Human Services Associate's Degree

This course covers the basic concepts of essential communication skills needed in business to interact/work effectively with individuals and/or groups. Special areas of emphasis include solving problems, developing a customer service strategy, coping with challenging customers, increasing customer retention and surveying customer satisfaction.

Prerequisite: none

Course ID: B119
Credits: 4

This course teaches students basic to advanced computer concepts and skills, including creating and modifying Word documents, designing databases, spreadsheet creation and analysis, using the Internet and E-Commerce tools, and creating presentations with enhanced features and web tools.

Prerequisite: none

Course ID: D132
Credits: 3

This course is intended to help students develop their ability to write and express ideas in an organized, unified, coherent manner that reflects an appropriate awareness of purpose and audience. Through writing, reading, and discussion, students will learn to synthesize their thoughts as they communicate more effectively. Course concepts are applied to essays, research projects, and specialized writing. Regular writing and revision will improve students' grammar, punctuation and usage skills.

Prerequisite: Passing grade in Reading and Writing Strategies or placement determined by STEP assessment score.

Course ID: G124
Credits: 4

The course will introduce students to basic models and theories of the communication process. Students will learn about a variety of elements involved in communication. They will also explore how factors such as race, ethnicity, age, socioeconomic status, and gender influence communication. Students will focus on developing an awareness of the effects of various types of communication on themselves and others. They will also develop practical skills for improving their ability to communicate in personal, social and professional contexts. Specific topics will include perception, self-concept, verbal and non-verbal communication, effective listening and communicating in culturally diverse settings.

Prerequisite: Passing grade in Reading and Writing Strategies or placement determined by STEP assessment score.

Course ID: G141
Credits: 4

This course provides students with the skills to achieve mastery of algebraic terminology and applications including, but not limited to, real number operations, variables, polynomials, integer exponents, graphs, factoring, quadratic equations, and word problems.

Prerequisite: Passing grade in Foundations of Math or placement determined by STEP assessment score.

Course ID: G233
Credits: 4

An overview of the juvenile justice system including the nature and extent of delinquency, explanatory models and theories, the juvenile justice system, juvenile court practices and procedures. The role of law enforcement and juvenile correctional officer will be explored as well as juvenile training schools, probation and aftercare treatment.

Prerequisite: Introduction to Criminal Justice or Introduction to Human Services

Course ID: J213
Credits: 4

The course will focus on the physical, psychological, and sociological aspects of drug and alcohol abuse. Treatment and prevention of abuse will be explored. In addition, policy implications of drug use and the criminal justice system response will be analyzed. An overview of the theories of use, drug business, and drug law enforcement will be explored. Such recent developments as "club drugs," inhalants, herbal stimulants, and designer drugs will also be discussed.

Prerequisite: Introduction to Criminal Justice or Introduction to Human Services

Course ID: J250
Credits: 4

The course is designed to study the personal and professional characteristics necessary for obtaining and maintaining suitable employment. The student will assemble a complete job-seeking portfolio including his/her resume and references, letters of application and appreciation, documentation of work and educational history, and demonstration of skills through examples of student work. The course includes an in-depth study of self-marketing approaches, job interviewing techniques and professionalism as well as participation in a mock interview.

Prerequisite: none

Course ID: E242
Credits: 2

This course will provide students with a general understanding of basic methodologies, concepts, theories, and practices in contemporary psychology. Areas of investigation may include the goals and research methodologies of psychology, the science of the brain, theories of human development and intelligence, concepts of motivation and emotions, the science of sensation and perceptions, and the current practices pertaining to psychological disorders, therapies, and treatments.

Prerequisite: none

Course ID: G148
Credits: 4

Introduction to Human Services exposes the student to the many facets of human services work. Topics to be explored include programs, policies, history, politics, and how current economics shape programs. Human service intervention strategies utilized in daily practice are examined along with stresses faced in the workplace. Comparisons of human services systems from a variety of countries will also be examined.

Prerequisite: none

Course ID: HS100
Credits: 4

This course will examine diversity in many communities and the cross-cultural service delivery available in those communities. Specific client populations will be explored, with an understanding of what cultural, physical, and mental diversity is and why it is important. Special attention will be paid to working with people of both mental and physical disabilities. Those disabilities include, but are not limited to, mental retardation, autism, and Asperger's Syndrome.

Prerequisite: Introduction to Human Services

Course ID: HS110
Credits: 4

This course sets the foundation for students to develop the morals, ethics, and attitude necessary to strategically help those in crisis situations. The values and ethics intrinsic to the human services profession will be explored, as well as developing interpersonal communication skills. Students will explore how human services professionals function as change agents and must therefore attain and develop a core of intervention knowledge, theory, and skills to effectively deal with people in crisis. The ability to create genuine and empathetic relationships with others is central to those entering the human services field. Intervention strategies are also explored.

