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Introduction to human studiesIntroduction to Human Studies is a foundational course for students interested in becoming a public advocate, social worker, dietician, nutritionist, counselor, or community volunteer.
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Course Standards
Human Needs
1) Describe the different levels of human growth (using research such as Maslow’s hierarchy of
needs) and articulate the different characteristics of each level. Make a graphic that illustrates
the pattern of metamotivation as humans fulfill each type of needs.
2) Evaluate factors that impact human growth and physical development in areas related to
personality development, temperament, self-understanding, and interpersonal relationships
with family and peers. Make a chart/informational graphic of how each of these factors
contributes to building healthy relationships and their role of self-actualization in human
development.
3) Research the development of self-esteem and self-image in individuals. Create a list of factors
that promote and hinder the development of positive self-esteem and self-image. Formulate a
plan to build/improve self-esteem in a class project or school based project.
4) Cite specific textual evidence from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services to analyze necessary dietary practices and specific
recommendations for physical health, including dietary guidelines and meal plans. Research the
importance of balanced nutrition on human development and productivity, and the correlation
to mental health and wellness.
5) Compile and critique safety and sanitation procedures related to handling, preparing, storing,
and serving food from industry-approved technical manuals and government-published fact
sheets. Review general common laboratory safety procedures, including but not limited to
prevention and control procedures. Incorporate safety procedures and complete safety test
with 100 percent accuracy.
6) Research the management skills required of individuals in order to be productive members of
society. Identify the specific skills related to time management, organizational planning, and
professionalism necessary for success in diverse environments such as the workplace, and apply
concepts learned to produce specific recommendations in a written or graphic format.
Overview of Human & Social Services
7) Research and summarize the influence of significant contributors to the history and
development of counseling, human services and dietetics fields. Create a timeline that shows
when each of these major figures lived and worked. Major figures include, but are not limited
to:
a. Anna Y. Reed and Eli Weaver
b. Ellen Richards
c. Doris Calloway
d. James Lind
e. James Cattell
f. E. G. Williamson
g. Carl Pfeiffer
8) Research and analyze the ecological factors that inhibit optimal social, emotional, and physical
well-being of individuals. Create a graphic that illustrates the connections between the
environment and the physical or mental well-being of individuals, citing examples from local or
state health agencies.
Career Investigation
9) Compile and analyze real-time labor market data, including economic and demographic trends,
and compare with authentic vacancy announcements on local and national job boards. Use this
information to compare and contrast occupations by education requirements, job availability,
salaries, and benefits. Outline an educational pathway to obtain the necessary level of education
for a chosen occupation.
10) Examine licensing, certification, and credentialing requirements for specific counseling careers
within human services (careers include counseling, social services, and dieticians) at the
national, state, and local levels to maintain compliance with industry requirements. List the
requirements to obtain the credentials and what one must do to maintain the credential.
11) Examine requirements for career advancement to plan for continuing education and training.
Research professional development opportunities needed to keep current on relevant trends
and information within the cluster. Example careers include social worker, marriage and family
therapists, health educators, and mental health counselors.
Mental Health
12) Research theories of mental health and create a graphic illustration or presentation
summarizing the findings. Illustrations and presentations should include: key people in the
development of the theory, main points of the theory, and assessment of the extent to which
reasoning and evidence support the theory. Theories to research include, but are not limited to:
a. Developmental Theory
b. Behavioral Theory
c. Cognitive-Behavioral Theory
13) Investigate the physiological effects of stress and crisis using research from the National
Institute of Mental Health. Synthesize the information to identify the types of crises and create a
graphic illustration of appropriate responses, management strategies, and technology available
to meet individual and family needs during crisis situations.
14) Using investigative research, prepare a presentation or informative essay that explains the
coping methods for individuals suffering from disorders, stress, or traumatic events.
15) Write a research paper or conduct a project on a current mental and social health issue using
appropriate digital search resources and academic writing. Topics might include but are not
limited to:
a. Teenage Pregnancy
b. Peer Pressure
c. Substance abuse
d. Bullying/Cyberbullying
e. Eating disorders/Emotional eating
Communication Skills
16) Develop and practice active listening skills including: identification of speaker’s major points,
focusing on speaker’s message rather than listener’s response, discriminating between fact and
opinion, and verifying interpretation of message. Use appropriate note taking techniques and
overcome communication barriers by treating the speaker with courtesy and respect. Seek
clarity of reception of communication by responding to verbal messages and other cues such as
body language by rephrasing statements and asking questions.
17) Compare and contrast skills for communicating professionally as well as informally in everyday
social interactions. Differentiate between verbal and nonverbal communication. List specific
techniques for effective communication and evaluate how different cultures attach different
meanings to communication techniques.
18) Practice communication skills by participating in role-play exercises and critiquing the role-play
exercises of others. Demonstrate specific techniques for building rapport with the client or
others.
