SWK 225: Evolution of Change

Course Description

This first course in the human behavior sequence studies the bio-psycho-social, cultural, and spiritual influences on the life cycle from pre-birth through adolescence. The content will emphasize on understanding the interactions between individuals, groups, institutions and communities and their environments from various perspectives including systems, ecological, strengths, diversity, and human development. This course will allow students to understand how to engage from a change agent/leader perspective. Formerly: SWK 320: Human Behavior Social Environment 1 (3 credits)

Prerequisites

• SWK 101: Change Agents
• SWK 110: Superhero Within

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

1. Apply theories and knowledge of biological, sociological, cultural, psychological and spiritual development across the life span, including attachment theory, role theory, cognitive theory, learning theory, and theories of moral development.
2. Recognize individual and family developmental stages and the reciprocal interaction between the individual and larger systems.
3. Use the person-in-environment perspective and other theoretical models to describe and examine the development of systems and social work practice.
4. Evaluate theories of human behavior with an understanding of their implicit value base and their relevance to social work practice.

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) / Competencies

1. Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior
2. Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice
3. Engage Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ADEI) in Practice
4. Engage in Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice
5. Engage in Policy Practice
6. Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
7. Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
8. Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
9. Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

Course Activities and Grading

Required Textbook

• Available through Charter Oak State College's online bookstore

  • Cengage Unlimited - Access (12 months)

  • The Social Work Program has partnered with Cengage to provide all e-texts, MindTap activities, and other resources through the Cengage Unlimited Yearly Subscription. All Social Work courses will use Cengage Unlimited and MindTap content activities. You will only need to purchase this product one time for the year. Please do not purchase this product multiple times within a subscription year.

    In addition, this subscription allows students to rent textbooks through the Cengage website for $9.99 per book.

    Students will have access to all materials for their social work courses from the day of purchase. The subscription expires 365 days after students access and opens their first e-text link. 

• The textbook used for this course obtained through Cengage Unlimited is:
  • Zastrow, C., Kirst-Ashman, K., Hessenauer, S. (2019), Understanding Human Behavior and the Social Environment, 11e. ISBN: 978-1-337-55647-7

Course Schedule

COSC Accessibility Statement

Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.

COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources

Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.