Special Topics Symposium

Bachelor of Science in Human Services

HUS 420

Breyer State University
Instructor: Shawn C. George, MS, BSW

SYLLABUS

COURSE OVERVIEW: Welcome to Special Topics Symposium. I believe you will enjoy this course because it affords students the freedom of choosing their own topic of study, as well as their own books.

In order to thrive and excel in the human services profession, one must be able to prove themselves in their abilities to research subject matter and write papers on that subject matter in a clear and comprehensive manner. In this course you will write such papers and will acquire further knowledge pertaining to human services. I am here to assist you in this process so please, do not hesitate to communicate.

TIME FRAME: Students who successfully complete the symposium will receive ten (10) semester hours of college credit from Breyer State University. You will have a period of ten (10) weeks to successfully complete the symposium. Extensions may be granted for emergencies, sickness, etc. - each case is evaluated individually.

TEXTBOOKS: There is one (1) required textbook for this course and it's of your choosing, as long as it adequately relates to human services. You will pick out the book and submit it to me for approval.

EXAMINATIONS: There is one exam for this course: You must write a paper paraphrasing the key points of your entire book, in your own words. The last page or two shall be a summary of what the author(s) is or are trying to teach the reader, and it shall include your own thoughts on the subject. Your paper should be fifteen (15) to twenty (20) pages in length, depending upon the content in the book that you choose. It should be double spaced with 1.5 - inch margins.

GRADING: The grading scale is:

90-100% = A
80-89%   = B
70-79%   = C
0-69%     = F

I will grade your exam on the appropriateness of its content (so choose your book wisely), your synthesis of key concepts, organization, grammar, and your demonstration of how well you are able to communicate effectively and logically to human service professionals and other professionals and persons of business or government.

I will grade your assignment on its persuasiveness and how well you supported your belief in the effectiveness, efficiency, and need of your selected program. You will also be graded on appropriateness, synthesis of key concepts, organization, grammar, and your demonstration of how well you are able to communicate effectively and logically to in this case, someone such as a government official, but ultimately to human service professionals and other professionals and persons of business or government.

The average of your exam and assignment comprises your final course grade.

COMMUNICATION: You are encouraged to communicate with me. I am here to assist you in meeting your goals for this course in anyway appropriate and possible. Communication is primarily made through e-mails, but you may also call Breyer State University and ask for me. If I'm unavailable I'll try to get back to you to either talk or schedule a talk, no later than forty-eight (48) hours after you leave a message. If you'd prefer, we can also meet in the chat room.

COURSE OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of this course you should have a greater:

1). Knowledge - base of the vast area known as human services, social services, and social work.
2). Comprehension of social service agencies and programs.
3). Awareness and hopefully concern for your fellow citizens in need, such as the poor, disabled, battered, neglected, elderly, and addicted.
4). Understanding of what it takes to make a program successful in the eyes of its clients, employees, taxpayers and politicians.
5). Insight as to where you want to be working or what you want to be doing in the next year, 5 years, 10 years, and so on.
6). Skill - set in the evermore important area of writing.

INFORMATION: If you have any questions regarding this program, you contact the instructor at facultysgeorge@breyerstate.com.

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