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Course Planning by Program

2025-26

Essential Objectives

Course Syllabus


Revision Date: 29-May-25
 

Summer 2025 | SWK-1010-VO01 - Introduction to Human Services


Online Class

Online courses take place 100% online via Canvas, without required in-person or Zoom meetings.

Location: Online
Credits: 3 (45 hours)
Day/Times: Meets online
Semester Dates: 05-20-2025 to 08-11-2025
Last day to drop without a grade: 06-02-2025 - Refund Policy
Last day to withdraw (W grade): 07-07-2025 - Refund Policy
This course has started, please contact the offering academic center about registration

Faculty

Virginia Merriam
View Faculty Credentials

Hiring Coordinator for this course: Gilberto Diaz Santos

General Education Requirements


This section meets the following CCV General Education Requirement(s) for the current catalog year:
VSCS Social Sciences
    Note
  1. Many degree programs have specific general education recommendations. In order to avoid taking unnecessary classes, please consult with additional resources like your program evaluation, your academic program catalog year page, and your academic advisor.
  2. Courses may only be used to meet one General Education Requirement.

Course Description

This course provides an overview of the organization, values, theories, and variety of activities of various human service professions, with specific emphasis on social work. Students explore the human services and examine opportunities and educational requirements for a career in social work and other helping professions.


Essential Objectives

1. Trace the development of social welfare institutions in the United States, including the organization, funding sources, goals, management, and policies of contemporary local, state, and federal human service programs.
2. Compare human services systems in the United States to those developed in other global cultures and diverse societies.
3. Explain the needs of individuals and communities that are addressed by the human services system, describe human service programming, and evaluate the efficacy of common intervention methods.
4. Identify and discuss the educational and ethical requirements of human services professionals including the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics.
5. Apply the core values of Social Work—service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence.
6. Discuss the importance of cultural competence and demonstrate skills and strategies for supporting and collaborating with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
7. Explain the forms, mechanisms, and dynamics of oppression and the strategies of social change that advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice.
8. Explore the scope and diversity of career opportunities in social work and other human services fields through assignments such as informational interviews, job shadows, or other career exploration activities..


Required Technology

More information on general computer and internet recommendations is available on the CCV computer recommendations Support page.

Please see CCV's Digital Equity Statement (pg. 45) to learn more about CCV's commitment to supporting all students access the technology they need to successfully finish their courses.


Required Textbooks and Resources


*** This is a no cost textbook or resource class. ***

SWK-1010-VO01 Link to Textbooks/Resources Information for this course in eCampus.

The last day to use a Financial Aid Advance to purchase textbooks/books is the 3rd Tuesday of the semester. See your financial aid counselor at your academic center if you have any questions.


Evaluation Criteria

25% Assignments

25% Discussion Forums

10% Quizzes

20% Mid-Term

20% Final


Grading Criteria

CCV Letter Grades as outlined in the Evaluation System Policy are assigned according to the following chart:

 HighLow
A+10098
A Less than 9893
A-Less than 9390
B+Less than 9088
B Less than 8883
B-Less than 8380
C+Less than 8078
C Less than 7873
C-Less than 7370
D+Less than 7068
D Less than 6863
D-Less than 6360
FLess than 60 
P10060
NPLess than 600


Weekly Schedule


Week/ModuleTopic  Readings  Assignments
 

1

The materials this week provide a broad overview of the human services field, including a definition of the profession, the multiple disciplines they are related to, and the ways in which a human service degree may be used. The last part of the chapter describes the characteristics, skills, and knowledge needed to be a human services worker.

  

Lecture 1

Pages 65-154 in OER textbook

Assigned videos

Review PowerPoint

  

Introduction Discussion Forum

Week One Discussion Forum

Week One Written Assignment

 

2

Understanding your own identity and background is critical to being able to help others, whether their experiences are similar or different from your own cultural background. In human services it is also critical that we understand how historical actions, laws, and practices impact us today. This week you will explore the history of the social welfare system in the United States with a focus on how the concept of “whitewashing” has influenced how history has been documented and taught.

  

Week Two Lecture

Pages 157-259 OER textbook

Assigned videos

  

Week Two Discussion Forum

Week Two Written Assignment

 

3

This week we will look at the importance of codes of ethics and also begin to look at the services that are available for individuals and families who are experiencing domestic violence or intimate partner violence.

  

Week Three Lecture

Pages 261-355in your OER Textbook

Mutiple Assigned videos

Other materials as assigned (domestic violence programs by county, DV fatality review commission, code of ethics).

Review two PowerPoints

  

Discussion Forum

Written Assignment

Quiz

 

4

This week’s materials explore the relationship between social problems (public health issues) and the intersectionality with poverty. Understanding that social problems are caused by social structures and not individuals is an important concept in the field of human services. The reading provides an overview of conditions and characteristics that contribute to the environments where human services professionals work, the social problems they address, and the individuals and families they serve.

