BRADLEY UNIVERSITY                                              SOCIAL WORK PROGRAM

 

SW 354 Human Behavior in the Social Environment

Fall 2006

 

Instructor:         John Moody

                        Bradley 103

                        Phone: 677-4786 office

                        E-mail: moody@bradley.edu    

                       

Class Sessions: MWF  11:00-11:50

 

Office Hours:                M: 8:00-10:00 a.m. Tues: 8:00-11:00 a.m. Wed. 9:00-10:00 a.m.

                                    Or by appointment

 

Accommodation:          Any student with a disability or special need who requires

Accommodation should inform the instructor at the beginning of the course.

 

Non-Discrimination Statement:        Students will be expected to display respect for unique characteristics including race, color, religion, creed, ethnic or national origin, age, veteran status, disability, socioeconomic status, gender, sexual orientation, and political orientation in regard to all discussions, assignments, or interactions with fellow academic colleagues. 

 

Students representing Bradley in Competition:       Any student representing Bradley University in intercollegiate competitions (sports, speech, moot court, etc.) will be excused from class with the appropriate note verifying their participation in advance of the event.  Students will be allowed to make up work; however, the student is responsible for making these arrangements with the instructor. 

 

Generalist Practice Principles: The courses within the social work curriculum support the generalist perspective for social work practice.  The following 8 principles guide the development and implementation of the Bradley University Social Work Program’s curriculum and course content.

 

1.         A systems approach provides the basic framework for understanding the generalist practice perspective and planning interventions with multiple systems.

2.            Problems in living are presented from a person-in-environment perspective, with

focus on the transactions between individuals and the environment.

3.            Assessments and interventions must address both intrapsychic and environmental

            strengths and stressors.

4.           Generalist practice involves assessment and interventions at the micro, mezzo, and

            macro levels.

5.            Practice is based on the problem solving process and knowledge, skills, and

            values which are applicable across settings with diverse populations and in a

            variety of problem areas.

6.            Critical analysis of social problems is inherent in generalist practice and results in

            both practice and policy responses.

7.            Empirical research provides a solid foundation for both education and practice

            and generalist practitioners are expected to participate in practice evaluation

            activities.

8.            Generalist practice often requires the social worker to function in multiple roles

            depending on the needs of the client system.

 

 

I.                   Course Description

 

This course examines research and theory concerning interaction of environment with individual behavior.  Life span development, strengths approach, issues of diversity are emphasized as influences on individual development.

 

II.                Course Objectives

 

Students will be expected to demonstrate learning in the following areas:

Knowledge

 

1.                  Students will be expected to demonstrate knowledge regarding various practice theories as applied to individuals in their social systems.

 

2.                  Students will be expected to demonstrate knowledge regarding bio-psycho-social-spiritual developmental theories and how they explain individual development across the lifespan.

 

3.                  Students will be expected to demonstrate knowledge regarding the impact of diversity in race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, physical ability or disability, age, or socioeconomic status on individual development across the lifespan.

 

4.                  Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge regarding the impact on development from various social and/or environmental events for individuals across the lifespan.

 

Skills

1.                  Students will acquire the ability to apply critical thinking skills to theoretical knowledge regarding client systems of various sizes and types.

 

2.                  Students will be able to critically think about the differential application of practice theory to various client situations.

 

3.                  Students will acquire the ability to apply bio-psycho-social theories to client groups and diverse populations.

 

4.                  Students will acquire the ability to integrate knowledge regarding the impact of social and environmental events on development into assessment of individuals in their social systems. 

 

Values

1.                  Students will value how issues of diversity such as a person’s unique characteristics of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, creed, religion, age, veteran status, disability, gender, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, or political orientation can have an impact on the development of human behavior in a social environment.

 

2.                  Students will acquire a greater awareness of self and personal values and the nature of how this impacts on value and ethical conflicts in social work practice.

 

3.                  Students will understand that knowledge creation is dynamic and acquire the value of being life long learners in the development of knowledge, skills, and values for competent social work practice.

 

 

III.             Resources:

 

A.                 Hutchinson, Elizabeth D.  (1999). Dimensions of Human Behavior: Person and Environment.  Thousand Oaks, CA: Pine Forge Press.

On reserve

 

B.                 Hutchinson, Elizabeth D.  (1999). Dimensions of Human Behavior:

The Changing Life Course.  Thousand Oaks, CA: Pine Forge Press.

 

C.                 On reserve:

Readings will be listed in schedule on the syllabus.  These reserve readings are required readings, not supplemental readings.

