Housatonic Community College

Introduction to Human Services

Fall Semester 2006

Assistant Professor: Janet Lanci MS, LPC,
          Office: A206, Phone: 332-8548
        This is a F2F class we M and W 9:30 am – 10:50 am or W 6:30 pm - 9:15 pm
          E-MAIL: [email protected]

Office hours: On-ground - Wednesday 2pm – 4pm, On-Line – Sunday 10 pm – 11pm via Yahoo messenger ID is Prof_Lanci and via AOL instant messenger ID is Prof Lanci

Required Text:  Mandell, Betty Reid; Schram, Barbara; An Introduction to Human Services Policy and Practice, Sixth Edition. Allyn and Bacon, 2003

Recommended Web Sights:

Catalog Description: An interdisciplinary orientation to major Human Service agencies and institutions in this region including education, law enforcement, childcare, mental health, recreation, geriatrics, etc. Participants will study the roles and functions of professionals in these types of Human Services careers. Instruction will include team-teaching, guest speakers, and field visitations. Prerequisite(s): none
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
GENERAL EDUCATION:

• 2.1 State a problem clearly
• 2.2 Observe data accurately
• 2.3 Analyze and organize facts and ideas
• 6.2 Interpret numerical information as presented in charts and graphs 3.2 Receive and comprehend written and oral information
• 3.4 Develop an argument to persuade an audience
• 4.1 Collect and organize information about a topic
• 4.2 Access, information from libraries using printed and electronic sources

OTHER:
Demonstrate a knowledge of the human services professions and the various agencies working in this field of study and practice.
COURSE CONTENT:

• The role of human services in society
• Agencies and programs in the profession
• Major challenges in the human services
• The helping relationship
• History of human services in the United States
• Attitudes, skills and knowledge in the human services
• Strategies of intervention
• Values and ethics in the human services
• Team research

“The greatest good you can do for another is not just to share your riches but to reveal to him his own. “
Benjamin Disraeli

Class Schedule (This is subject to change)
I encourage you to pay attention to current events by reading the newspaper, watching the discovery channel, PBS, Science channel, news programs and/or the History channel, if you should find something that you found interesting that is related to Human Service please share it with the class.

Week 1:  Introductions, review of syllabus, discussion of what I expect from y’all in the class. Assigning of groups for the group project. Homework: READ chapter 1,

Week 2: Discussion about chapter one, A discussion on the format of your paper. We will break into groups and start work on the group project.  Discussion about chapter one, planning a resource guide and why it is important, the last 15 minutes of class will be to work on your group project Homework:  READ chapter 2, bring to the next class a copy of some job announcements or want adds that are related to human services

Week 3: Discussion about chapter two, class participation projects the last 15 minutes of class will be to work on your group project,

Week 4: Audiovisual “Frontline – Bangor, Maine DCF case” Discussion about chapter three the last 15 minutes of class will be to work on your group project. Homework:  READ chapter 3,  

Week 5: Discussion about chapter three and any current events related to the chapter Group presentations.  Homework:  READ chapter 4

Week 6: Review for midterm, discussion about chapter four, Group presentations.  Homework:  STUDY FOR THE MID-TERM!

Week 7: MID-TERM Homework:  READ chapter 5.

Week 8: Discussion about chapter five Homework:  READ handouts,

Week 9: Continued discussion about chapter five, Homework:  READ chapter 6. Rough draft of your paper is due next week.

Week 10: Discussion about chapter 6, Rough draft of your paper is due next week!

Week 11: continued discussion about chapter 6, we will break into groups and continue working on the group project.  Final Draft of your paper is due! Homework:  READ chapter 7

Week 12th: discussion about chapter seven.  Final Draft of your paper is due!  

Week 13th: - Homework:  READ handouts, Discussion about chapter seven

Week 14th: Continued discussion about handouts, Homework: prepare for FINAL EXAM!

Resource Manual
Through out the semester you will compile via notebook, index cards, Rolla desk, data base a list of referrals for your clients. You will have a section corresponding with each of the subtopics in this course.  There may be some overlapping of resources that is to be expected.

Contemporary Human Services Topics
As a group you will will read and discuss an article with connection to the Human Services field.  Your job is to organize a class presentation on the article that (1) defines the Human Service worker/workers or agencies that should be involved with this client the article is talking about, (2) discuss the group’s opinions about what needs to be done to change (or not to change), and (3) present your own opinions about the impact of your article as a whole to the general population, and to the individual.  (4) bring in job descriptions for any positions that might be held by professionals in this article, (5) bring in classified adds for jobs of professionals refereed to in the article that are Human Service workers, (6) visit an agency that would work with this client or problem. Your presentation should be at least 10 minutes no longer than 15 minutes.  This does not include question and answer time, or class discussion time.

Critical Thinking Paper
As an individual, you will from the group project write a 5-page paper discussing all 6 points. In addition, you will discuss what impact, if any, this program will have on the general population as a whole.  What indications are present to substantiate your opinion?  What if any impact will your assumption about your program have on the future?  What will be the consequences if nothing changes or if it does change?

