2/5/2025 12:44:06 PM	SWHS 90 Course Outline as of Fall 2025	Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION
Discipline and Nbr:  SWHS 90	Title:  INTRO TO SOC WK/HUM SVC
Full Title:  Introduction to Social Work and Human Services
Last Reviewed:1/27/2025

Units		Course Hours per Week			Nbr of Weeks	Course Hours Total
Maximum	3.00	Lecture Scheduled	3.00		17.5 max.	Lecture Scheduled	52.50
Minimum	3.00	Lab Scheduled	0		6 min.	Lab Scheduled	0
		Contact DHR	0			Contact DHR	0
		Contact Total	3.00			Contact Total	52.50
		Non-contact DHR	0			Non-contact DHR Total	0

Total Out of Class Hours:  105.00

Total Student Learning Hours: 157.50

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade Only
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly:  HUSV 90

Catalog Description:

Students will receive an overview social welfare and the societal institutions in the U.S. that structure the provision of social services. The course presents a historical perspective on the development of U.S. social work and human services. Special attention is given to current service delivery systems, their policies and procedures, and the tasks of culturally responsive social workers and human service workers within those settings.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:

Recommended Preparation:
Eligibility for ENGL C1000 or EMLS 10 or equivalent

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description:

Students will receive an overview social welfare and the societal institutions in the U.S. that structure the provision of social services. The course presents a historical perspective on the development of U.S. social work and human services. Special attention is given to current service delivery systems, their policies and procedures, and the tasks of culturally responsive social workers and human service workers within those settings.

(Grade Only)
Prerequisites:
Recommended:Eligibility for ENGL C1000 or EMLS 10 or equivalent
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:CSU;
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:		Effective:		Inactive:
Area:
CSU GE:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
	E	Lifelong Learning and Self Development		Fall 2006
IGETC:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
CSU Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 1999	Inactive:
UC Transfer:		Effective:		Inactive:
C-ID:

Certificate/Major Applicable: Both Certificate and Major Applicable

COURSE CONTENT

Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Explain the historical evolution of social welfare and human services in the United States

2. Demonstrate an understanding of the current service delivery system in which social work and human service clients' needs are provided, and identify the legal, ethical, and professional responsibilities associated with social welfare delivery

3. Demonstrate an understanding of cultural humility and systems of oppression and privilege, using critical thinking in envisioning ways of collaborating, negotiating, and advocating in working with and within social welfare and human service organizations and institutions

4. Articulate an understanding of services provided by local social welfare agencies and a referral network

 

Objectives:

At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Outline the historical development of social work, human services, and social welfare  

2. Summarize the evolution of social welfare institutions and programs in the United States

3. Discuss social policy analysis perspectives addressing social work and human services, and 'filter' this discussion through a lens that considers ethnicity, culture, class, age, religion, physical or cognitive abilities, gender identity, sexual orientation, and other potential targets of oppression

4. Critically examine the legal system and major court decisions shaping social work and human services in the United States

5. Understand and explain the current social welfare, human services, and service delivery system environment in the United States

6. Categorize and examine social work and human service practitioner roles and orientations in the current service delivery system environment

7. Define ethics, values and professional practice perspectives for social work and human service practitioner

Topics and Scope

I. Overview of the Fields of Social Work and Human Services  

     A. Professional and academic requirements, obligations, and roles

     B. History and evolution of the social welfare system, agencies, organizations, and institutions within the United States

    C. Code of ethics, professional standards, legal guidelines

          1. Values and characteristics

          2. Legal system and court rulings

     D.  Multiculturism and social justice

          1. Ethnicity, culture, class, age, religion, physical or cognitive abilities, gender identity, and sexual orientation

          2. Racism and oppression

     E. Vocational opportunities paraprofessional and licensure

II. Social Problems and the Helping Process

     A. Issues relating to the individual, family, group, and their treatment models

          1. Mental health, emotional, and behavioral problems

          2. Physical, mental, and sexual abuse

          3. Sexual exploitation

          4. Substance use and misuse  

          5. Poverty      

     B. The helping process  

          1. Initiate, establish, and maintain the helping relationship

          2. Problem identification and establish goals for personal emprovement

          3. Theories of change, wellness, and treatment planning  

          4. Assist the client to take action and integrate their change

          5. Referral and termination skills  

III. Awareness, Knowledge, and Skills for Working with Diverse Clients

     A. Cultural humility, competence and guidelines

     B. Serving clients through the lifespan

     C. Addressing disabilities

     D. Medical and rehabilitation  

     B. Ethics and social policies addressing diverse populations

Assignments:

1. Read assigned textbook and supplemental reading material (approximately 25-35 pages per week)

2. One presentation (with oral and visual elements) about a social welfare or human service population and available services

3. Develop one social welfare and human service resource index

4. Case assessments (2-5) from a practitioner's perspective applying applicable theory and methods

5. Midterm exam(s) (1-2)

6. Final exam

7. Class group work discussing weekly content and case analysis

8. Class exercises practicing course-related skills

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.

Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.		Writing 20 - 30%
Case assessments, visual component of presentation, resource index
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.		Problem Solving 10 - 20%
Application of text concepts to case assessments, presentation
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.		Skill Demonstrations 20 - 30%
Case assessments, class exercises, presentation, resource index
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.		Exams 20 - 30%
Exams
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.		Other Category 10 - 20%
Class group work and exercises

Representative Textbooks and Materials:

An Introduction to Human Services. 9th ed. Woodside, Marianne and McClam, Tricia. Cengage Learning. 2019. (classic).

Empowerment Series: An Introduction to the Profession of Social Work. 6th ed. Segal, Elizabeth A., Gerdes Karen E., and Steiner, Sue. Cengage Learning. 2019. (classic).

Days in the Lives of Social Workers. 5th ed. Grobman, Linda May. New Social Worker Press. 2019. (classic).

Empowerment Series: Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare: Empowering People. 13th ed. Zastrow, Charles and  Hessenauer, Sarah L. Cengage Learning. 2023.

Theory, Practice, and Trends in Human Services: An Introduction. 7th ed. Neukrug, Edward S. Cengage Learning. 2025.

Instructor prepared materials

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