This course introduces students to the role of human service professionals working in an urban environment. Students will learn about the historical context that led to the development of the various human service professions, with an emphasis on New York City. Other topics to be discussed include the value, knowledge, and skill base of the helping process, culturally competent work, and issues of social justice. Emphasis will be place on the relationships between social welfare policy, human need, and the provision of human services. A research assignment will give students an opportunity to explore a specific field practice within the urban environment.

Course Learning Outcomes:           

By the end of the class students will:

• gain a solid foundational understanding of the profession of Human Services to include the diverse settings, populations, and interventions available to the human services practitioner. (CSHSE Standards 12 and 13)
• discuss the importance of history in the development of the human services movement, including current trends, issues and controversies. (CSHSE Standard 11)
• become familiar with the nature of the human services field and the variety of theories that provide the foundation for the work. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the theoretical framework and concepts of human services practice. (CSHSE Standard 16)
• identify and understand strategies of human service delivery. (CSHSE Standard 13)
• identify social, economic, political and cultural factors within American society, which influence how human service problems are identified and how services and fields of practice are created to address these problems. Students will understand and explore approaches to social change, social movements, organizational policy and reform. (CSHSE Standard 11)
• explain the methods, skills, perspectives and values needed to work with people in a professionally ethical way. (CSHSE Standards 17 and18)

Course Learning Outcomes	National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Career Competency
Students will gain a solid foundational understanding of the profession of Human Services to include the diverse settings, populations, and interventions available to the human services practitioner.	Equity and Inclusion
Students will discuss the importance of history in the development of the human services movement, including current trends, issues and controversies.	Communication
Students will become familiar with the nature of the human services field and the variety of theories that provide the foundation for the work. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the theoretical framework and concepts of human services practice.	Critical Thinking
Students will identify and understand strategies of human service delivery.	Critical Thinking
Students will identify social, economic, political and cultural factors within American society, which influence how human service problems are identified and how services and fields of practice are created to address these problems.	Equity and Inclusion
Students will understand and explore approaches to social change, social movements, organizational policy and reform.	Critical Thinking
Students will explain the methods, skills, perspectives and values needed to work with people in a professionally ethical way	Equity and Inclusion