Introduction to Disability Studies:

Examines the impact of disability and other handicapping conditions on individuals, their families, and the community. Topics include adjustment to loss, attitudes of persons with disability towards themselves and those of others toward them, as well as problems and opportunities associated with specific conditions, such as disability, substance abuse, and criminal behavior. Physical, emotional, mental, and social dimensions throughout the lifespan are considered.

Fall 2008

Group Process: Human Services:

Principal theories of group process and group counseling as applied to rehabilitation, human services, and education contexts; major cognitive, affective, behavioral and systems approaches. Application to programs such as self-help groups, support groups, families, directed education groups, professional staffing, and therapeutic groups.

Introduction to Therapeutic Recreation:

This course will provide an introduction to the role of recreation in the rehabilitation process, identification of special groups to be served, and the therapeutic values of specific recreational activities for persons with disabilities. Emphasized will be the adaptations of facilities, equipment and attitudes. Ethical issues and safety considerations will also be discussed.

Introduction to Counseling and the Helping Relationship:

Major approaches to counseling are examined. The helping relationship and counselor characteristics are examined. Opportunity is provided for students to develop basic interviewing and counseling skills such as attending and responding. Students will gain insight into their own values, reaction patterns and interpersonal styles as important tools in understanding and helping others.

Spring 2009

Grantwriting:

This course introduces students to the grant writing process. Students develop the major components of a grant proposal including a project abstract, needs assessment, a program narrative with project goals, program evaluation, budget narrative and budget. Students also explore possible funding sources both public and private.

Casework:

Professional ethics and examination of casework processes of observation, assessment, person-centered planning, evaluation, recording, reporting, referral and case management; additional emphasis of issues in vocational and psychological adjustment.

Seminar in Professional Practice:

In preparation for the field experience (REH 395 and REH 495), students will investigate the nature of experiential field learning, research methods analyze career objectives, compile a portfolio, and prepare for individual interviewing. This is a writing-intensive course which focuses on the individual understanding of self and presentation style.