 

IV.              Learning Evaluation

 

There will be 500 points for assignments throughout the course.  There will be three exams during the semester, each worth 100 points.  The final exam will not be comprehensive.   As in all social work classes, the active engagement and participation of students is essential for critical analysis of academic content.  Students will be assessed on attendance and active participation in class discussion with 100 points.  An oral presentation assignment will be worth 100 points.  See the attached page for explanation of final and oral assignment.  ATTENDANCE POLICY:

More than 3 absences during the semester could result in the drop of a letter grade.

           

 

Points will be distributed in the following manner:

            450-500 points = A

            400-450 points = B

            350-400 points = C

            300-350 points = D

 

SW 354 Course Schedule

 

 

Unit I               The Multidimensional Approach to Understanding Human Behavior

 

This unit will focus on the critical thinking and analytical skills and frameworks necessary for the evaluation of theoretical and empirical knowledge.   Critical analysis emphasizes the person in environment perspective and transactional viewpoints. 

 

 

Readings:          Chapter 1 in Hutchinson, The Changing Life Course

                       

                        Aug 25, 28, 30

 

Unit II             Theories and Perspectives for Practice

 

This unit will examine various perspectives and theories that are used in social work practice.  Application of various theories to client populations and problems will assert critical thinking skills.  Particular attention will focus on the applicability or goodness of fit of theories to populations of diversity and vulnerable populations. Critical thinking regarding the values and ethics of theories will be emphasized.  Particular theories

discussed include the system perspective, the conflict perspective, the rational choice perspective, the social constructionist perspective, the psychodynamic perspective, the develop mental perspective, the social behavioral perspective, and the humanistic perspective.  

 

 Readings:  Chapter 2 in Hutchinson, The Changing Life Course

                         Sept  1, 4, 6, 8

 

Unit III                        The Multiple Dimensions of Person

 

This unit examines the bio-psycho-social-spiritual nature of human existence. Each dimension is examined to understand how it contributes to individual development.

 

The Biological Person:  the biological, physiological, and chemical systems of the human body are discussed

Readings:  Chapter 3 in Hutchinson Person and Environment on reserve

                        Sept. 11, 13

 

The Psychological Person: this includes cognitive developmental theory of Piaget, moral developmental theory of Kohlberg and Gilligan, and psycho-social developmental theory o f Erikson

 Readings: Chapters 4 and 5 in Hutchinson Person and Environment on reserve

                 On reserve Chapter 7 from Erikson Childhood and Society on reserve

                        Sept.  15, 18, 20

 

Exam 1 Sept 22

 

The Spiritual Person:  Readings Chapter 6 in Hutchinson Person and Environment

                        Sept.  25, 27

 

           

Unit IV            Alternative developmental theories for diverse populations

 

This unit examines alternative bio-psycho-social developmental theories for people of diversity or vulnerable people.  This unit examines various theories of identity development for people of color, gays and lesbians, women, and people with disabilities.  Experiences of discrimination and oppression will be examined for impact on development.   Values and ethics of alternative theories will be examined. 

 

Readings on reserve:     Shriver, Joe M.  (1998). Human Behavior and the Social Environment: Shifting Paradigms in Essential Knowledge for Social Work Practice. Boston:  Allyn and Bacon.   Chapter 5

 

McGoldrick, M., Giordano, J., and Pearce, J.K.  (1996). Ethnicity and Family Therapy.  New York:  Guilford Press.   Readings to be chosen in Class.   Text on reserve.

Sept. 29, Oct. 2, 4

 

Oct. 6, class preparations for presentations, Oral presentations begin 11, 13, 16, 18, 20

 

FOUNDERS DAY:   October 21, NO CLASS BECAUSE YOU WILL ALL BE ATTENDING FOUNDER’S DAY CELEBRATION EVENTS.

 

Unit V             Pre-natal  Development

 

This unit will examine the interactions between and among human biological, social,

Psychological and cultural systems as they affect and are affected by human behavior will be examined   This unit will apply the various developmental theories to the age span of the pre-natal period.  This unit will look at typical development given an average expectable environment as well as developmental crisis encountered from disruptions in the environment. This includes fetal development, reproductive genetics, and pregnancy at various life stages.

 

Readings:  Chapter 3 of Hutchinson in The Changing Life Course

                        Oct.  23, 25

           

Unit VI            Infancy and Early Childhood Development

 

This unit examines the interactions between and among human biological, social, psychological, and cultural systems as they affect and are affected by human behavior.  This unit applies the various theories to the infancy and early childhood ages.  This includes examination of physical development, social development, and cognitive development.  Discussion includes the detrimental impact on development from environmental influences such as poverty, divorce, and violence.  The strength perspective of promoting resilience is discussed. 

