Is AHSC for you?
All of our programs deal with people, and our graduates find employment in every facet of society.
The 3 program streams are: Human Relations, Recreation and Leisure Studies, and Therapeutic Recreation. To help you decide, we’ve laid out what you can expect to learn.
Working with people
Working with people from different backgrounds
Diversity is a key element in the student body at Concordia, and diversity is central to AHSC's mission. Our graduates find employment working with many people and groups from diverse backgrounds. One of our courses, Respecting Diversity in Human Relations (AHSC 311), examines the significance of identity related differences, and students learn about the nature and effects of negative stereotyping and biases in individuals, institutions, and culture.
Working one-on-one with individuals
The course, Basic Counseling Skills and Concepts (AHSC 351), introduces students to counseling theories and develops an understanding for theoretical and value frameworks of the helping relationship.
Intervening in communities and/or organizations
All of our programs deal with intervention of some kind, either with individuals, communities, or organizations. Two courses, AHSC 270 and 370, deal with Human Systems Intervention and strategies.
Working with large and/or small groups
In each of our programs, group work is considered an essential component of the learning process. Most of our graduates find employment in group intervention settings, either using leisure as an intervention tool or facilitating group behavior and group process.
Working with disadvantaged people and/or groups
The Therapeutic Recreation Program uses recreation as an intervention for persons with potentially limiting conditions. Therapeutic Recreation professionals help address the leisure needs of individuals with limiting conditions, with the ultimate goal being healthy and independent leisure functioning.
Supporting social values
Saving the environment
One course, Leisure and the Environment (AHSC 333), is chiefly concerned with how society's leisure and recreation can contribute to the destruction of the natural environment, but more importantly, how we can use our leisure to contribute to saving the environment as well.
The importance of free time
The Leisure Sciences Program is chiefly concerned with the phenomenon of free time, specifically dealing with the social and cultural integration of individuals at leisure. The underlying philosophy of the program is based on the role that recreation and leisure play in a society that holds the work ethic at a high level of prominence.
Social injustice
Community problems and issues are discussed in many classes. Specifically, Community Development (AHSC 343 and AHSC 445), explores approaches to analyzing and defining community problems and issues.
Acquiring & honing your skills
Leadership
A core element of our department, each student has leadership courses as a required element of his/her curriculum. Faculty members within the Applied Human Sciences (AHSC) Department are on the cutting edge of leadership research and theory.
Holding a public special event
Many of our courses deal with Program Planning, and planning itself is a required element of the curriculum. In Community Recreation Planning (AHSC 371), students put planning theory into practice by organizing, running and evaluating special events for members of the community.