Prerequisite: Introduction to Human Services

Course ID: HS115
Credits: 4

Working and managing within a human services organization takes high morals, standards, and ethics. Through this course, students will consider the complexity of moral and ethical dilemmas in navigating and managing in the human service industry. Students will learn decision-making techniques to include the necessary components for an ethical reasoning process. In order to have a strong foundation of practice, students will learn to how to build a strong ethical organization through culture, climate, and structure.

Prerequisites: Case Management: Strategies for Rehabilitation; Counseling Clients

Course ID: HS250
Credits: 4

Community Psychology focuses on the four systems which function in a community: the mental health system, the educational system, the criminal justice system, and the social service system. As human service professionals, students will analyze problems in these communities and will evaluate individuals functioning in these systems, offering both answers and proactive models of prevention. Community psychology works toward the empowerment of members within a community, while appreciating diversity and understanding human behavior. Social change will be examined as well as understanding that setting or environment is as important as the individual in it.

Prerequisite: General Psychology

Course ID: HS260
Credits: 4

In this course students will understand the applied discipline of abnormal psychology. In order to understand and change abnormal patterns of functioning humans in their communities, thoughts and behavior will be examined. Students will explore what is abnormal behavior and what is not in current society and cultures. Numerous applications will be examined, including a variety of mental health disorders, individuals who have difficulty functioning effectively in everyday life, the impact of family dysfunction on the individual, and the influence of mental illness on criminal behavior. Variables that may affect a person's ability to adapt and function in a community will be considered, such as one's genetic makeup, physical condition, learning, reasoning, and socialization.

Prerequisite: General Psychology

Course ID: HS280
Credits: 4

Students will learn how to manage caseloads of clients, document casework, and use strategies for clients' rehabilitation. They will learn how to write effective court reports, case entries, recommendations and violation summaries. Students will explore client-interview skills and motivation techniques. Examination of special populations of diverse clients, such as substance abusers and the mentally ill are reviewed.

Prerequisite: Introduction to Criminal Justice or Introduction to Human Services

Course ID: J121
Credits: 4

Students will examine the process and effects of counseling. Assessment tools, methods of evaluation, and case plans are explored. They will consider a variety of counseling settings, including prisons, jails, group homes, in-patient and outpatient treatment centers, and halfway houses, as places of rehabilitation and counseling. Students will explore diverse clients including juveniles and adults, men and women, and people from various cultures.

Prerequisite: Introduction to Corrections or Introduction to Human Services

Course ID: J211
Credits: 4

Field experience is a key learning experience in a human services delivery organization. It is a process of experiential learning that integrates the knowledge, theory, skills, and professional behaviors that are concurrently being taught within the classroom. It is an integral part of the total educational process.

Prerequisite: Students must be in their last or second to last quarter before graduation.

Co-requisite: Sophomore Seminar

Course ID: HS294
Credits: 9

This course teaches communication theory and skills for developing professional documents and oral presentations for audiences in diverse communities and disciplines. To equip students to communicate effectively, this course emphasizes thinking and writing within global contexts, in collaborative situations, and in various electronic environments.

Prerequisite: Passing grade in Reading and Writing Strategies or placement determined by STEP assessment score.

Course ID: B271
Credits: 4

This course will provide students with an opportunity to integrate learning, skills, and knowledge from the Human Services program in the form of a Capstone Project. Contemporary issues and future trends will also be analyzed.

Prerequisite: Students must be in their last or second-to-last quarter.

Co-requisite: Sophomore Seminar

Course ID: HS295
Credits: 5

This course investigates human creative achievement. It is designed to increase the student's understanding and appreciation of cultural literacy and the pursuit of humanitarian goals. Representative disciplines may include art, music, literature, architecture, drama, and philosophy.

Prerequisite: none

Course ID: G125
Credits: 4

Students will study different elements, forms, techniques and styles of film and will learn a critical approach to film and the motion picture industry. Students will critique films and filmmakers through various approaches and assessments that demonstrate analysis, interpretation, and evaluation skills as well as fostering a deeper appreciation and understanding of film as an art form.

Prerequisite: none

Course ID: G145
Credits: 4

Students will examine the historical, social, and technological factors that contribute to understanding the function and meaning of art in this course. Using a global and thematic approach, students will be introduced to the basic elements of art, while learning about a full range of media used to make art, and the fundamental concepts of art criticism. Western and non-Western art is represented, with a strong emphasis on a global perspective in relation to culture, communication, politics, and economics.

Prerequisite: none

Course ID: G147
Credits: 4

Students will study the development of representative musical styles and techniques in this course. Students will learn about the formal structure of music and the significant figures that have shaped the various periods in musical history.

