SW 367 Human Behavior in Social Environment

 

Steven D. Hay, MSW, Ph.D.

 

Course Description:

This course introduces social work's perspective on human behavior and the social environment.  A social systems approach is used to focus on the bio-psycho-social context of human development.  Relationships between life-span issues and the understanding of person-environment transactions and use of the *generalist social work method with individuals, families, groups, organizations, communities, culture and society are all areas of study.  Discussion of empirical theories and knowledge about the interaction between and among systems.  The ways in which social systems promote or deter people in maintaining or achieving health and well being is explored.

 

Generalist practice in the BYU-Idaho Social Work program is characterized by:

(1) Entry level social work practice wherein the student has acquired core knowledge for social work practice; including development of knowledge and skill to engage in professional relationship, identifying issues, problems, resources, assessments, appropriate intervention, evaluation, and termination with diverse client systems (individual, family, group, organization, and community).

 

(2) Operation from a multidimensional perspective i.e. multiple theoretical perspectives, (systems theory, ecological theory) and a holistic foundation.

 

(3) Generalist practice is carried out using professional values/ethics, appreciation, sensitivity to human diversity, and the pursuit of social and economic justice.

 

Course Requirements:

Fulfill course objectives which relate to program objectives this will be done by examinations on material covered in readings, and lecture discussions.  There will be four exams including the final.  Complete quizzes over reading and discussion materials.  Exams and quizzes will cover social systems theory, ecological theory, biological and life span developmental theories, sociological and community theories relative to transactions with individuals, families, groups, organizations, communities, culture and society.  

Small group learning experiences will consist of students discussing various life span issues within the context of social systems thinking and the reciprocal nature of person-environment transactions to develop an appreciation for socio-cultural, institutional, environmental, and spiritual influences in relations to human culture and diversity.  Groups will report their findings to the class. The purpose of these group learning exercises is to integrate knowledge about person-environment-problem cluster.

Two writing assignments will be required on life-span issues and/or social systems person-in-the-environment triplex.  These writing assignments will require a critical analysis of journal articles that deal with empirical knowledge about the interaction between and among systems. The writing assignments will integrate theoretical models using micro, messo and macro systems analysis as applied to the article.   The goal being to critically think about how social systems enhance or detract from clients maintaining or achieving well being.

Course Goals & Objectives:

Listed under each objective is the relationship of the course objective to the overall social work program objectives -(see social work program  objectives below course objectives for an explanation of numbers following course objectives).  The student will:

1. Understand Social Systems Theory as a back drop for understanding organizational functioning and human behavior within the context of community and social institutions.  Identify the ways in which these social systems contribute to or deter from psycho-social functioning (1,6,7,10).

2.  Study the reciprocal nature of person-environment transactions.

(1,2,3,4,6,7,10)

3.  Develop an appreciation for socio-cultural, institutional, environmental, and spiritual       influences in relation to human culture and diversity.(1,3,4,6,7,10)

4.  Study of life-span issues, to learn and appreciate how developmental theories and/or constructs influence, guide, and direct peoples lives.(1,3,6,7,10)

5.  Focus on human behavior that takes into account the interaction between the individual and his or her environment.   (1,6,7,10)

6.  Develop a social work perspective on human behavior and the social environment.  To appreciate social institutions established to support and enhance human growth and development.(7)

7.  Be introduced to methods for implementing interventions based on an understanding of person-problem-situation cluster. (1,2,3,4,6,7,10).

Empirical theories and knowledge about the interaction between and among systems.

*Note* For the convenience of the reader listed directly under the objective is the program goal that relates to the objective.

Program Objectives - The student will:

1. Use critical thinking skills within the context of professional social work practice, coupled with a broad general education (Liberal Arts) foundation for developing knowledge.

Goal: "To develop social work knowledge and competency by applying and integrating a variety of social work methods and theoretical frameworks, historically grounded purposes ...."

Key words are applying and integrating, which presupposes critical thinking skills.

Evaluative standard: Successful completion of the social work practice sequence SW 362  Social Service Practice 1 (Individual) , 364 Social Service Practice 2 (Group), 367 Human Behavior in the Social Environment (HBSE), 365 Social Service Practice 3 (Community/Macro) and 400 Values / Ethics courses.  Fulfillment of University general education requirements (broad Liberal Arts foundation).  Students will have a portfolio example of a paper that exhibits critical thinking on a social welfare topic).  Successful completion of a course indicates a passing grade of C or better and positive evaluation of students' performance.  This will be true for each objective.  

2.  Understand and apply social work professional values, ethics and principles to social work practice.

Goal: "To develop social work knowledge and competency by applying and integrating a variety of social work methods and theoretical frameworks, historically grounded purposes, knowledge, fundamental skills and professional values and ethics to work with individuals, families, groups, communities and society." 

Evaluative standard: Successful completion of social work practice sequence SW 362 Practice 1 (Individual), 364 Practice 2(Group), 367 (HBSE), 365 Practice 3 (Community/Macro), 470 (Populations at Risk) and 400 (Values and Ethics).  Assessments of student's application of social work professional values, ethics and principles as exhibited in their field practicum SW 498 placements.

