Social Work (SW)

Formerly HS 1. This course is designed to identify and analyze the history and development of the social welfare and the societal institutions in urban and rural communities in the U.S. Working in the social work field is explored as a helping process with a wide range of systems and social work knowledge. Ethics, values, principles, professional relationships, interviewing and policies and procedures are also examined. Special attention is given to the tasks of culturally responsive social workers and human services workers in current service delivery settings.

Formerly HS 7. The course examines the cost of victimization to society. The existing resources will be examined. Suggestions for ways that resources can be expanded will be suggested. Career opportunities for working in this field will be presented. Classwork is supplemented by field site visits to several primary providers of service to victims and their families.

Formerly HS 15. This course is an overview of various disabilities and their etiology. It includes the study of methods and the processes involved in the adjustments of people and their families to various disabilities. It includes an in-depth analysis of stereotypes, prejudices and discrimination and the psychological factors involved with limiting persons with disabilities. An overview of the various social services available to persons with disabilities needed to allow them to return to as close to a normal life as possible is given.

Formerly HS 26. This course provides an overview of the social, psychological and biological effects of aging, emphasizing individual differences among older adults, including ethnic differences. Students will examine several theoretical perspectives, research methods, cognitive and developmental studies and how individuals are molded under these influences that change over time. Students will develop an overall understanding of key psychological and developmental terms, concepts, theories and important influences of human behavior over a lifespan.

Formerly HS 45. This course examines the many psychological, social and environmental stresses commonly experienced by persons living in a modern world with multiple responsibilities to manage. Specific ways to cope or more effectively manage these stressors will be presented. Material will include techniques to deal with individual, social & interpersonal issues including meditation, self-hypnosis and progressive muscle relaxation. Students will demonstrate their learning by creating a lesson plan for a training to be delivered in a group setting.

Formerly HS 207. This course is designed for persons who are interested in working in counseling/case manager roles in the human services field. Topics covered include developing techniques for volunteer, peer and para-professionals working in the people-helping fields. Students will develop skills in initiating, attending to, responding to, and personalizing assistance to clients. Small groups will be used to guide students through a learning sequence of listening and helping skills.

This course examines the background, development and methodology of non-violent, non-litigious conflict resolution skills with emphasis on theory and the practice of mediation. This course is designed for students and those working with individuals, groups or staff who deal with interpersonal conflicts in the alcohol & drug treatment community.

Formerly HS 260. This course is designed to provide the required academic training needed to qualify as a Certified Domestic Violence Counselor Training per Section 1037.1 of the California Evidence Code. Training shall include, but will not be limited to, the following topics: history of domestic violence, civil and criminal law as it is related to domestic violence societal attitudes towards domestic violence, peer counseling techniques, housing, public assistance and other financial resources available to meet the financial needs of domestic violence/intimate partner violence victims.