SOCIAL WORK 602: Human Behavior in the Social Environment II
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Course Description
Human Behavior in the Social Environment II is the second of two Foundation courses. Students continue to apply basic frameworks for creating and organizing knowledge of human behavior. The course examines societal issues; impacts of racial, ethnic, class, cultural, religious/spiritual, and gender diversity on behavior; and the reciprocal nature of interactions of persons, families, social groups, communities, organizations, and institutions.
This course places a strong emphasis on understanding the processes that perpetuate oppression and unequal access. This includes an unequal access to power within political, social, and economic institutions and organizations. Institutional racism, sexism, homophobia/heterosexism, poverty, alienation, and other oppressive conditions play a role in shaping the lives of clients. Of special concern are groups experiencing social and economic injustices based on racial, ethnic, sexual orientation, socio-cultural, and gender characteristics.
Prerequisites
Admission to the Graduate program in Social Work, completion of SOWK 601, or permission from the instructor.
Educational Objectives
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
1. Illustrate an understanding of theoretical concepts as they apply to groups, organizations, and communities as social systems in which individuals live.
2. Identify the reciprocal interaction between human behavior and biological, psychological, social, cultural, spiritual, and socioeconomic factors in the attainment, maintenance, and deterrence of optimal health and well-being.
3. Differentiate the effects of discrimination, economic barriers, and oppression based on socio-economic class, race, gender, sexual orientation, age, mental and physical abilities, religion, etc.
4. Compare/contrast the structures and mechanisms of oppression and discrimination with principles and practices that contribute to the achievement of social and economic justice within the context of groups, communities, and organizations.
5. Appraise how the social work value of diversity relates to an understanding of human behavior from various theoretical perspectives and with specific emphasis on group, community, and organizational systems.
6. Integrate theoretical concepts learned in this course with the knowledge and skills learned in research, policy, and social work practice classes.
7. Apply critical thinking skills to analyze each human behavior theories’ usefulness as to how well its fits with the social work profession along several dimensions: values & ethics, bio-psycho-social-spiritual model, various size client, delivery, and social systems, and research method and empirical support.
8. Examine each theories appeal for acceptance for use in social work practice, research, and policy/advocacy.