Old Dominion University

Introduction to Human Service

HMSV 341

Course Syllabus

Instructor: Amanda Szapkiw
Office Location: ED110
Online Office Hrs: Mon 8-12; Fri 5-6
Office Tel: 757-839-2120
Email: / Day and Time Class Meets:
Online via Blackboard
Synchronous sessions:
Thursday, 7p.m. EST

A Message from the Instructor to the Learners:

Welcome to Introduction to Human Service. I am excited to embark on this adventure with you as we learn about the Human Service profession. In this course, we will be exploring the history and current trends in the profession, the helping process, the work with diverse clients, and the professional roles and concerns of the Human Service worker. We will also be learning about writing in APA format. I hope that this course assists you in furthering your professional identity and developing skills as a human service professional.

Before we look at all the details of the course, let me also take some time to tell you a little about my expectations for teaching and learning.

I never teach my pupils; I only attempt to provide the conditions in which they can learn.
– Albert Einstein

I do not view my role in this course as an authority or an expert who deposits information and then tests the material presented at the lower levels of learning As you will note, there are no tests in this course. My role in this course is that of a guide, a resource, a facilitator, and a servant. I view you as an active participant learner who will take responsibility for learning. In addition to the course goals I have set forth , my expectations is that you need to establish your own learning goals and then take a pro active role in mastering the course competencies described in the syllabus. My expectation is that you will always come to synchronous classes prepared and ready to interact with the material and one another. I also expect that you check Blackboard at least 3 times a week.

It is my hope that this course is not merely a college course that you attend for the purpose of a grade. My hope is that the only consequence of this course is not merely a grade. I hope that the information that you will learn in this course will be applicable in your future professional careers. I hope that intellectual, emotional, and social growth are a consequence of this course for each of you.

You’re welcome to contact me via e-mail, telephone, or in-person. I will primarily use Blackboard and e-mail to communicate with each of you, although I sometimes find telephone call or in-office visits helpful. Although I keep office hours, I encourage you to make an appointment to ensure that I am available.

If questions or concerns arise, contact me anytime (by e-mail, phone, in person, etc.). I am open to you as learners to be open with me about what you need , what’s working, and what’s not working. I value respect and will expect that all interactions will be conducted in a respectful manner.

Sincerely,

Amanda Szapkiw

Syllabus Table of Contents

I. Course Description 3

II. Course Purpose 3

III. Course Objectives and Critical Competencies 3

IV. Course Procedures and Structures 4

Blackboard Components 5

Communication 6

IV. Course Readings 7

Required Texts: 7

V. Course Evaluation 7

Summary of Evaluated Course Requirements: 8

Grading Scale: 8

Late Submission/Delinquent Participation Policy: 8

VI. Course Schedule 10

Module1, Week 1: 10

Module 2, Week 2 and 3: 11

Module 3, Week 4 and 5: 12

Module 4, Week 6 and 7: 13

Module 5, Week 8 and 9: 14

Module 6, Week 10 and 11: 15

Module 7, Week 12 and 13: 16

Module 8, Week 14 and 15 17

Final Exam 18

Appendix A: Descriptions of Evaluated Course Requirements 19

1. Bibliography 20

2. Professional or Agency Interview 22

4. Prevention/Intervention Paper and Presentation 24

5. Self-exploration / Self-care Paper 26

6. Online Participation/ Discussion Board 27

7. Extra Credit Options: 29

Appendix B: 29

General Course and University Policies 29

Use of Technology 30

Academic Integrity/Honors Pledge 32

Accommodating Students with Special Learning Needs 32

Responsibilities, Expectations, and Interaction 32

Human Service Major and Minors 33

I. Course Description

You will learn about human service, the helping process, and the role and function of the human service professional. You will be exposed to local and state human service facilities. This is a required course in the curriculum for Human Service majors and minors. In order to participate in this class, you must be of junior standing or have permission from the instructor.

II. Course Purpose

The purpose of this course is to examine the broad range of service and functions of the human service professional in his or her workplace. You will become knowledgeable about the many roles and functions of the human service professional, gain an understanding of the types of agencies where human service professionals are employed, and be exposed to an overview of the human service profession. The course will help you understand important issues related to the development of effective human service and assist students in seeing the importance of ethical, professional, legal, and multicultural issues in the human service profession. This course is the first course in your educational career to become a professional in the human service field.

III. Course Objectives and Critical Competencies

Students will:

·  Gain an understanding of the human service program.

·  Examine the history and evolution of the human service profession (Standard 11a,b,c,d).

·  Understand the ethical, legal, and political issues that affect the human service profession (Standard 11c,d,e,f; Standard 13 k,l).

·  Understand the ethical codes and practice the process of ethical decision making (Standard 19 h).

·  Identify professional skills and attitudes necessary for effective human service workers (Standard 11f, g; Standard 13 m).

·  Identify the various roles and work settings of the human service profession and distinguish between the various kinds of professionals in the human service fields (Standard 11a,b).

·  Understand models, theories, and skills of the human service profession (Standard 13 a, d).

·  Understand the change process and demonstrate how to facilitate change in clients. (Standard 13 a,b,c,d).

·  Learn about case management techniques and examine how case management is used at varying social service agencies (Standard 13 a,b,c,d).

·  Identify the diverse populations served and needs addressed by the human service professional (Standard 13 b,g,h).

·  Develop attitudes and skills necessary to define, assess, and respond to the needs of diverse populations (Standard 13 b,e,g,h,i).

·  Define basic concepts of systemic interaction in groups, families, and social systems and discuss how such knowledge can be applied to make change occur in systems (Standard 12 b,c,d,e,g,h,i,j,k).