The following artifacts will reside in the student’s portfolio:
o Human Needs artifacts
o Management Resources recommendations
o Career Fact artifact
o Occupation graphic
o Summary of Theories of Mental Health artifact
o Stress & Crisis Informational resource
o Communication Skills artifacts
Human Needs
1) Describe the different levels of human growth (using research such as Maslow’s hierarchy of
needs) and articulate the different characteristics of each level. Make a graphic that illustrates
the pattern of metamotivation as humans fulfill each type of needs.
2) Evaluate factors that impact human growth and physical development in areas related to
personality development, temperament, self-understanding, and interpersonal relationships
with family and peers. Make a chart/informational graphic of how each of these factors
contributes to building healthy relationships and their role of self-actualization in human
development.
3) Research the development of self-esteem and self-image in individuals. Create a list of factors
that promote and hinder the development of positive self-esteem and self-image. Formulate a
plan to build/improve self-esteem in a class project or school based project.
4) Cite specific textual evidence from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services to analyze necessary dietary practices and specific
recommendations for physical health, including dietary guidelines and meal plans. Research the
importance of balanced nutrition on human development and productivity, and the correlation
to mental health and wellness.
5) Compile and critique safety and sanitation procedures related to handling, preparing, storing,
and serving food from industry-approved technical manuals and government-published fact
sheets. Review general common laboratory safety procedures, including but not limited to
prevention and control procedures. Incorporate safety procedures and complete safety test
with 100 percent accuracy.
6) Research the management skills required of individuals in order to be productive members of
society. Identify the specific skills related to time management, organizational planning, and
professionalism necessary for success in diverse environments such as the workplace, and apply
concepts learned to produce specific recommendations in a written or graphic format.
Overview of Human & Social Services
7) Research and summarize the influence of significant contributors to the history and
development of counseling, human services and dietetics fields. Create a timeline that shows
when each of these major figures lived and worked. Major figures include, but are not limited
to:
a. Anna Y. Reed and Eli Weaver
b. Ellen Richards
c. Doris Calloway
d. James Lind
e. James Cattell
f. E. G. Williamson
g. Carl Pfeiffer
8) Research and analyze the ecological factors that inhibit optimal social, emotional, and physical
well-being of individuals. Create a graphic that illustrates the connections between the
environment and the physical or mental well-being of individuals, citing examples from local or
state health agencies.
Career Investigation
9) Compile and analyze real-time labor market data, including economic and demographic trends,
and compare with authentic vacancy announcements on local and national job boards. Use this
information to compare and contrast occupations by education requirements, job availability,
salaries, and benefits. Outline an educational pathway to obtain the necessary level of education
for a chosen occupation.
10) Examine licensing, certification, and credentialing requirements for specific counseling careers
within human services (careers include counseling, social services, and dieticians) at the
national, state, and local levels to maintain compliance with industry requirements. List the
requirements to obtain the credentials and what one must do to maintain the credential.
11) Examine requirements for career advancement to plan for continuing education and training.
Research professional development opportunities needed to keep current on relevant trends
and information within the cluster. Example careers include social worker, marriage and family
therapists, health educators, and mental health counselors.
Mental Health
12) Research theories of mental health and create a graphic illustration or presentation
summarizing the findings. Illustrations and presentations should include: key people in the
development of the theory, main points of the theory, and assessment of the extent to which
reasoning and evidence support the theory. Theories to research include, but are not limited to:
a. Developmental Theory
b. Behavioral Theory
c. Cognitive-Behavioral Theory
13) Investigate the physiological effects of stress and crisis using research from the National
Institute of Mental Health. Synthesize the information to identify the types of crises and create a
graphic illustration of appropriate responses, management strategies, and technology available
to meet individual and family needs during crisis situations.
14) Using investigative research, prepare a presentation or informative essay that explains the
coping methods for individuals suffering from disorders, stress, or traumatic events.
15) Write a research paper or conduct a project on a current mental and social health issue using
appropriate digital search resources and academic writing. Topics might include but are not
limited to:
a. Teenage Pregnancy
b. Peer Pressure
c. Substance abuse
d. Bullying/Cyberbullying
e. Eating disorders/Emotional eating
Communication Skills
16) Develop and practice active listening skills including: identification of speaker’s major points,
focusing on speaker’s message rather than listener’s response, discriminating between fact and
opinion, and verifying interpretation of message. Use appropriate note taking techniques and
overcome communication barriers by treating the speaker with courtesy and respect. Seek
clarity of reception of communication by responding to verbal messages and other cues such as
body language by rephrasing statements and asking questions.
17) Compare and contrast skills for communicating professionally as well as informally in everyday
social interactions. Differentiate between verbal and nonverbal communication. List specific
techniques for effective communication and evaluate how different cultures attach different
meanings to communication techniques.
18) Practice communication skills by participating in role-play exercises and critiquing the role-play
exercises of others. Demonstrate specific techniques for building rapport with the client or
others.
The following artifacts will reside in the student’s portfolio:
o Human Needs artifacts
o Management Resources recommendations
o Career Fact artifact
o Occupation graphic
o Summary of Theories of Mental Health artifact
o Stress & Crisis Informational resource
o Communication Skills artifacts