This course explores the roots of crisis intervention from the turn of the last century to present day. The work of such contributors to the field as Stierlin, Lindemann, Caplan, Schneidman and Farberow will be discussed. A number of crisis theories and models will be studied. Students will have an opportunity to examine ethical, legal, multicultural issues and, current trends.

The work of the crisis interventionist frequently involves dealing with death and dying notifications. Students will study the Hendricks' model of death notification, acute grief reactions, notifying children and the elderly of a sudden death (homicide, suicide, accidental), sudden infant death and parental grief, the grieving person's reactions, what can be done to facilitate mourning, pathological grief, risk factors and, multi-cultural issues.

This course provides students with an opportunity to explore many of the issues related to domestic violence. Topics to be studied include: Battered Women Syndrome, Battering Cycle, Victim and Abuser Profiles and, immediate and long term effects on Children. Other subjects to be examined are the abuse of pregnant women, women with disabilities, multi-cultural issues and relevant legislation.

Students will learn about the emotional impact of victimization. The focus will be on victims of residential break and enter, children and trauma, victims of crime such as: those sexually assaulted, elders, and victims of hate crimes. There will be a special emphasis on the secondary victimization of friends, relatives, witnesses, first responders (police, firefighters, and paramedics), health care professionals, childcare and social service workers and the clergy.