Integrative Seminar
HUMS 495
Spring 2007
Instructor:
Lia Willis, MSW, LCSW
316 St. Clair Hall
875-7530w
lwillis@ccis.edu
Office hours:
M 9:00-11:00
T 8:30- 9:00
W 9:00-11:00
Th 8:30- 9:00
or by appointment
Course Information
3 credit hours
T/TH 3:30-5:00 pm, January 9-May 1. St Clair 302
Final Exam: Thursday, May 3, 12:30-2:30 pm
Prerequisite: Human Services major, senior standing, and at least 24 hours in the major.
Required texts:
Payne, M. King, M. (2005) Modern social work theory. Lyceum.
American Psychological Association. (2001). Publication manual (5th ed). Washington,
DC: Author
National Organization of Human Services, Ethical Standards of Human Service
Professionals (available online)
Course Description
Required as a culminating experience prior to graduation.
Capstone course integrating prior learning while exploring
current research, contemporary issues, and practice theories
in Human Services. Grade of C or better is required.
Writing intensive. Emphasis is on creating expertise within
an area of interest pertinent to the career and academic goals
of the student. Students enrolled in this class are required
to take the major field test for Human Services.
Prerequisites: Human Services major, senior standing, and
at least 24 hours in the major.
Course Objectives
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To identify individual academic and career goals and
construct a plan to meet them
To identify an area of preferred practice within Human
Services and demonstrate an understanding of current
issues, developments, and research in that area
To explain and integrate major Human Services
models, perspectives, and theories into an identified
area of practice
To describe current research and policy developments
for an identified area of practice
Measurable Learning
Outcomes:
 Gather, assess, and communicate (through
presentations and papers) information about current
events, issues, and developments within the field of
Human Services
 Plan and lead discussions on professional topics
 Create a resume and a written plan for academic and
career goals
 Survey jobs in the Human Services field at the local,
state, and national level
 Create a concept map for a Human Services practice
model, perspective or theory
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



Gather, assess, and communicate (through
presentations and papers) information abo
events, issues, and developments within th
Human Services
Plan and lead discussions on professional
Create a resume and a written plan for aca
career goals
Survey jobs in the Human Services field a
state, and national level
Create a concept map for a Human Service
model, perspective or theory
Course Organization:
Note: Instructor reserves the right to make changes in syllabus, when necessary,
to facilitate student learning.
Date
Week 1:
Jan. 9, 11
Topics
Syllabus Review
Readings/Assignments Due
Pick your career field and derive
your final paper topic from that.
Theory Informs Practice: The Empirical
Basis of Modern Human Services Practice
(lecture)
Week 2:
Jan. 16, 18
Week 3:
Jan. 23, 25
Library Workshop: Stacks and
Databases
NOHS Code of Ethics
Jan 23 Guest Speaker: Mike Perkins
Concept maps
Students are expected to obtain a
copy of the NOHS code of ethics
from the web.
Students will learn about concept
maps and apply knowledge in
assignment.
Jan 25, work on concept maps
Week 4:
Jan. 30, Feb. 1
Week 5:
Feb. 6, 8
Week 6:
Feb. 13, 15
Week 7:
Feb. 20, 22
Theory Presentation
Jan.30: Stephanie-social
construction theory
Feb. 1: Jen-radical feminist theory
Feb. 6: Speaker Panel-class chooses which
agencies to be represented.
Feb. 8: Round table discussion: boundaries
Theory Presentation
Roundtable discussion: Career progression
and Continuing Education
Feb 13: Heather- Attachment theory
Feb 15: Lori-Existentialism
Students should bring in relevant
conference information
Week 8:
Feb. 27, Mar. 1
Theory Presentation
Feb 27: Stephanie- behavioral
theory
Mar 1: Steve: Systems theory
Week 9:
Roundtable discussion: Burnout
Students bring in articles about
Mar. 6, 8
Week 10:
Mar. 13, 15
burnout
Theory Presentation
March 13: Heather-Crisis
intervention
March 15: Lori-critical theory
Week 11:
Mar. 20-22
Week 12:
Mar. 27, 29
Theory presentation
Week 13:
Apr. 3, 5
Guest speaker: April 3rd
Don Malson
Career Services
Mock Interviews
Resume` Workshop
Career Presentation
Week 14:
Apr. 10, 12
Week 15:
Apr. 17, 19
Spring Break!
