SOC 376Introduction to Human Service Organizations

3 credits · Sociology · Penn State

This course is designed to acquaint students with the role of various social agencies. The course covers the history of social service organizations in the United States, with an emphasis on the growing diversity of theory and practice in human service settings. Focus is placed on understanding social service organizations through the conflict, symbolic interactionist, and functionalist perspectives. Other perspectives are also considered. The course centers on the kinds of social services that exist and their operation in society. An emphasis is placed on ethical behaviors and best practices in human services professions, with the goal of preparing students for work in social service settings.