Human Services (HSER) Courses
HSER 300 Introduction to Human Services
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:Eligible for ENGRD 310 or ENGRD 312 AND ENGWR
300; OR ESLR 340 AND ESLW 340.
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2022
This course is a comprehensive overview of the field of human services and an introduction to attitudes and methods that enhance communication skills in human relations and enable effective intervention in problem situations. It emphasizes the roles and skills of associate professionals, such as but not limited to drug and alcohol counselors, mental health workers, and activity directors with the elderly, and adolescent and child welfare assistants. It also emphasizes group techniques. An off-campus site visit is required.
HSER 310 Ethical Issues and Client's Rights
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Corequisite:HSER 300
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2022
This course is a comprehensive exploration of the basic ethical issues involving human services delivery. Topics include professional ethics, confidentiality, counselor and clients' rights, and other areas involving ethical controversies. This course is not open to students who have completed GERON 304.
HSER 330 Issues of Diverse Populations
- Same As:PSYC 365
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Advisory:Eligible for ENGRD 310 or ENGRD 312 AND ENGWR 300; OR ESLR 340 AND ESLW 340.
- Transferable:CSU; UC
- General Education:AA/AS Area V(b); AA/AS Area VI; CSU Area D; CSU Area E1; IGETC Area 4
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2022
This course is a study of the values, problems, issues, concerns, and counseling needs of diverse populations by race, ethnicity, class, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical/cognitive/emotional/developmental ability, and age. It also explores the cognitive and emotional aspects of prejudice as it relates to interpersonal, cultural, and institutional discrimination. This course is not open to students who have completed PSYC 365.
HSER 340 Introduction to Chemical Dependency
- Same As:PSYC 400
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Advisory:Eligible for ENGRD 310 or ENGRD 312 AND ENGWR
300; OR ESLW 340.
- Transferable:CSU
- General Education:AA/AS Area III(b); CSU Area E1
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2022
This course examines the biopsychosociocultural effects of chemical dependency on the individual and the family. It includes an analysis of alcohol and drug use; misuse and abuse across age, gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, and economic conditions contributing to substance abuse; and a description of community efforts at prevention and treatment. This course is not open to students who have completed this course's equivalent.
HSER 341 Physiology and Pharmacology: Alcohol & Other Drugs
- Same As:PSYC 401
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:HSER 340 or PSYC 400 with a grade of "C" or better
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2022
This course is a study of the absorption, metabolism, and the mechanism of action of alcohol and other psychoactive drugs including opiates, stimulants, depressants, cannabinoids, and psychedelics. It includes the pharmacological mechanisms as well as the social and psychological implications of tolerance, habituation, and substance abuse of the user and abuser. This course is not open to students who have completed PSYC 401.
HSER 342 Alcoholism: Intervention, Treatment & Recovery
- Same As:PSYC 402
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:HSER 341 or PSYC 401 with a grade of "C" or better
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2022
This course is a study and evaluation of techniques used in the treatment of alcohol dependency. This course will cover both physical and psychological effects of alcohol use, abuse and the impact on family and society. Topics include prevention, intervention, individual and group counseling, detoxification, twelve-step program, therapeutic communities, aftercare programs, harm reduction and addressing high risk drinking. This course is not open to students who have completed this course's equivalent.
HSER 360 Techniques of Interviewing and Counseling
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:HSER 300 with a grade of "C" or better
- Corequisite:HSER 310
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2022
The course includes: a survey of interview and counseling techniques appropriate for paraprofessionals in mental health, corrections, and substance abuse counseling. It includes case management practices and skills. Practices and skills include: interviewing techniques, using assessment forms, developing treatment plans, monitoring referrals, notetaking and documentation, learning and practicing effective communication.
HSER 362 Practices in Human Services
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Corequisite:HSER 365 and 498
- Enrollment Limitation:Completion of the American River College Human Services Agency Placement Process.
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2022
This course provides advanced study and applied integration of human services theory to prepare students for field experience. It cover techniques in applying concepts, values, and skills acquired in other core courses related to the process of helping others.
HSER 365 Techniques of Group Counseling
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:HSER 360 with a grade of "C" or better
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2022
This course covers the basic elements of group counseling with the goal of developing effective techniques for conducting groups. Ethical issues are compared and analyzed. Emphasis is on the use of facilitating skills, exploring group dynamics, understanding group procedures and knowledge of the stages of group process.
HSER 495 Independent Studies in Human Services
- Units:1 - 3
- Hours:54 - 162 hours LAB
- Prerequisite:None.
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2022
Independent Study is an opportunity for the student to extend classroom experience in this subject, while working independently of a formal classroom situation. Independent study is an extension of work offered in a specific class in the college catalog. To be eligible for independent study, students must have completed the basic regular catalog course at American River College. They must also discuss the study with a professor in this subject and secure approval. Only one independent study for each catalog course will be allowed.
HSER 498 Work Experience in Human Services
- Units:0.5 - 4
- Hours:30 - 300 hours LAB
- Prerequisite:None.
- Enrollment Limitation:Students must be in a paid or unpaid internship, volunteer position, or job related to human services with a cooperating site supervisor. Students are advised to consult with the Human Services Department faculty to review specific certificate and degree work experience requirements.
- Advisory:Eligible for ENGRD 310 or ENGRD 312 AND ENGWR 300; OR ESLW 340.
- Transferable:CSU
- General Education:AA/AS Area III(b)
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2022
This course provides students with opportunities to develop marketable skills in preparation for employment or advancement within the field of human services. It is designed for students interested in work experience and/or internships in transfer-level degree occupational programs. Course content includes understanding the application of education to the workforce, completion of Title 5 required forms which document the student's progress and hours spent at the work site, and developing workplace skills and competencies.
During the semester, the student is required to complete 37.5 hours of related paid work experience, or 30 hours of related unpaid work experience for 0.5 unit. An additional 37.5 or 30 hours of related work experience is required for each additional 0.5 units. All students are required to attend the first class meeting, a mid-semester meeting, and a final meeting. Additionally, students who have not already successfully completed a Work Experience course will be required to attend weekly orientations while returning participants may meet individually with the instructor as needed. Students may take up to 16 units total across all Work Experience course offerings. This course may be taken up to four times when there are new or expanded learning objectives. Only one Work Experience course may be taken per semester.
HSER 499 Experimental Offering in Human Services
- Units:0.5 - 4
- Prerequisite:None.
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2022
This is the experimental courses description.