  

Week 4 Lecture

Read page 358-435in your OER Textbook

Multiple assigned videos

Review assigned PowerPoints

  

Discussion Forum

Weekly Assignment

 

5

This week we will look more deeply at families, and at health and health care settings.Standard 14 from the code of ethics for human services professionals states, “human service(s) professionals are aware of social and political issues that differently affect clients from diverse backgrounds.” It is important for professionals in the human services field to be aware that social problems and political issues can affect different populations disproportionately and in diverse ways. Standard 14 reminds us that we need to pay attention to the macro level of these problems and issues when we are working 1:1 with an individual. We must practice cultural humility and be aware especially of populations in marginalized groups who have less power, experience change and social problems, and are impacted by political decisions.

  

Read page 439-517in your OER Textbook

Multiple assigned readings

  

Discussion Forum

Quiz

 

6

This week we will explore the national movement of self-determination within the mental health and intellectual disabilities fields. This is a powerful movement within the State of Vermont. Unlike many States, Vermont now has very few institutional beds. We have embraced the self-advocacy movement in Vermont, which is reflected in how services are delivered.

  

Week Six Lecture

Read page 826-867in your OER Textbook

Multiple assigned readings related to services in Vermont's system of care

Review PowerPoints

  

Discussion forum

Written Assignment

 

7

Mid-Term (informational interview of a human services worker).We will also look at the mental health system in the United States and Vermont and review current treatment modalitie

  

Lecture Week 7

Read page 519-591in your OER Textbook

Multiple assigned readings

Review Powerpoint

  

Mid-term informational interview paper

Discussion Forum

 

8

This week the materials focus on two of the most important aspects of children’s lives: their families and educational settings. It applies the ecological systems theory that you read about in Chapter 1 to these relationships and settings. In addition, you will learn about child welfare programs, the impact of poverty on children, and how implicit bias can impact child welfare services.

  

Week 8 Lecture

Read page 595-659in your OER Textbook

Multiple assigned videos and readings

Review PowerPoint

  

Discussion Forum

Written Assignment

 

9

On any given day an estimated 2,000 Vermont children experience parental incarceration; that’s 6,000 children a year — the same as the number of Vermont babies born annually. One out of every 17 children in Vermont has had a mom or dad in prison. The trauma of parental incarceration can affect a child’s life forever.This week you will read about Resilience Beyond Incarceration and develop an understanding ofthe impact of parental incarceration for Vermont families.

You will alo watch the documentaryComing Home which highlights the success of the program Circles of Support & Accountability (CoSA). In CoSA, formerly incarcerated individuals who are released on furlough status and are regarded by the VT Department of Corrections as at high or moderate risk for re-offense are given the opportunity to participate in CoSA in addition to service navigation. CoSA are teams of community volunteers committed to supporting the formerly incarcerated individual for a full year after their release through weekly meetings and contact in the community.

  

Week 9 Lecture

Read page 869-912in your OER Textbook

Documentary film

Assigned videos

  

Discussion Forum

Written Assignment

Quiz

 

10

Vermont's older population is our fastest growing age group. By 2030, one in three Vermonters will be over the age of 60. Becoming an age-friendly state requires a holistic approach that brings us together to ensure older Vermonters are able to contribute their time, wisdom, talents and skills to our communities and to address a wide range of changing needs—such as housing, healthcare, transportation, caregiving, access to healthy food, education and employment.In Vermont, we have embraced the philosophy of allowing individuals to age in place through the use of Medicaid funds to support care that is provided in the home setting, with a goal of reducing institutional care (nursing homes, residential care homes, etc).

  

Week 10 Lecture

Read page 663-739in your OER Textbook

Review assigned readings (Vermont State Plan on Aging, DAIL Resource connection, Older Americans Act)

Review PowerPoint

  

Discussion Forum

Written Assignment

 

11

This week we will be focusing on the impacts of trauma and trauma-informed practice.Trauma-informed practices are a very important topic in the field of human services. Trauma is a defining life event that shapes a victim’s sense of self and others. Trauma costs an estimated $103.8 billion dollars per year to the U.S economy which includes an estimated $70.7 billion in direct costs (Medical, Mental Health) and $33.1 billion in lost wages and juvenile detention.

  

Lecture Week 1

Read page 743-811in your OER Textbook

Multiple assigned videos

Multiple assigned readings

Review PowerPoint

  

Written Assignment

Discussion Forum

 

12

Final semester wrap up

  

Week Twelve Lecture

Read page 1009-1084in your OER Textbook

Assigned videos

  

Final-Resource Guide

Final Resource Guide Discussion Forum

 

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance and participation in classes are essential for success in and are completion requirements for courses at CCV. A student's failure to meet attendance requirements as specified in course descriptions will normally result in a non-satisfactory grade.

