BRADLEY UNIVERSITY
SOCIAL WORK PROGRAM
SW 358 - Human Behavior in the Social Environment II
Spring 2003
Instructor: Wayne C. Evens
677-2392
E-mail: evens@bradley.edu
Office Hours: MWF
10:00 – 11:00 or by appointment
Class Schedule: T and TH 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. Bradley 224
Accommodation: Any student with a disability or special need
who requires accommodation should inform the instructor at the beginning of
this course.
Non-discrimination Statement: Students will be expected to display respect
of fellow students' and potential clients’ unique characteristics
including race, color, religion, creed, ethnic or national origin, age, veteran
status, disability, socioeconomic status, gender, sexual orientation,
appearance, and political orientation. All written assignments will use
non-discriminatory language.
Confidentiality: Any information shared in this course, which
is protected under legal codes or the NASW Code of Ethics must be
treated ethically.
Intercollegiate Competition: Any student representing Bradley University in
an intercollegiate competition may be excused from class for a scheduled event
if she/he discusses this with the instructor in advance and with the proper
documentation. Students will be allowed to make up any work; however, the
student has the responsibility to arrange this with the instructor.
Creation of a Proper Learning
Environment: The instructor
encourages students to ask questions and to critically evaluate class material.
However, this must be done while still creating a proper learning environment.
While the instructor understands that some students process learning verbally,
any behavior which disturbs the learning of others such as talking with peers
during a lecture or presentation by a peer will not be allowed and the student
will be asked to leave class. Students are encouraged to discuss with the
instructor any concerns or suggestions for improvement for the class as soon as
possible and not to wait until the end of the course. This allows the
instructor to modify the course to meet student needs as much as possible (see
attached classroom rules).
Generalist Practice Principles: The following eight, generalist practice
principles support all courses in the social work curriculum:
4. Generalist practice involves assessments and
interventions at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels.
5. Practice is based on the problem-solving
process and the 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 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.
Relationship to Other Courses in
the Social Work Curriculum:
This course is a continuation of SW 354. In SW 358, the relationship between
the environment and human behavior in large and small groups is examined. It
provides the theoretical framework on which social work skills for use with
families, small groups, and communities are based.
Course Description: This course will study the theories relevant
to working with small groups, families, and large groups including organizations
and communities from a generalist perspective. There will be particular
emphasis placed on the influence of diversity issues in the development of
theory and how practice interventions are derived from these theories. Students
will learn about the deconstruction of theory as relevant to inclusion of
diversity. Social work ethics will be examined as they relate to mezzo and
macro groups. Students will be asked to examine how their own learning and
values will impact their understanding of and practice at the mezzo and macro
levels. Learning methods will include assigned readings, lectures posted on
Blackboard, class discussion, the writing of a paper about a non-dominant group
and exercises applying theories to actual situations.
Course Objectives:
Students will gain
knowledge of:
Students will
develop the ability to:
Students will learn
social work values with regard to:
Resources:
Required:
Hutchison, E.D., Dimensions of
Human Behavior - Person and Environment, Thousand Oaks, California: Pine
Forge Press, 1999.
NASW Code of Ethics.
Learning Evaluation:
The final grade will be based on
points earned by successfully completing the assignments. A total of 250 points
are possible. Written assignments should be typed and double-spaced. Papers
should be grammatically clear, correct, and properly documented using APA style
and free from any bias. Assignments that are turned in past the due date without
the prior approval of the instructor will have the grade lowered 1 point per
day. Points will be earned as follows:
A. Reflection papers, 5 at 10 points
each, total 50 points
Students will write five reflection
papers integrating material from the text, Blackboard lecture notes and class
discussion. In these papers, students are expected to integrate and critically
analyze the materials. These will be due on Jan. 28, Feb. 11, Feb.
25, Mar. 11 and Mar. 25. The grading guide for these papers
is posted under Course Assignments on the Blackboard site.