• Paper is to be done in APA format      
• If you quote, you must document!!!!!!!!
• Plagiarism Will Not Be Tolerated In Any Way Shape or Form!! I CHECK!!!!
• Minimum of 5 typewritten pages in the body of the paper
• NO large fonts or margins. 
• NO clip art to be included in the body of the paper! 
• Late papers, 3 points will be deducted per day for one week.  After seven days, your paper will not be accepted.
• 70% of the grade for this paper will be on the content 
• 20% of the grade will be on your grammar, spelling, sentence structure and paragraphing
• 10% of the grade is your ability to follow instructions.

Tests:
There will be 5 exams including the midterm and final. The tests will consist of 20 to 50 questions.  Each exam will have one bonus question that will be announced in class.  If you have been a part of our class discussions, class presentations, and have read your text, the exams will cause you no stress.

Quizzes:
There might be 1 to 2 unannounced quizzes.  If you are absent, have contacted the instructor in advance, and have an excused absence, you can take a make-up quiz.

Participation:
If you do not feel comfortable participating in classroom discussion and presentations, it is your responsibility to talk to the instructor about ways to increase that part of your grade.

Grading:

• Critical Thinking Paper - 25%
• Contemporary Human Services Topics - 25%
• Tests - 25%
• Quizzes, Participation and resource manual - 25%

Make-up Policy:
You can make-up a missed exam or quiz only if you were excused from class.  The exam or quiz must be made-up within one week.  You must contact the instructor if you want a make-up, do not assume that there is a test waiting for you to make-up.

Attendance and Tardiness Policy:
Regular attendance is important.  If you must miss class or will be very late, please call the instructor in advance.  Also, make sure to get notes from another student and find out if any announcements have been made in class.  Remember to check WebCT for any handouts. Frequent lateness in arriving at class and/or excessive absence will affect the final grade. Three unexcused absences will result in the drop of a letter grade on your final grade.

Talking and courtesy toward fellow classmates:
Discussion and interaction are encouraged. Please try to allow others to complete what they are saying before you speak. Please recognize the value of expressing diverse points of view. Please avoid private conversations with other classmates during class. Such disruptions may affect your grade. If you continue to disturb the class with you talking in private conversations you will be asked to leave the classroom and cannot return until you have seen the dean of students.

Cell Phones:
Cell phones are not permitted in class. If you are on call for your employer and must carry one it must be on vibrate, and I must be notified. Cell phones that are taken out during exams will cause the student to receive a zero for that exam. Continued interruption from your cell phone during class either by it ringing, you talking on it, or text messaging during class will result in your leaving class for the evening and having to see the Dean of Students before being allowed back into class.

Extra Credit
This assignment will substitute for one low test score (not a misses exam) or replace one missed assignment. This assignment is to be a minimum of a three page typed paper with a font size of 12 and double-spaced. You can find the directions for this assignment on-line through WebCT VISTA.

Fall 2006 Syllabus supplement-Housatonic Community College
Important information for the semester:

Evacuation of the Building:
Please note the evacuation signs for the classroom, posted near the door.
Students must leave the building immediately by the most direct route when the alarm is sounded and the strobe lights go off.  Please take your books and coats.  Students must move across the street either on Lafayette Boulevard, State Street, or Broad Street. Students will be allowed to return to the building only when directed to by the campus security staff.

Weather delays and cancellations:
Weather delays or class cancellations are posted on the HCC Website.  For this information students may call the central phone number of the college, 332-5200. Announcements about classes will be posted to the following Radio Stations:
WICC-AM   600                       WEBE-FM   107.9
WEZN-FM  99.9                      WKCI-FM    101.3
WELI-AM   960
Decisions about day classes will be made by 6:15 am and about evening classes by 3 pm; for Saturday classes, decisions are made by 7 am; for Sunday classes, by 10 am.

Computer Lab Hours – Room A230 and A232
Monday – Thursday   8:30 am to 9:00 pm       Friday-Saturday    9:00 am to 3:30 pm
Sunday – 12:00 pm to 3:30 pm

Student financial obligations:
A student in good financial standing with the College is one who has no outstanding financial obligations.  In order to earn credit in this course, the student is expected to be in good financial standing with the College.
Students must pay their bills to the College on time and in full.  Students who do not do so are in financial default and will not earn credit for coursework done while in default.
Failure to maintain good financial standing does not oblige the College to grant credit for a course, regardless of the student’s work or attendance in a course.
The professor’s only obligation is to inform the student that the student is not on the roster, and that the student needs to remedy the situation with the appropriate office at the College.

Student Handbook
The Student Handbook lists student rights, responsibilities and expectations for classroom behavior.  Note as an example that cell phones and paging devices must be turned off or muted before class begins.