 

Readings:  Chapter 4 of Hutchinson in The Changing Life Course

                         Oct.   27, 30,  Nov. 1

 

Unit VII          Middle Childhood Development

 

This unit will examine the interactions between and among human biological, social,

Psychological and cultural systems as they affect and are affected by human behavior will be examined.   This unit will apply the various developmental theories such as cognitive, moral, social, and spiritual, with the age span of middle childhood.  This unit will look at typical development given an average expectable environment as well as developmental crisis encountered from disruptions in the environment.  This includes the effects race, gender and, class on development 

 

Readings:  Chapter 5 in Hutchinson The Changing Life Course

Video: Seasons of Life volume 2

 

        Nov.  3, 6  

 

Exam II Nov. 8

 

Unit VIII         Adolescent Development

 

This unit will examine the interactions between and among human biological, social,

Psychological and cultural systems as they affect and are affected by human behavior will be examined.   This unit will apply the various developmental theories such as cognitive, moral, social, and spiritual, as well as theories on self and identity formation with the age span of adolescence.  This unit will look at typical development given an average expectable environment as well as developmental crisis encountered from disruptions in the environment.  This includes the effects delinquency, substance abuse, and sexuality.

 

Readings: Chapter 6 in Hutchinson The Changing Life Course

 

Nov.   10, 13

 

Unit IX            Early and Middle Adulthood

 

This unit will examine the interactions between and among human biological, social,

psychological, and cultural systems as they affect and are affected by human behavior.   This unit will apply the various developmental theories to the age span of early and middle adulthood.  This unit will look at typical development given an average expectable environment as well as developmental crisis encountered from disruptions in the environment.  This includes changes in family relationship roles and work roles.  

 

Readings:  Chapter 7 in Hutchinson The Changing Life Course

Video:  Seasons of Life volume 3

Video:  Seasons of Life volume 4

                        Nov.  15, 17, 20

Unit X             Later Adulthood

 

This unit will examine the interactions between and among human biological, social,

psychological, and cultural systems as they affect and are affected by human behavior.   This unit will apply the various developmental theories to the age span of later adulthood.  This unit will look at typical development given an average expectable environment as well as developmental crisis encountered from disruptions in the environment.  This includes role transitions of grand parenting, care giving, retirement, and institutionalization.  

                       

Readings:  Chapter 8 in Hutchinson The Changing Life Course

 

Video:  Seasons of Life volume 5

Elder Abuse

                       

                         Nov.  27, Dec. 1, 4

 

Final Exam: TBA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ASSIGNMENTS FOR SW 354

 

Oral Assignment:  100 points

 

Race and ethnicity are important factors influencing individual identity development.  Students will be expected to select a chapter from the book Ethnicity and Family Therapy which is on reserve.  You will have five groups to chose from that represent ethnicity and or race , Hispanics, African American, White Americans, Asians, and Jewish. In a group of five class mates you will discuss in an oral presentation the following: 

 

1. Why you chose this group? *Each group member must answer this question

2.  Discuss the history of this group from the book

3. Why is it important to know about this group?  Why is it important, not just what the

     book suggest as to why it is important?    Do you agree with what the book states?

     why?   Or why not?

4. What are the implications for working with individuals in the community and   

     for the client in terms of how the client may perceive you or the organization you

     represent? 

5.  Do you feel that the group you chose represent race, ethnicity or both?

Length of presentation 30 minutes

 

Grading

 

You will be graded on whether you answered all of the questions?

How well organized was the presentation?

Did it appear that the group put thought into the presentation as well critical thinking and has it resulted in greater awareness about self and assumptions about the group you presented

 

Was the presentation 30 minutes

 

 

*All students will be expected to attend, when not presenting complete the form below during the presentation.

 

Tips:

 

Have each person respond to one question

However, each person must state why they chose this particular group to research

Share personal experiences or experiences that you have learned from others that support the book or disagree with it

Share how a movie or television show has portrayed this group

Share what you thought before the reading and what you think now

 

    

SW 354                                   Human Behavior

 

 

                                    Learning Description (25 points)

Name__________                                                                   Date_______

 

 

  1. What questions do you have regarding this presentation? Or if you presented what questions have formed after having done presentation?

 

 

 

 

  1. What have you learned from the presentation that you did not know before?

 

 

 

 

3.  How has the presentation helped you as a social worker?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

S W  354                     Human Behavior

 

 

 

 

Sign up sheet

 

 

Oct 4  Hispanics

 

1.

2.

3.

4.

5

Oct 6  African-American

 

1.

2.

3.

4.

5

Oct 9 Anglo Saxon

 

1.

2.

3.

4.

5

Oct. 11, Asian

 

1.

2.

3.

4

5.

 

Oct. 13, Jewish

 

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.