Human Services (HUSV)

HUSV 1000. Human Services at Northeastern. (1 Hour)

Intended for first-year students in the College of Social Sciences and Humanities. Introduces students to liberal arts; familiarizes them with their major; develops the academic skills necessary to succeed (analytical ability and critical thinking); provides grounding in the culture and values of the University community; and helps to develop interpersonal skills—in short, familiarizes students with all skills needed to become a successful university student.

HUSV 1101. Social Change and Human Services. (4 Hours)

Offers students an opportunity to obtain a foundation for understanding social inequality and for practicing in the human services field. Introduces students to a range of specializations in the area of human services through lectures, service-learning, group work, individual projects, papers, debates, and presentations. Analyzes and applies ethical frames for practice using case studies and service-learning experiences. Additionally, students are expected to develop an understanding of the history of nonprofit and government responses to inequality and the social, political, and economic forces that influence social professionals.

Attribute(s): NUpath Integration Experience, NUpath Societies/Institutions

HUSV 1990. Elective. (1-4 Hours)

Offers elective credit for courses taken at other academic institutions. May be repeated without limit.

HUSV 2200. Psychological First Aid. (1 Hour)

Introduces the fundamentals of PFA, or Psychological First Aid, to students new to postdisaster work. PFA is the practice of recognizing and responding to the mental health of people experiencing crisis-related stress in the short-term aftermath of a disaster. This stress can impact people's physical, mental, psychological, and spiritual well-being. Explores the ways in which the evidence-based practice of PFA can help people increase their resilience and recover from the impact of psychological trauma. Offers students an opportunity to develop skills for responding in the aftermath of a variety of crises including pandemics, accidents, robberies, suicide, homicide, and community violence. Also offers students a foundation in crisis intervention theory. Students engage in case studies, role-plays, critical incident reviews, journals, and an examination.

HUSV 2300. Counseling in Human Services. (4 Hours)

Presents an overview of the major theoretical approaches to counseling and therapeutic interventions. Focuses on developing clinical skills and competency in intentional interviewing. Combines systemic group exercises and experiential activities to practice interviewing techniques. Cross-cultural issues in counseling are integrated throughout the course.

Prerequisite(s): (ENGW 1111 with a minimum grade of C or ENGW 1102 with a minimum grade of C ); (HUSV 1101 (may be taken concurrently) with a minimum grade of C or PSYC 1101 (may be taken concurrently) with a minimum grade of C )

Attribute(s): NUpath Difference/Diversity, NUpath Writing Intensive

HUSV 2320. Techniques in Individual and Group Counseling. (4 Hours)

Provides in-depth understanding of clinical practice with individuals, groups, and families. Focuses on developing practice skills through presentations, case studies, and self-reflection journals. Examines the role of spirituality within one’s clinical practice. Explores theoretical techniques and their applications in a variety of settings, with particular attention to populations at risk.

Prerequisite(s): HUSV 2300 with a minimum grade of D-

Attribute(s): NUpath Difference/Diversity

HUSV 2340. Mindfulness in Mental Health. (4 Hours)

Explores mindfulness and its relationship to human services. Mindfulness is practiced in myriad human services settings, including schools, mental health facilities, medical settings, and prisons. Traces the development of mindfulness from its origins in Buddhism, to early adoption and integration with Western mental health ideologies, to the ways it is currently being integrated in social service organizations. Explores the inherent tensions in adopting a practice embedded in ancient non-Western cultures to Western thinking, healing, and psychotherapy. Examines the ways culture, identity, and power have shaped the presentation and proliferation of mindfulness.

Attribute(s): NUpath Interpreting Culture

HUSV 2355. Race, Identity, Social Change, and Empowerment. (4 Hours)

Examines racism, racial identity, and theories of social change and racial empowerment primarily within the U.S. context. Highlights different ways in which racism and racial privilege have been experienced by different racial communities, more specifically at the micro-, meso-, and macro-levels. Offers students an opportunity to learn ways to promote racial empowerment and equity. Using theory from primarily psychology and sociology, the course investigates the impact of social systems and institutions on individual-level and group experiences of racism. Investigates students’ own racial identities, a deeper understanding of institutional inequalities and intersectionality, and practical skills in leadership and community building that can promote positive social change and racial equality.

Prerequisite(s): ENGW 1102 (may be taken concurrently) with a minimum grade of C or ENGW 1111 (may be taken concurrently) with a minimum grade of C or ENGW 1113 (may be taken concurrently) with a minimum grade of C or ENGW 1114 (may be taken concurrently) with a minimum grade of C

Attribute(s): NUpath Difference/Diversity

HUSV 2370. Restorative Justice: Transforming the System. (4 Hours)

Explores the roots of restorative justice and locates contemporary examples of its application in various settings in the United States and the world. Examines its utility in addressing the mass incarceration crisis and the current penal system and mode of punishment in the United States. Students practice and apply critical race and systems theories to use a systems lens to examine the impact of racism, sexism, gender discrimination, and other systems of oppression on behavior and the justice system.

