HUSR - Human Services
Alfred State courses are grouped into the following sections:
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This senior project course is designed to provide students with supervised work experience in human services agencies. In addition, students participate in a weekly class that combines the principle of small group dynamics with the acquired skills, knowledge and experience that students have obtained from their field experience. Students produce a final project and a portfolio to document learning. Students should consult the Practicum Pre-requisites listed in the Human Services program description section in the college catalog.
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This course is designed to increase knowledge of alcoholism and alcohol abuse. The disease concept of alcoholism will be explained, as well as the physiological, psychological, and sociological impact of alcohol on the individual. Consequences of alcohol abuse on the family and society will be examined.
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This course is intended to provide students with the basic skills necessary to counsel individuals and families with substance abuse problems. Through lecture and assigned readings, students will be educated on the different models of treatment that are currently being followed, as well as specific techniques for effective intervention at all levels of care. Basic tools for assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning and behavior change strategies will be discussed.
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This course is designed for students specializing in the field of chemical dependency treatment, and will focus on the special issues, problems and treatment dilemmas in the field of alcoholism and substance abuse counseling. A significant portion of class time will be devoted to ethical decision making and clarifying healthy professional boundaries. Through lecture, assigned readings, group presentations and class discussions, students will develop an increased awareness and understanding of the multiplicity of problems potentially coexisting with the presenting substance problem.
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A course designed to give students an understanding and working knowledge of the human services profession: its goals and objectives, its structure and organization, its client population. An emphasis will be placed on the generalist approach to human services.
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A course designed to help students understand and apply the basic concepts, principles, and issues involved in domestic violence. Special attention will be given to biological, psychological, and sociological perspectives. The course work will focus on causes, identifications, types, reporting, consequences, treatments, laws, legal remedies, interim safety, and prevention of child abuse, spousal abuse, and elder abuse. The complex relationship between external factors, i.e., alcohol and other substances, and violence at home will be examined.
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A course that allows students who have successfully completed a previous course in Human Services to continue study in that subject. A student may contract for one to four credit hours. However, directed study may be contracted by a student only with the approval of the directing instructor and the department chairperson.
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Major issues related to the field of human services are discussed in this course. Emphasis is placed on the ethical standards within the field of Human Services. Students are expected to develop the necessary skills, values and knowledge to enhance their ability to gain employment and advance within the human service profession.
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A student may contract for an independent study through an arrangement with an instructor who agrees to direct such a study. The student will submit a plan acceptable to the instructor and to the department chairperson. The instructor and student will confer regularly regarding the process of the study.
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This course is an upper level human services methods course focusing on comparative major theories and methods of community organizing with applications in urban, suburban, transitional and rural communities. It provides a framework for assessment, and intervention with regard to the structures and processes of neighborhoods, communities, and organizations as they influence and are influenced by the many stakeholders in the human services arena. It explores the potential for the use of technology in organizing communities.
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This course examines the evolution of American social problems and the response of the social welfare policy systems and programs at the national, state, regional and local levels. A basic framework for comparison with international social welfare systems will also be provided. The course will focus on the impact of social policy on the delivery of human services and will emphasize individual communication skills, research and analysis of social welfare policy. Students will engage in debates, letter writing, and other class presentations.
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This course will provide students with the tools needed to be successful with proposal writing, program and strategic planning, fund raising and institutional advancement. Specific areas to be addressed will include how to identify appropriate funding sources, how to market and organize charitable fundraising events and campaigns, how to conduct and interpret needs assessment, how to complete applications for funding assistance, and how to respond to requests for proposals from public and private resources.
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This course in case management will familiarize students with various approaches used by human services professionals to meet the service needs of the client. The use of case management with children and families, elderly, chronically mentally ill, developmental and physically disabled, and those in health care settings will be investigated. Approaches used in crisis management will be compared with those used in chronic conditions. Skills in case management will be demonstrated including networking, goal setting, recording, case monitoring, advocacy, and outcome evaluation.
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This seminar course is taken concurrently with a structured, supervised work experience in a human service agency. Students must successfully complete a minimum of 400 clock hours of work in human services management at an approved human services agency. In addition, students participate in this weekly seminar that synthesizes theoretical knowledge and didactic learning with the acquired skills, knowledge, and experience that the students have obtained through their field experience. The internship may be at distant locations and taken full-time for a semester.