Career Presentation
M arch 20: Jen-task theory
March 22: Steve-systems theory
Class does not meet
Bring in your resume-does not have
to be perfect-just bring in the most
current resume you have.
April 10: Stephanie- Children’s
services caseworker
April 12: Heather-working with
adults with disabilities
April 17: working with the elderly
April 19: working with homeless
persons with co-occurring disorders
Week 16:
Apr. 24-26
Final Exam:
Thursday, May 3,
2007 12:30-2:30
During this class students will complete
the Academic Profile, an evaluative
instrument administered to graduating
seniors
Academic Profile April 24th,
Buchanan Hall computer lab
April 26: Lori-working with
juvenile delinquents
Evaluation and Grading:
GRADING
Weighting Scale
Item
Theory Presentation
Points
2 @ 25 points each
= 50
Career Presentation
50
Final Paper
100
Total Points possible
200
Points are not awarded for attendance, but five points will be deducted for each absence
after two absences.
GRADING SCALE
A =90 – 100%
B =80 – 89%
C=70 – 79%
D=60 – 69%
F=59% or less
Assignment Description & Guidelines
Theory Presentations: Requires a PowerPoint presentation, one page synopsis, two other
resources (book or journal article about this theoretical construct), and a concept map.
Class member will be responsible for an entire class period to include a detailed
presentation of the theory, answering questions, and leading a discussion.
Career Presentation: Survey of careers in your area of interest. To include local agencies;
state agencies; national agencies; specialized training, education or certification; salaries
and benefits; web sites; opportunities for promotion; interview with somebody working in
this area (can be in person, email, or via telephone – discuss with instructor); conferences
and associations; key theories and practice models that inform practice in this area; why
you chose this field; barriers to your entry; and political and legislative issues impacting
this area. What will this field be like in three – five years? Who are the top researchers
and or experts in this area? What is practice like in this area internationally? One basic
question you need to address is: Where are the jobs and how does one obtain a position
in this field? Class member will be responsible for an entire class period to include a
detailed presentation of the required information, answering questions, and leading a
discussion.
Final Paper: 15 pages with a minimum of 20 references. A complete survey of your field
of interest to include the history of the practice area, current trends, current controversies,
and a survey of current research/professional literature in the area.
Course Policies and Procedures:
A. Attendance and Class Participation: Your commitment to attend class
regularly and to be on time is very important. Students are allowed two
absences without penalty. 5 points will be deducted for each additional
absence. Students who miss more than 6 classes may be dropped from the
course with a grade of “F”. Students are expected to arrive on time, to avoid
disrupting learning. Students are allowed one tardy without penalty. 3 points
will be deducted each additional time the student is late to class. Students
more than 15 minutes late to class will be counted as absent.
B. Cell phones and pagers must be turned off during class. Students using phones
during class (including text messaging) will be asked to leave and will be
counted absent for that class.
C. Late Policy: Unless prior arrangements have been made and approved by the
instructor, no late assignments will be accepted. Students absent when an
assignment is due are responsible for submitting that assignment before class.
D. Academic Dishonesty/Misconduct: Engaging in plagiarism, cheating, or any
form of academic misconduct will result in an appropriate penalty, as outlined
and identified in Columbia College Academic Policies, Regulations, and
Procedures (see – undergraduate catalog). Committing an act of academic
misconduct will result in a grade of “0” points for that activity, and may result
in being dropped from the course with an F. If you are not certain as to what
plagiarism is, or have any questions about academic misconduct, then please
feel free to discuss the matter with me.
E. Library Resources:
Online databases are available at
http://www.ccis.edu/offices/library/resources.asp. You may access them from
off-campus using your eServices login and password when prompted
D. Students with documented disabilities who may need academic adjustments or
auxiliary aids or services for this course are required to register with the ADA
Coordinator, Shirley Wilbur.
Note: It is the expectation of faculty that students make a continuous effort to
improve their writing skills; writing and grammar will be considered in assigning
grades. Consult APA Publication Manual for proper citation of references.