Prerequisite: none

Course ID: G151
Credits: 4

This course provides students with an introductory understanding of the fundamental questions of philosophy, and an opportunity to develop their own attitudes and beliefs as they seek greater knowledge. Some of the topics students will explore include what it means to be human, the nature of reality, what is truth, morality, free will, and the nature of the self. Significant figures that have played a vital role in developing various fields of philosophy will also be introduced.

Prerequisite: none

Course ID: G155
Credits: 4

This course will develop the student's talents in creative writing. Various forms of writing will be studied, such as short stories, novels, poems, plays and non-fiction. Works by students and others will be critiqued. Students will also develop editorial skills so that each writer may revise and improve his/her work. Students will compose a minimum of 6000 words over the course of the program.

Prerequisites: Passing grade in Reading and Writing Strategies or placement determined by STEP assessment score.

Course ID: G201
Credits: 4

This course is designed to expose the student to both a variety of literary forms and important writing topics such as symbolism, myth, and character. Utilizing writing as a major mode of thinking, continued emphasis is placed on construction and composition, including word usage, grammar and sentence analysis. A documented research paper is required.

Prerequisite: English Composition

Course ID: G220
Credits: 4

A study of the rules of valid judging and reasoning, both inductive and deductive, in a traditional, language-centered context rather than a symbolic context. Logical analysis of both formal and informal fallacies and of the consistency and logical consequences of a given set of statements. Logical analysis is applied to concrete problems dealing with our knowledge of reality.

Prerequisite: English Composition

Course ID: G224
Credits: 4

This course is designed as a study of ethical practices and principles and its relationship to personal and social morality. Emphasis is placed on the application of ethical theories to problems faced in business and society.

Prerequisite: none

Course ID: G225
Credits: 4

This course offers an introduction to the most common literary genres: fiction, poetry, drama, and literary non-fiction. Students will study the basic elements of each genre, learn how to compare genres, become familiar with sample texts that illustrate the particularities of each genre, and practice the skills of analyzing and writing about literary texts. Reading and analysis of texts will include a variety of literary forms and periods. Students will engage in approaches to determine literary meaning, form, and value.

Prerequisite: none [English Comp. recommended]

Course ID: G230
Credits: 4

This course focuses on common words and phrases students need to develop a working vocabulary which will enable them to communicate with Spanish-speaking individuals in their personal and professional lives. Although oral communication is stressed, included is an overview of Spanish grammar, phonetic pronunciation and Hispanic culture.

Prerequisite: none

Course ID: G238
Credits: 4

This course provides a working knowledge of the structure and function of the human body. A general introduction to cells and tissues is followed by study of the anatomy and physiology of the skeletal and muscular systems. The student is introduced to the nervous, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, urinary, reproductive, and endocrine systems.

Prerequisite: none

Course ID: G150
Credits: 4

In this course students will explore introductory topics in the biology of animals. Students will learn about the structure, function, and physiology of animals, and their role in the Earth's ecosystems. Students will also have an opportunity to study animal genetics, growth, and behavioral and reproductive patterns in this course.

Prerequisite: none

Course ID: G170
Credits: 4

Students will explore fundamental concepts of human biology. They will examine cell structure and function, body systems, and biochemistry. They will also learn basic concepts of genetics and evolution. Students will explore the relationship of human populations and the ecosystem.

Prerequisites: none

Course ID: G215
Credits: 4

Examines astronomical phenomena and concepts, including the solar system, stars and galaxies, planetary motions, atoms and radiation, and the origin and evolution of the universe.

Prerequisite: none

Course ID: G239
Credits: 4

Examines basic geologic principles from a physical or historical perspective. Includes such topics as the formation of rocks and minerals; internal and external processes modifying the earth's surface and phenomena; and the evolutionary history of the earth, including its life forms, oceans and atmosphere.

Prerequisite: none

Course ID: G245
Credits: 4

This course introduces students to basic sociology terms and concepts. Students will understand how to apply sociological concepts and theories and analyze the structure and relationships of social institutions and the process of social change. Students will explore a variety of topics of sociological interest, including socialization, social inequality, social movements, and the impact of technology and social change on society.

Prerequisite: none

Course ID: G142
Credits: 4

This course develops students' reading and writing skills in preparation for college-level coursework. Through review of grammar, punctuation, and the writing process, students will enhance their ability to compose sentences, paragraphs, and short essays. The study of active reading strategies will provide students with the tools necessary for comprehending collegiate level texts.

Prerequisite: Placement determined by placement test score.

Course ID: B080
Credits: 4

This course is a study of the fundamentals of mathematics in the following areas: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, decimals, and percentages.

Prerequisite: Placement determined by placement test score.

Course ID: B099
Credits: 4