B. Analysis of diversity on
Bradley’s campus 50 points
Using the theories covered in class
students will discuss how at least three theories would explain the current
status of diversity issues on campus, how this affects various groups, and
critically analyze how effective the theories are. The grading guide for this
exercise is posted on the website under course assignments. Due Apr. 15
C. Analysis of a macro interaction
50 points
Students will select a macro
interaction (the threatened or perhaps now occurring war with Iraq, the
Bankruptcy of United Airlines, or the Homeland Security Act are examples) and
use at least three theoretical positions to analyze the interaction, discuss
how this situation affects social policy, discuss how this macro situation
might affect social work practice and critically analyze the theories (include
your personal reflections on how useful the theory is for you). The grading
guide for this exercise is posted on the website under course assignments. Due
May 1
D. Final exam: The final will be
Tuesday May 13, 12:00 to 2:00. The final is comprehensive.
225 –
250 = A
200 –
224 = B
175 –
199 = c
150 –
174 = D
149 = F
Class Schedule:
Week 1: January 23 Introduction to the Course
Bio-psycho-social systems: review of
human behavior
Week 2: January 28, 30 Aspects of Human
Behavior
Critical Use of Theory and
Research
This section will review the basis
of theorizing and begin to examine some of the theories of mezzo and macro
systems.
Assignment: Hutchison - Chapter 1
Weeks 3 and 4: February 4, 6, 11, 13 Theoretical
Perspectives on Human Behavior
In this section, the class will
study theories relevant to mezzo and macro groups. Four basic paradigms will be
introduced along with an understanding of social structure. Included will be
Systems Theory, Conflict Theories, Rational Choice Perspective, Social
Construction Theory, Social Exchange Theory, and Social Behavioral Perspective
among others. Students will also look at how to evaluate theories and how to
select a theoretical perspective to guide social work practice.
Assignment: Hutchison - Chapter 2
Week 5: February 18, 20 The
Family as a Social Institution
The Role of Culture in
Families
This section will explore the role
of the family in society. Included will be discussions of the functions that
families serve, the various definitions of family including sociological vs.
legal, roles, and variations in family structure. Consideration will be given to
the influence of culture and to the changes in family structure across time.
Students will be expected to discuss how their individual definitions of
“family” developed and changed.
Assignment: Hutchison - Chapters 8
and 9
Weeks 6 and 7: February 25, 27,
March 4, 6 Identifying Family Well-Being
This section will explore ways in
which theorists have defined well-being in families. Included will be learning
about the family life cycle models, role theory, ecological models, conflict
theories, and the psychodynamic perspective. The strengths perspective will be
reviewed and students will be expected to assess how the theories of family
well-being are useful in assessing diverse families. The class will also look
at common problems in families such as divorce and remarriage and their
theoretical perspectives.
Assignment: Hutchison - Chapter
14
Weeks 8 and 9: March 11, 13, 25, 27
- March 13 – Test 1
Social Interaction in
Communities
This section looks at communities as
macro organizations. Issues of social policy will be emphasized including
immigration policies. Models of community development will be explained and
their relationship to social work practice examined.
Assignment: Hutchison - Chapter 11
March 18, 20 Spring Break, have
fun, but don’t let me see you on MTV!
Weeks 10 and 11: April 1, 3, 8, 10 Social
Interaction in Organizations
This section will look at
theoretical models for understanding organizational behavior. In addition to
the required readings and class lectures, the students will develop a simulated
social service agency and will use critical thinking to decide the implications
for various theoretical choices.
Assignment: Hutchison - Chapter 10
Weeks 12 and 13: April 15, 17, 22,
24 Issues in Diversity in Mezzo and Macro Groups
This section will focus on the
issues of diversity, prejudice, and discrimination as they influence family
development and functioning and social work practice. Theories about the
development of prejudice and discrimination will be studied as well as the effect
of both on family development. Institutionalized racism, ageism, and sexism,
will be explored and theories of ways to combat them discussed.
Week 14: April 29, May 1 Identifying
Special Concerns in Mezzo and Macro Groups
This section will look at certain
special issues. Groupthink will be explained. Students will also study managed
care as a theoretical concept.
Week 15: May 6 Ethics as
Related to Mezzo and Macro Groups
This section looks at the ethical
requirements for work with mezzo and macro groups including the ethical
responsibilities of supervisors and administrators in social work agencies and
of individual social workers to mezzo and macro communities.
Assignment: Review your copy of the
NASW Code of Ethics. Bring a copy to class.
FINAL EXAM: TUESDAY, MAY 13 12:00
- 2:00 p.m.-