Attribute(s): NUpath Integration Experience

HUSV 2401. Food Justice and Community Development. (4 Hours)

Uncovers and examines the key dilemmas of the food system in the United States today using readings, media, discussion, service-learning, and field trips. Working from the foundations of environmental justice and community development, covers production, access, distribution, and key stakeholders from producers to retailers, workers, and consumers. Considers what justice-related issues face stakeholders within the food system in the United States; what policies have most impacted the workforce in the American food system; and what the opportunities and leverage points are for change in improving justice outcomes in this system.

Attribute(s): NUpath Integration Experience

HUSV 2440. Expressive Therapy. (4 Hours)

Examines foundational practices and theory in expressive therapies. Considers the ways that expressive therapies are used in clinical and community-based settings as a tool to improve well-being and mental health. Explores expressive modalities such as the visual arts, performing arts, movement, music, and creative writing. Special attention is given to contemporary topics including trauma, human development, and social and economic inequalities. Considers the application of expressive therapies in different settings, such as schools, hospitals, residential programs, and prisons.

Attribute(s): NUpath Creative Express/Innov

HUSV 2500. Science of Play. (4 Hours)

Examines the scholarship of play. Explores the role and function, benefits, and barriers of play in child development. Topics include the background and significance of play in history; the role of play as a predictor of academic and social functioning; and the use of play in character/moral development and to prevent, intervene, and treat trauma. Explores clinical and nonclinical implications of play, as well as the physiological and social implications of play, using contemporary research on brain science and development. Combines classroom learning with fieldwork experiences throughout the local Boston community and independent research on the role of play as prevention, intervention, and treatment. Students develop service-based research projects with community partners to address key questions related to the science of play.

Attribute(s): NUpath Integration Experience, NUpath Societies/Institutions

HUSV 2800. Sexual Orientation and Gender Expression. (4 Hours)

Introduces students to efforts among social and nonprofit organizations working to reduce heterosexism, homophobia, and transphobia in institutions, communities, and the society as a whole. Discusses practice across the life span for social professionals (social workers, counselors, advocates, and educators) in varied settings such as criminal justice, mental health, adoption, adult day health, and residential programs. Applying theories and current scholarship on LGBTQQ identity development, social movements, media, and advocacy, offers students an opportunity to evaluate contemporary issues of controversy for institutions, social practitioners, and policy. HUSV 2800 and WMNS 2800 are cross-listed.

Attribute(s): NUpath Difference/Diversity

HUSV 2950. International Human Services. (4 Hours)

Examines human service organizations from an international perspective. Through classroom lectures, guest speakers, and field experience, exposes students to how culturally relevant human service programming is developed/administered. Students participate in lectures, small-group work, and field experience.

HUSV 2960. Intercultural Studies through Human Services. (4 Hours)

Examines the social, political, and economic forces that influence how nongovernment organizations develop and operate in settings abroad. Compares predominant theoretical and philosophical orientations for poverty reduction and social impact. Students analyze and compare popular preventative and reactive interventions for change such as public health approaches, the use of aid, microlending, philanthropic funding, and sustainable development organizations. This intensive, integrated course applies lectures, presentations, case studies, meetings with local stakeholders, and service-learning.

Attribute(s): NUpath Difference/Diversity, NUpath Integration Experience, NUpath Societies/Institutions

HUSV 2970. Research Methods for Human Services. (4 Hours)

Offers an introduction to social science research that examines the theoretical and ethical foundations of social research methods. Highlights foundation knowledge and skills in hypothesis testing, research design, sampling strategies, measurement techniques, and basic data analysis and interpretation. Focuses on program evaluation to provide an opportunity for students to link social science research methods to direct human service practice.

Prerequisite(s): HUSV 1101 with a minimum grade of D-

Attribute(s): NUpath Analyzing/Using Data

HUSV 2990. Elective. (1-4 Hours)

Offers elective credit for courses taken at other academic institutions. May be repeated without limit.

HUSV 3520. Child Intervention and Treatment. (4 Hours)

Compares and contrasts primary, secondary, and tertiary levels of intervention as they pertain to child welfare systems. Examines specifically the effectiveness and efficiency of home-visiting-based interventions, school-based interventions, child welfare interventions, and programs and practices targeted to reduce and eliminate juvenile delinquency. Considers the availability, distribution, and effectiveness of these prevention, intervention, and treatment programs as they apply to children and their families. Hands-on service learning in the field of child intervention is designed to link the course work on research and theory to human service practice.

