 2; PGC 2, 7)
2. Analyze the characteristics, skills, values, and ethics of the effective human services professional as they relate to self. (CCC 1, 2; PGC 2, 6)
3. Understand how personal values and attitudes of the client and the worker influence the helping relationship. (CCC 1, 2; PGC 2, 5, 7)
4. Identify the types of agencies and the range of services and career opportunities found within human services systems. (CCC 2, 5; PGC 2, 3, 5, 6)
5. Describe the different types of client populations. (CCC 1, 2, 5; PGC 2, 4, 5)
6. Discuss contemporary concerns and prevention in human services. (CCC 1, 2, 5; PGC 2, 3, 4, 5)
7. Explain significant historical and legislative developments within the field of human services.(CCC 1, 2, 5; PGC 3)
8. Express one’s self in descriptive written form. (CCC 1, 2; PGC 1, 7)
See Core Curriculum Competencies and Program Graduate Competencies at the end of the syllabus. CCPOs are linked to every competency they develop.
Measurable Performance Objectives (MPOs)
Upon completion of this course, the student will:
- Understand one’s motivation for entering the human services field.
- Reflect on personal and professional motivation related to the field of human services.
- Analyze the characteristics, skills, values, and ethics of the effective human services professional as they relate to self.
- Define characteristics of effective human services workers.
- Analyze the characteristics of the effective human services professional as they relate to self.
- Define values, and explain why they are important to becoming an effective human services worker.
- Analyze values that are important to self and how they contribute to effectiveness as a human services worker.
- Describe skills that are important to the field of human services.
- Analyze the skills of the effective human services professional as they relate to self.
- Explain the importance of an understanding of and adherence to a professional code of ethics.
- Understand how personal values and attitudes of the client and the worker influence the helping relationship.
- Reflect on how personal values, experience, gender, culture, and socio-economic status affect the client and the worker in the helping relationship.
- Identify the types of agencies and the range of services and career opportunities found within human services systems.
- List human services agencies and their services that are available to include agency mission, client population, services delivery model, and expected outcomes.
- Identify career options that are relevant to the field of human services to include names and descriptions of each career, required level of education, the roles and responsibilities of the worker, and the clientele each helps.
-
Process exposure to agencies, services, and populations serviced in human services systems through participation in 6 hours of community service learning.
- Describe the different types of client populations.
- Describe different groups of client populations served by human service workers.
- Summarize the major needs and/or issues of the client populations served.
- Demonstrate an empathic awareness of clients.
- Discuss contemporary concerns and prevention in human services.
- Explain current problems, issues, and/or challenges that impact the client, service delivery, and the field of human services.
- Recognize the concept of prevention within the human services field.
- Explain significant historical and legislative developments within the field of human services.
- Place in chronological order significant historical and legislative developments within the field of human services.
- Define significant historical and legislative developments within the field of human services.
- Describe the National Organization for Human Services (NOHS) and explain its importance to the field of human services and to the human services student.
- Express one’s self in descriptive written form.
- Complete personal and professional reflections that relate to the field of human services.
Evaluation Criteria/Policies
The grade will be determined using the Delaware Tech grading system:
| 90-100 |
= |
A |
| 80-89 |
= |
B |
| 70-79 |
= |
C |
| 0-69 |
= |
F |
Students should refer to the
Catalog/Student Handbook for information on the Academic Standing Policy, the Academic Integrity Policy, Student Rights and Responsibilities, and other policies relevant to their academic progress.
Final Course Grade
Calculated using the following weighted average
|
Evaluation Measure
|
Percentage of final grade
|
|
Exams (Summative) (Equally Weighted)
|
45%
|
|
Bi-Weekly Journals (Summative) (Equally Weighted)
|
10%
|
|
Philosophy Paper/Autobiography (Summative)
|
10%
|
|
Formative Assignments (Service Learning, quizzes, discussion boards, case scenarios, class participation activities)
|
35%
|
|
TOTAL
|
100%
|
Program Graduate Competencies (PGCs are the competencies every graduate will develop specific to his or her major)
- Create and maintain effective and professional documents relevant to Human Services agencies.
- Interact ethically and professionally within the Human Services field.
- Apply information to identify client's strengths, weaknesses, and resources to create a treatment plan.
- Provide effective client services at an entry level by utilizing professional Human Services principles and practices.
- Establish effective working relationships within the Human Services arena.
- Apply basic management and leadership skills in Human Services environments, including time management, organization, and the ability to follow directions.
- Utilize feedback to assess the effect of oneself on Human Services outcomes and make adjustments accordingly.
Core Curriculum Competencies (CCCs are the competencies every graduate will develop)
- Apply clear and effective communication skills.
- Use critical thinking to solve problems.
- Collaborate to achieve a common goal.
- Demonstrate professional and ethical conduct.
- Use information literacy for effective vocational and/or academic research.
- Apply quantitative reasoning and/or scientific inquiry to solve practical problems.
Students in Need of Accommodations Due to a Disability
We value all individuals and provide an inclusive environment that fosters equity and student success. The College is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities. Students are encouraged to schedule an appointment with the campus Disabilities Support Counselor to request an accommodation needed due to a disability. The College's policy on accommodations for persons with disabilities can be found in the College's Guide to Requesting Academic Accommodations and/or Auxiliary Aids Students may also access the Guide and contact information for Disabilities Support Counselors through the Student Resources web page under Disabilities Support Services, or visit the campus Advising Center.