  • In general, missing more than 20% of a course due to absences, lateness or early departures may jeopardize a student's ability to earn a satisfactory final grade.
  • Attending an on-ground or synchronous course means a student appeared in the live classroom for at least a meaningful portion of a given class meeting. Attending an online course means a student posted a discussion forum response, completed a quiz or attempted some other academically required activity. Simply viewing a course item or module does not count as attendance.
  • Meeting the minimum attendance requirement for a course does not mean a student has satisfied the academic requirements for participation, which require students to go above and beyond simply attending a portion of the class. Faculty members will individually determine what constitutes participation in each course they teach and explain in their course descriptions how participation factors into a student's final grade.


Missing & Late Work Policy

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance and participation in classes are essential for success in and are completion requirements for courses at CCV. A student's failure to meet attendance requirements as specified in course descriptions will normally result in a non-satisfactory grade.

  • In general, missing more than 20% of a course due to absences, lateness or early departures may jeopardize a student's ability to earn a satisfactory final grade.
  • Attending an on-ground or synchronous course means a student appeared in the live classroom for at least a meaningful portion of a given class meeting. Attending an online course means a student posted a discussion forum response, completed a quiz or attempted some other academically required activity. Simply viewing a course item or module does not count as attendance.
  • Meeting the minimum attendance requirement for a course does not mean a student has satisfied the academic requirements for participation, which require students to go above and beyond simply attending a portion of the class. Faculty members will individually determine what constitutes participation in each course they teach and explain in their course descriptions how participation factors into a student's final grade.

Accessibility Services for Students with Disabilities:

CCV strives to mitigate barriers to course access for students with documented disabilities. To request accommodations, please
  1. Provide disability documentation to the Accessibility Coordinator at your academic center.https://ccv.edu/discover-resources/students-with-disabilities/Links to an external site.
  2. Request an appointment to meet with accessibility coordinator to discuss your request and create an accommodation plan.
  3. Once created, students will share the accommodation plan with faculty. Please note, faculty cannot make disability accommodations outside of this process.

Academic Integrity

CCV has a commitment to honesty and excellence in academic work and expects the same from all students. Academic dishonesty, or cheating, can occur whenever you present -as your own work- something that you did not do. You can also be guilty of cheating if you help someone else cheat. Being unaware of what constitutes academic dishonesty (such as knowing what plagiarism is) does not absolve a student of the responsibility to be honest in his/her academic work. Academic dishonesty is taken very seriously and may lead to dismissal from the College.

Artificial Intelligence(AI) Policy Statement

CCV recognizes that artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI tools are widely available and becoming embedded in many online writing and creative applications.

Integrated:This course's generative AI policy acknowledges the use of AI is an essential skill in today's world. By using genAI for specific purposes, students become equipped with relevant skills and tools necessary to thrive in a technology-driven society. Emphasizing the mastery of generative AI should empower you to harness its potential, enhancing your problem-solving abilities and preparing you for future challenges and opportunities. Be aware, however, that any time generative AI is used at any point in the assignment without attribution it may be considered a violation of CCV's Academic Integrity Policy.

Missing & Late Work Policy

Work that is passed in after the due date will not be accepted, unless you have avalid excuse that I deem acceptable. In any case, you must contact me before thedue date in order for this to be considered.I reserve the right to determine whethercredit for late work will be assigned; however, I do want students to be successful andam more than happy to work with them when situations arise that deem the submissionof late work appropriate. I realize that there are some situations when you are unable tomessage me prior to the date and will make exceptions as necessary while still
maintaining consistent course policies.


Accessibility Services for Students with Disabilities:


CCV strives to mitigate barriers to course access for students with documented disabilities. To request accommodations, please
  1. Provide disability documentation to the Accessibility Coordinator at your academic center. https://ccv.edu/discover-resources/students-with-disabilities/
  2. Request an appointment to meet with accessibility coordinator to discuss your request and create an accommodation plan.
  3. Once created, students will share the accommodation plan with faculty. Please note, faculty cannot make disability accommodations outside of this process.


Academic Integrity


CCV has a commitment to honesty and excellence in academic work and expects the same from all students. Academic dishonesty, or cheating, can occur whenever you present -as your own work- something that you did not do. You can also be guilty of cheating if you help someone else cheat. Being unaware of what constitutes academic dishonesty (such as knowing what plagiarism is) does not absolve a student of the responsibility to be honest in his/her academic work. Academic dishonesty is taken very seriously and may lead to dismissal from the College.

Apply Now for this semester.

Register for this semester: November 4, 2024 - May 16, 2025