Attribute(s): NUpath Difference/Diversity, NUpath Societies/Institutions

HUSV 3540. Substance Use and Social Justice. (4 Hours)

Analyzes the intersections of substance use with forms of oppression from a social justice harm reduction lens. Presents the complex interactions of biological, psychological, and social determinants of health as they relate to substance use and misuse. Explores the nature, etiology, and treatment of substance use disorders and how they relate to the health and human services field. Offers students an opportunity to obtain the requisite foundation knowledge of, and skills in, evidence-informed substance use prevention, education, and treatment with individuals, groups, families, organizations, and communities.

HUSV 3570. The Nonprofit Sector, Philanthropy, and Social Change. (4 Hours)

Offers students an opportunity to explore the nonprofit sector’s multifaceted role in U.S. society and its relationship to democracy and social change. Introduces theoretical and practical frameworks for examining contemporary models of nonprofit and philanthropic practice and examines the ethical implications of engaging in and funding activities designed to effect social change. Offers students an opportunity to apply these concepts by mapping the complex systems within which social challenges emerge and by making real dollar grants to local nonprofit organizations.

Attribute(s): NUpath Ethical Reasoning, NUpath Societies/Institutions

HUSV 3580. Sexual Violence: Counseling, Programs, and Policy. (4 Hours)

Offers an in-depth examination of sexual violence, its effects, and the resources available to assist survivors. Presents an overview of the criminal justice, medical, legal, and counseling systems and the impact these interweaving systems have on survivors. Offers students an opportunity to develop crisis counseling competency through group exercises and experiential activities. HUSV 3580 and WMNS 3580 are cross-listed.

HUSV 3590. Nonprofit Communications. (4 Hours)

Seeks to provide an understanding of the role of strategic communications in the nonprofit sector and to bridge theory with practice to develop communications strategies that support organizational goals and effectively move targeted audiences to action through appropriate and measured tactics. Examines case studies and engages in group work and individual papers that connect mission and goal setting with audience identification and segmentation, issue framing, message development, and communication. Offers students an opportunity to apply the course concepts in a service-learning partnership with an area nonprofit organization.

Attribute(s): NUpath Integration Experience

HUSV 3900. Social Policy. (4 Hours)

Examines how social policy influences child, family, and community development. Provides a historical overview and a contemporary examination of many social problems, including poverty, health and mental health issues, child welfare, educational inequality, and consequences of juvenile and adult crime. Examines the policies and programs that help or hinder positive individual, family, and community development and considers the role of human service values and ethics on the American response to social policy. Offers students an opportunity to examine and critique the implementation or lack of implementation of formal social policies at the local, state, and federal level and to suggest initiatives to meet the needs of intergenerational families.

Attribute(s): NUpath Societies/Institutions

HUSV 3990. Elective. (1-4 Hours)

Offers elective credit for courses taken at other academic institutions. May be repeated without limit.

HUSV 4700. Senior Seminar in Human Services. (4 Hours)

Examines emerging roles and career options within the human services field. Focuses on self-examination of attitudes and values affecting delivery of services, exploration of ethical issues and dilemmas relevant to human services, grant and funding issues, staff supervision and development within human services agencies, and refinement of group leadership skills.

Attribute(s): NUpath Capstone Experience, NUpath Writing Intensive

HUSV 4970. Junior/Senior Honors Project 1. (4 Hours)

Focuses on in-depth project in which a student conducts research or produces a product related to the student’s major field. Combined with Junior/Senior Project 2 or college-defined equivalent for 8-credit honors project. May be repeated without limit.

HUSV 4971. Junior/Senior Honors Project 2. (4 Hours)

Focuses on second semester of in-depth project in which a student conducts research or produces a product related to the student’s major field. May be repeated without limit.

Prerequisite(s): HUSV 4970 with a minimum grade of D-

HUSV 4990. Elective. (1-4 Hours)

Offers elective credit for courses taken at other academic institutions. May be repeated without limit.

HUSV 4991. Research. (4 Hours)

Offers an opportunity to conduct research under faculty supervision.

Attribute(s): NUpath Integration Experience

HUSV 4992. Directed Study. (1-4 Hours)

Offers independent work under the direction of members of the department on a chosen topic. Course content depends on instructor. May be repeated without limit.

HUSV 4994. Human Services Internship. (6 Hours)

Requires students to fulfill one internship placement during the last two years of the program. Consists of required field site hours and varies according to the students’ interests. Examples of placement sites include community centers, nursing homes, vocational workshops, state and federal agencies for children, and recreational facilities. Experiences are supervised by internship supervisor to maximize the student’s learning opportunities. Fulfills the experiential education requirement. May be repeated without limit.

Attribute(s): NUpath Integration Experience