SWK 320: Human Behavior in the Social Environment 1

Course Description

The purpose of this course is to assist students in understanding the link between social work theory and beginning-level generalist social work practice. Theoretical information appropriate for beginning-level generalist social work practice is also presented. This course will provide opportunities for students to experience practice situations through role plays, simulations, case vignettes, and other experiential activities. The theory-based material, activities, and assignments in this course are designed to support students in understanding the vital connection between theoretical orientation and stages of the helping process. (3 credits)

Prerequisites

  • ENG 101: English Composition 1
  • ENG 102: English Composition 2
  • SWK 101: Introduction to Social Work

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. Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice
  3. Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice
  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

AssignmentsWeight

Discussions, Blogs, Wikis (Weeks 1-3)

20%

Essays (Weeks 1 and 3)

10%

PowerPoint Presentation (Week 2)

20%

Quiz (Week 3)

15%

Research Papers (Weeks 4-8)

35%

Total

100%

 

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. 

Additional Resources

  • Video links assigned by the instructor.

Course Schedule

Week

PLOs

SLOs

Readings and Exercises

Assignments

1

1,2,4,6,7

1,2,3,4

Topic: Person in Environment

  • Readings:
    • Introduction
    • I. The Person in Environment
    • Chapter 1
  • Video:
    • 12 Cognitive Biases Explained - How to Think Better and More Logically Removing Bias
  • Review Getting Started information in Blackboard
  • Review course syllabus
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Review assigned video
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Complete Week 1 blog assignment
Submit Week 1 Essay

2

1,2,4,7,9

1,2,3,4

Topic: The BioPsychoSocial Dimension

  • Readings: 
    • II. Biopsychosocial dimension
    • Chapter 2
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Complete Week 2 blog assignments (2)
  • Submit Week 2 PowerPoint presentation

3

1,2,4,7,9

1,2,3,4

Topic: The Sociocultural Dimension

  • Readings:
    • III. The Sociocultural Dimension
    • Chapters 3 and 8
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Complete Week 3 Wiki assignment
  • Submit Week 3 Essay
  • Complete Week 3 Quiz
  • Begin work on the Week 4 Research Paper

4

1-5,7-9

1,2,3,4

Topics: Racial and Ethnic Inequality

  • Readings:
    • IV. The Social Change Dimension
    • Chapter 8
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Submit Week 4 Research Paper
  • Begin work on the Week 5 Research Paper

5

1,2,4,6,7,9

1,2,3,4

Topics: Heredity, Prenatal Development, & Birth

  • Readings:
    • V. Pre-Pregnancy & Prenatal Development
    • Chapter 9
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Complete the Week 5 Wiki assignment
  • Submit Week 5 Research Paper
  • Begin work on the Week 6 Research Paper

6

1,2,4,7,9

1,2,3,4

Topics: Development in Infancy and Toddlerhood

  • Readings:
    • VI. Development in Infancy & Toddlerhood
    • Chapters 10, 11, and 12
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Submit Week 6 Research Paper
  • Begin work on the Week 7 Research Paper

7

1,2,4,7,9

1,2,3,4

Topic: Development in Early Childhood

  • Readings:
    • VII. Development in Early Childhood
    • Chapters 13, 14, and 15
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Submit Week 7 Research Paper
  • Begin work on the Week 8 Research Paper

8

1,2,4,7,9

1,2,3,4

Topic: Development in Middle Childhood

  • Readings:
    • VIII. Development in Middle Childhood
    • Chapters 16, 17, and 18
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Submit Week 8 Research Paper
  • Complete Course Evaluation

 

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.