SYLLABUS SUPPLEMENT

LIBRARY HOURS
When classes are in session:
Fall/Spring Monday - Thursday 8:30am - 9:00pm
Friday 8:30am - 4:00pm
Saturday 8:30am - 3:30pm
Sunday 11:30am - 6:00 pm
Summer Monday - Thursday 8:30am - 7:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 4:00pm
When classes are not in session:
Monday - Friday 8:30am - 4:00pm

LIBRARY WEB PAGE: www.hcc.commnet.edu/library

The Housatonic Library exists to serve students, faculty, and staff and strives for maximum access. We are open seven days a week during Fall and Spring semesters, have at least one professional librarian available at all times, and offer online off-campus access to many of our databases. To foster communication between faculty and librarians and facilitate practical and efficient use of the library, here is some other information you may find useful:

Reference
Reference service is provided during all hours of library operation.

Library Instruction
Library (or Bibliographic) Instruction sessions to familiarize students with library services and resources are available upon request of the faculty member teaching the class. (The exceptions are the mandatory presentations given to Developmental Studies 99 and English 101 classes.) The presentations are adapted to the needs of the group and range from basic information to more advanced and/or subject specific sessions. If you wish to have a librarian give a presentation to your class, please contact Peter Everett at:
332-5074 or [email protected].

Library Databases
Currently, 13 separate and distinct databases (computerized magazine indexes and other informational directories), are available in the library. These databases offer mostly full-text articles. Most of these databases can be accessed from off-campus via the Internet.

A partial list:
InfoTrac OneFile General Interest/Comprehensive.
Business & Company Resource Center Comprehensive Business and Industry information.
ABI/Inform Global Worldwide Business & Management information.
Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe News/Business/Legal, a multi-layered database with magazine and newspaper articles, excerpts from reference books, etc.
Opposing Viewpoints Pro and con articles on current event topics.
Health and Wellness Resource Center Health/Medical/Psychological, a large
database with periodical articles and excerpts from reference books and pamphlets.
Ethnic Newswatch Indexes smaller publications representing different National, Ethnic, & Racial groups.
¡Informe! Spanish-language magazine index.

Library Computers
The library is one of the areas providing computer services to HCC students, faculty, and staff. The role of the library, and therefore the purpose of library computers, is to provide access to information. The computers are intended primarily for academic/research use. Access is provided for the following areas:

• Catalog: For locating and gaining access to any books, videos, DVDs, or CDs that are found in the library.
• Databases: For accessing full-text magazine, newspaper articles and other proprietary information via online periodical indexes.
• Internet: For access to the Internet for purposes of research.

If you have any further questions or concerns, please contact:
Peter Everett, Public Services Librarian x5074 [email protected] or
Nancy Blomstrom, Library Director x5072 [email protected]

Counseling: the instructor will try to assist students having problems in the course or other problems.  The Student Development Office, Room A-108 (332-5097) has excellent counselors available to help with a variety of student needs.

Students with Disabilities:  A person with a disability is an individual with a psychological, medical, or learning impairment that significantly limits one or more major life activities.  If the disability has an educational impact upon the student, the student should contact the Coordinator of Disability Support Services (332-5018, Room B-120) to determine eligibility for accommodations.  It is the student’s responsibility to provide the instructor with a copy of the accommodation plan at the beginning of each semester.   If there are any problems or questions, the student and/or instructor should contact the Coordinator of Disability Support Services.

ACADEMIC SUPPORT CENTER
The Academic Support Center provides students with a variety of services designed to enhance their academic and personal experiences at HCC.
Some of the specific services offered include:

• One on one tutoring with Master and Peer Tutors in over 90% of the courses listed in each semester's catalog.
• Study Groups are a very effective way to review class materials, stay on top of assignments, and make the grade. Bring your classmates in for a tutor facilitated group review.
• Specially trained writing tutors work with students on all types of writing from developing a paragraph to drafting a research paper.
• A writing lab where students can work with their tutor at the computer.
• "Computer Tutors": computers that have specific software for developmental studies courses (including reading, algebra and basic math), psychology, pre calculus, science and ESL.
• Audio Video resources in basic and intermediate algebra, calculus, statistics, foreign languages and more.
• On Line Tutoring is available 7 days a week. Many evening and weekend hours are available. Come to B 1 16 to get your password.
• Workshops and training sessions provide students with academic skills and personal enrichment. We offer regularly scheduled workshops on such diverse topics as study skills, coping with test anxiety, computer basics, navigating the Internet, and stress reduction.

The Center, located in B116, B118, and B120, is comprised of the Tutoring Center, the Writing Across the Curriculum Center, Disabilities Support Services, and the Center for Testing Services. We're open 8:30 7:30 Monday Thursday, 8:30 4:00 Friday, and 9:00 3:00 Saturday.
The ASC is the available free of charge to all HCC students. Tutoring has been a key to consistent improvement for students doing well in classes and for those who are having difficulty in a course.
Come in to B116 and make an appointment.

We Help You Help Yourself