This course introduces the major policies and practices that are used to understand human strengths and challenges within the field of Human Services and Rehabilitation. The course explores the skills, values and knowledge base needed to effectively work as a culturally competent human service professional in multidisciplinary settings.

This course provides a general introduction to the multi-disciplinary fields of gerontology and disability studiies. It examines the growth and development of persons from both psychological and sociological perspectives as they deal with the issues arising from onset of disability and progression of aging, as well as their interplay over time. The interaction of the individual with the environment provides a framework for this course with special attention given to societal valuing and devaluing of disability and aging. Social roles, expectations, opportunities, and new perspectives on disability and aging in a broad sociocultural context are discussed.

This course develops competencies using evidence-based material, case studies, practice guidelines, interactive activities, and video examples. Participants will develop expertise in understanding, supporting and advocating for persons with neurodevelopmental disabilities, organic brain disease and their families. The interactive discussions provided in conjunction with required readings, assignments, and videos address screening, diagnosis and treatment of infants, children, adolescents and adults with developmental disabilities and psychiatric disabilities and their lives in our communities.

This course is designed to help students develop an understanding of addictions from an eco-systems perspective. The addictive process and recovery will be studied, including the reciprocal interaction between addicted individuals and the various social systems of which they are a part. Students will examine substance abuse and behavioral compulsions, including alcohol and other drugs, smoking, compulsive gambling, eating disorders, and sexual addictions. There will also be a focus on diversity in addicted populations, the business of drugs, and prevention. Attention will be given to biological and genetic factors in the etiology of addiction, family issues, and community responses. The consequences of addictions will be studied at the individual, family, community and societal levels. This course will draw on current research in the field of addictions, and will emphasize critical thinking, and analysis of the current controversies in the field.

This course is the capstone seminar in the HSR program, to be taken in the student's final year. Students will develop and present a new Human Services and Rehabilitation Plan Proposal which synthesizes and integrates content from previous human service course and practical experience into a plan that demonstrates competency as an HSR professional.