Fall 2020  |  PA 5161 Section 001: Redesigning Human Services (20705)

Instructor(s)
Class Component:
Lecture
Credits:
3 Credits
Grading Basis:
A-F or Audit
Instructor Consent:
No Special Consent Required
Instruction Mode:
Partially Online
Enrollment Requirements:
MPA or Human Svcs Ldrship cert
Times and Locations:
Regular Academic Session
 
09/11/2020
Fri 08:30AM - 12:00PM
UMTC, West Bank
Science Teaching Student Svcs 131B
 
09/12/2020
Sat 08:30AM - 12:00PM
UMTC, West Bank
Science Teaching Student Svcs 131B
 
09/25/2020
Fri 08:30AM - 12:00PM
UMTC, West Bank
UMN ONLINE-HYB
 
10/09/2020
Fri 08:30AM - 12:00PM
UMTC, West Bank
Science Teaching Student Svcs 131B
 
10/23/2020
Fri 08:30AM - 12:00PM
UMTC, West Bank
Science Teaching Student Svcs 131B
 
11/06/2020
Fri 08:30AM - 12:00PM
UMTC, West Bank
Science Teaching Student Svcs 131B
 
11/20/2020
Fri 08:30AM - 12:00PM
UMTC, West Bank
Science Teaching Student Svcs 131B
 
12/04/2020
Fri 08:30AM - 12:00PM
UMTC, West Bank
Science Teaching Student Svcs 131B
Enrollment Status:
Open (16 of 19 seats filled)
Also Offered:
Course Catalog Description:
This course provides an in-depth examination of the history and institutions delivering human services in the United States, with an emphasis on how human-centered design can help improve service provision and outcomes. It explores how public, nonprofit, and philanthropic structures create unique operational realities and cultures that must be navigated to lead change across institutional boundaries. It also systematically investigates contributors to disparities in the human services system, particularly race. The use of frameworks such as human-centered design, human services value curve, and an equity lens will help us on this exploration. Course learning materials take students through a design process to highlight strategies for systems change and improvement grounded in outcomes. Design processes are iterative and involve understanding and engaging the people and context in problem solving. Through project-based learning approach, students will understand the various constraints that need to be navigated in design: feasibility, viability, and desirability. Students gain experience using design to help appreciate these constraints and develop strategies for overcoming them.
Class Notes:
Some class sessions will be face-to-face, others will be in synchronous, virtual meetings. There will also be asynchronous recorded lectures, videos, podcasts and readings, as well as virtual reading forums/threads to support the learning. Instructor will notify students once the schedule has been finalized. http://classinfo.umn.edu/?ongxx068+PA5161+Fall2020
Class Description:

In Human Services, family and community challenges are complex, long-term, and constantly evolving. Assistance is currently delivered through structures historically managed through command and control hierarchies and contracted out for specialized services. While it is important to understand the historical and institutional context that give rise to this regulatory approach, the challenge of a new era require leaders to question and think deeply about these institutions. It requires practices that produce novel ideas and the ability to make them tangible to others.


This course focuses upon the significance of human-centered design to improve service provision and outcomes. It focused upon two core competencies - design of integrative service delivery and systematic consultation of data & relevant research to inform decision-making. It explores how public, nonprofit, and philanthropic structures create unique operational realities and cultures that must be navigated to lead change across institutional boundaries. It also investigates some social contributors to disparities in human services delivery - particularly race and ethnicity. The use of analytical frameworks such as design thinking, human services value curve, and an equity lens will help us on our exploration.

Who Should Take This Class?:
To lead in the 21st century, human services professionals must possess interdisciplinary skills and innovative thinking to help transform public/nonprofit service networks so that they deliver better services and results. This course is the gateway offering in the University' of Minnesota's Certificate in Human Services Leadership. It also may be of interest to others planning to lead and manage in health and human services in the years ahead.
Learning Objectives:

At the end of this semester, you will:

  • Analyze current trends and opportunities for service integration and system improvements.

  • Understand how human-centered design serves as a complementary practice to science-based analytical problem solving. Apply both to current challenges.

  • Use the human services value curve as a blueprint to help orient change activities and improve public value.

  • Explore how racism and implicit biases influences the operations and outcomes of the human services system.

  • Understand and practice user-perspective, iteration, prototyping, and feedback as core principles in the work you do.

Exam Format:
There is no exam but rather a final paper
Class Format:
This is a hybrid course that meets together, face-to-face, every other week on Fridays.
Textbooks:
https://bookstores.umn.edu/course-lookup/20705/1209
Past Syllabi:
http://classinfo.umn.edu/syllabi/sandf002_ongxx068_PA5161_Fall2018.pdf (Fall 2018)
http://classinfo.umn.edu/syllabi/sandf002_ongxx068_PA5161_Fall2017.pdf (Fall 2017)
Instructor Supplied Information Last Updated:
8 July 2019

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