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Core Coursework
Personal and Professional Development Seminar in Human Services
This seminar includes the study of systems, specifically an examination and critique of the human services delivery system, an overview of models of service, exploration of various perspectives on human behavior, health and healing including indigenous approaches, and an in-depth examination of one specific sector of human services in Seattle.
Life Span Development
A broad perspective of human development across the lifespan is offered. This encompasses historical and theoretical views of developmental tasks from birth to death. With a backdrop of physical, cognitive and psychosocial aspects of development, this course examines development and the effect of subjectivity on the individual's life experience. The aim is to increase empathy and understanding of any individual's developmental challenges and achievements throughout life.
The Counseling Role
Students explore the counseling role with its unique implications and value across personal and professional disciplines. Students develop an understanding of the stages of the counseling relationship and gain insight into their own strengths, weaknesses and desires as a helping professional.
Community Organizing and/or Social Movements
A course in this area provides students with the opportunity to study and experience aspects of community organizing ranging from the initiative process in Washington state to lobbying for a specific legislative action. It also would help students develop an historical understanding of social movements in the U.S. as well as conceptual frameworks and their application. The student is encouraged to develop connections between these aspects of community work and basic human needs. Sample courses that would meet this requirement include:
- Community Organizing in Action
- Nonviolent Social Movements
- Globalization, Development and Grassroots Movements
- Creating a Just, Peaceful and Sustainable Future
Literature (focus on the human experience)
A course meeting this requirement explores the value of the literary lens as it contributes to students' understanding of the human experience. Sample qualifying classes include:
- Border Crossing: A Multicultural Journey Through Film and Literature
- Contemporary Black Women Writers
- The American Family in Literature and Film
Social Issues
Courses in this area explore the application of historical, sociological and psychological perspectives to a specific social problem such as domestic violence, poverty or homelessness. The learning goals for courses in this area include both an examination of the factors which have contributed to the development of the problem as well as diverse approaches to addressing the issue on local, regional and national levels. Sample classes that would meet this core requirement include:
- Children and Social Policy
- Wealth and Poverty in America
- Women’s Health in Developing Countries
- Women and Mental Health
Sample Electives
- Literature classes
- History classes
- Wealth and Poverty in America
- Facilitating Democratic Participation
- Group Facilitation
- Community Organizing
Sample Community/Field-based Learning Experiences
- Service learning project working with Antioch's Homeless Women's Education Program
- Volunteer with one of Fremont Public Association's many programs — such as housing for low-income families or the food bank
- Undergo a training in child advocacy and then serve as a volunteer advocate
Sample Synthesis Projects
- Volunteer with Shanti (providing emotional support to people living with AIDS)
- Design a school for homeless high school age youth
- Analyze services of a senior center from the perspective of serving clients from different ethnic/racial backgrounds and make recommendations for programs that are more responsive to cultural/racial differences
- Write a thesis that examines government trends in funding for human services
- Write an extended essay that addresses changing social needs across lifespan stages
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