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Thompson Rivers University
Thompson Rivers University

HUMS 1601: Human Service Field Education – Year 1

Students participate in a 190-hour blended community service learning practicum to establish linkages between human service knowledge, values, and skills. Students experience supervised opportunities to demonstrate self-knowledge and self-awareness, professional integrity, and positive working relationships in a human service agency. The focus is on the application of core human service concepts and the recognition of the knowledge to practice relationship.

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate self-knowledge and self-awareness in human service interactions and practice.
  • Demonstrate professional accountability and integrity in a human service practice setting.
  • Demonstrate professional conduct, boundaries, ethical behaviour, and a positive attitude towards clients, peers, and the agency.
  • Work collaboratively as a member of a team to promote project objectives.
  • Demonstrate professional, effective communication skills with clients, agency personnel, and other professionals.
  • Provide examples self-knowledge and self-awareness as they occur within worker—service user relationships.
  • Demonstrate respect for clients and an acceptance/understanding of differences in culture, lifestyle, and beliefs.
  • Achieve responsible self-care throughout the practicum.

Course topics

  • Lesson 1: Preparing for Social Services Worker Field Education
  • Lesson 2: Entering the Field Agency and Developing a Field Learning Plan
  • Lesson 3: Ethical Client-Centeredness
  • Lesson 4: Addressing Diversity in Practice
  • Lesson 5: Effective Communication and Conflict Resolution
  • Lesson 6: Final Evaluation and Endings

Required text and materials

The following materials are required for this course:

  1. Fujishin, R. (2020). Natural bridges: A guide to interpersonal communication. (2nd ed.). Routledge.
    Type: Textbook. ISBN: 978-0-367-18577-0

The following textbook would have been purchased in HUMS 1581. Students who did not take HUMS 1581 and/or don't already own the required textbook, will need to purchase it. To do so, please contact Enrolment Services at student@tru.ca or 1.800.663.9711 (toll-free in Canada), 250.852.7000 (Kamloops, BC), and 1.250.852.7000 (International).

  1. O’Hara, A., Weber, Z., & Levine, K. (2016). Skills for human service practice: Working with individuals, groups, and communities (2nd CDN ed.). Oxford University Press.
    Type: Textbook. ISBN: 978-0-19-901182-7

Additional requirements

  • A computer with Internet access, and audio recording capacity
  • PowerPoint, Prezi, or other presentation software

Assessments

To successfully complete this course, students must achieve a passing grade of 50% or higher on the overall course, and 50% or higher on the Final Mandatory Project.

Assignment 1: Orientation to Field Experience 20%
Assignment 2: Midpoint Evaluation 35%
Assignment 3: Interpersonal Communication 10%
Assignment 4: Final Field Evaluation 15%
Final Project: Media Presentation (mandatory) 20%
Total 100%

Please note that for this course to apply to the completion of your Social Service Worker Certificate, you must obtain a C grade (60%), or higher, overall in the course.


Open Learning Faculty Member Information

An Open Learning Faculty Member is available to assist students. Students will receive the necessary contact information at the start of the course.

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