3.  Develop professional respect, knowledge and skills to practice and work with human diversity within the context of clients' cultural reality.

Goal: "To prepare students......to integrate the knowledge, values and skills of the social work profession into their professional lives and within the context of their clients specific cultures."

Evaluative standard: Successful completion of social work practice sequence SW 362 Practice 1, (Individual), 364 Practice 2 (Group), 367 (HBSE), 365 Practice 3 (Community/Macro), SW 464 (Intervention with Diverse Clients), SW 470 (Populations at Risk), and 400 (Values and Ethics).   Student assessment of sensitivity and practice skills related to human diversity in SW 498. 

4.  Develop an understanding and appreciation for human diversity, understand forms of discrimination, oppression, and mechanisms to advance social and economic justice.

Goal: "To help social work students of diverse interests and abilities .....to enhance social functioning for individuals, groups, families, communities, society and to promote social justice."

...to integrate the knowledge, values and skills of the social work profession ... within the context of their clients specific cultures.

Evaluative standard: Successful completion of  SW 362 Practice 1 (Individual), 364 Practice 2 (Group), 367 (HBSE), 365 Practice 3 (Community), 466 (Social Welfare Policy), 464 (Intervention with diverse Clients), 470 (Special Populations) and 400 (Values/Ethics).

Evaluation of student skill level in working with human diversity in SW 498 Field practicum.

6.  Apply generalist social work (knowledge/skills), with systems of all sizes.

Goal: "To prepare students for competent and effective generalist social work practice."

"To develop social work knowledge, and competency by applying and integrating a variety of social work methods and theoretical frameworks, historically grounded purposes, knowledge, fundamental skills and professional values and ethics to work with individuals, families, groups, communities and society."

Evaluative standard: Successful completion of the Social Work foundation curriculum (SW 260(Introduction to Social work), 362 Practice 1 (Individual), 364 Practice 2 (Group), 466 (Social Welfare Policy), 367 (HBSE), 462 Practice 3 (Community/Macro).  Assessment of the students ability to apply generalist methodology with varied populations as exemplified in field practicum SW 498.

7.  Develop knowledge of the bio-psycho-social context of individual human development and  behavior.  Develop the ability to apply and integrate a variety of social work methods and theoretical frameworks to person-environment transactions with individuals, families, groups, organizations, communities, culture and society.

Goal: "To develop social work knowledge and competency by applying and integrating a variety of social work methods and theoretical frameworks, historically grounded purposes, fundamental skills and professional values and ethics to work with individuals, families, groups, communities and society."

Evaluative standard: Successful completion of SW 367 (HBSE), SW 362 Practice 1 (Individual),  364 Practice 2 (Group), and 365 Practice 3 (Community/Macro).   Portfolio paper that deals with aspects of human development and reciprocal interactions between individuals and social systems on micro, messo, and macro levels.

10.  Develop general communication skills to be used in a variety of social work situations and contexts (individual, clients, colleagues, communities).

Goal: "..help students develop social work knowledge to become competent and effective communicators and professional social workers for generalist social work practice and Christian service with individuals, groups, families, communities and society."

Evaluative standard: Successful completion of foundation curriculum SW 362 Practice 1 (Individual), 364 Practice 2 (Group), 367 (HBSE), 365 Practice 3 (Community/Macro), 464 (Intervention with Diverse Clients), and 470 (Populations at Risk.)  Completion of general education classes  English 111, 311 or 315.  Completion of an on-line computer class.  Successful evaluation of communication skill in SW 498 Field  Practicum class.

 

Assignments:

Complete reading of the  required text and lecture material.  Successfully complete exams and quizzes that cover social systems theory, ecological theory, biological, life span developmental theories,  sociological and community theories relative to transactions with individuals, families, groups, organizations, communities, culture and society.   Participate in class related role plays.  Complete two writing assignments.

One writing assignment will require a critical analysis of journal articles that deal with empirical knowledge about the interaction between and among systems. One writing assignment will integrate theoretical models using micro, mezzo and macro systems analysis as applied to the article.   The goal being to critically think about how social systems enhance or detract from clients maintaining or achieving well-being.  Participate in group discussions on various life span issues within the context of social systems integrating knowledge about the person - environment - problem cluster.  Groups will report their findings to the class.  (Clarification of the assignments will be given in class.)

 

References:

Ashford, Jose B; LeCrooy, Craig W; Lortie, Kathy L.  (2001).  Human Behavior In the Social           Environment, A Multidimensional Perspective (second edition).  Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole.

Crain, William; (2005). Theories of Development, Concepts and Applications (fifth                                   edition). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey:  Prentice Hall.  (Text)

Norlin, Julia; Chess, Wayne; Dale, Orren & Smith, Rebecca. (2006).  Human Behavior and the Social Environment, Social Systems Theory (fifth edition).  Boston, MA:  Allyn & Bacon.  (Text)

Schriver, Joe M. (2001).   Human Behavior and the Social Environment Shifting Paradigms in Essential Knowledge for Social Work Practice (third edition).  Needham Heights, MA: Allyn & Bacon.