·  Develop a professional development and self-case plan as a human service worker (Standard 20 a,b,c,d,e)

IV. Course Procedures and Structures

This class is conducted online via Blackboard. We will gather together once in each module to engage in discussion about reading, research, and other topics at hand. As the instructor, I will construct the structure for our learning experience and will provide meaningful guidance and feedback throughout the course; however, learning in this course will also occur as you engage with the materials and with one another. Each student is expected to read the materials and be prepared to contribute significantly to asynchronous discussion board discussions and synchronous class discussion.

To begin this course, log onto Blackboard and begin the course by reading the Course Welcome.” Then, proceed to the “Course Modules.” Start with Module 1. Completing a module is as easy as 1,2,3…

This course is divided into 8 modules (2 weeks each) consisting of the following 3 components:

1.  Module Commentary –At the beginning of every module, I will provide commentary to overview the content of the module, state the objective for the modules, and outline the learning activities contained in the module.

2.  Module Assignments – In each module, I provide an assignments section. In this section, a checklist is provided for the Module Reading, the Module Learning Activities, the Module Discussion Board, and the Module Projects. On selected weeks, the SafeAssign submission for projects will be found in this section. This section will also inform you of synchronous class meetings.

  1. Module Reading - Your reading assignments will be primarily in your textbooks, but may also include additional reading found in this Blackboard area.
  2. Module Reading Quizzes- In each module you will find a 5 question reading quiz. Questions will come from your reading assignments and weekly learning units. These will assit you with the final exam.
  3. Module Learning Activities- Learning activities such as podcasts, case study videos, tutorials, PowerPoints, internet links, etc. will be provided to enhance your understanding of the material that you are assigned to read. The learning activities are located in the Learning Activities section of the module; some of the activities will be part of your graded participation.
  4. Module Discussion Board - You will need to participate in online discussions that will be conducted in Blackboard's Discussion Board. This is a graded course requirement. Use these discussions as an opportunity to confirm your understandings, reflect on your learning, and ask questions if you encountered any “muddy” points in the reading assignment. Use it to connect with your classmates.
  5. Module Projects - There are four main assessment tasks in this course: (a) a webibliography, (b) an Human Service professional or agency interview, (c) a prevention/ intervention paper and presentation, (d) a community resource guide, and a self-care and professional development plan.

3.  Module Learning Materials- In each module in the Module Learning Activities Section, you will find interactive learning activities including listening to as podcasts, watching case study videos, completing tutorials, perusing internet links, and more. Some of the activities will be part of your graded participation.

Blackboard Components

Component / Description
Announcements / Announcements are posted by the course instructor to highlight important issues that pertain to the course.
Faculty / The faculty section provides contact and professional information about the course instructor and the HMSV faculty.
Course Welcome/ Start Here / The course welcome section provides an introduction to the course. Read this before beginning the course.
Course Schedule / The course schedule section contains a detailed plan of the course topics, readings, and activities. It is the same as the course schedule contained in this syllabus.
Syllabus / This syllabus section contains the syllabus, a detailed document about the course with topics to be covered, required reading and projects, completion dates, and evaluation methods.
Course Modules / The course modules are explained above. This is where you will send the majority of your time on Blackboard.
Discussion Board / The discussion board is the place where weekly online discussions will be held. Discussion board is made up of 'forums' - folders containing messages on a particular subject. As a learner, you can add threads, a series of messages about the same topic, to contribute to the discussions. The following forums are located in discussion board:
Instructor’s Circle - The Instructor's Circle is the place to post questions or comments for the professors that might benefit the class as a whole.
Student Connection - The student connection is an area specifically designed formotivation, support, socialization, and other conversation with your peers.
Social Webmarking - As you find interesting websites and articles that might prove valuable to others in the class, please post them here. I have also used delicious in the past for courses, please let me know if you are interested.
8 Content Forums – Each module has a related discussion forum that you will be expected to participate in on a weekly basis. Discussion questions are provided for each forum.
Assignment Forums - Each assignment has it’s own forum. Upon completion of your project, please share your research and knowledge with your peers by posting your completed assignment in the appropriate forum.
iTunesU / This section provides a link to iTunesU. Various course lectures may be found on iTunesU that can be downloaded onto you ipod or other mp3 player.
Adobe Connect / This link takes you to the meeting place for synchronous classes. Please see schedule for times and dates.
Resources / The resource section includes additional material that may be helpful to your completion of the course. Media downloads, links, tutorials, writing resources, and HMSV program resources are all folders located in the resource section.

Communication

Blackboard serves as the virtual classroom environment for this course. As such, it is important that you log into Blackboard as least twice throughout the week, since waiting until the weekend will impede your learning in this course particularly when we’re engaged in online discussion. Furthermore, you’re encouraged to post procedural questions and comments in Blackboard as your fellow learners may share the same concerns. Outside of Blackboard, you’re welcome to contact me via e-mail, telephone, or in-person. I will primarily use Blackboard and e-mail to communicate with each of you, although I find the occasional telephone call or in-office visit to be quite helpful.

If questions or concerns arise, contact me anytime (by e-mail, phone, in person, etc.). I believe that every problem can be solved (or at least made better) if we communicate openly and honestly about it and put our heads together to brainstorm possible solutions. But I need you to tell me what’s working, what’s not working, and how we can make things better for you as soon as you detect a problem.

IV. Course Readings

Required Texts:

Neukrug, E. (2008). Theory, practice, and trends in human service: An introduction to an emerging profession (4th ed.). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole.

American Psychological Association (2001). Publication manual of the American

Psychological Association (5th. ed.). Washington, DC: Author.