SYLLABUS SWK 445 Human Behavior and Social Environment, Spring 2006

Professor: Stephen M. Marson, Ph.D., ACSW
Office: 217 BA; Phone: 521-6778; Inclement weather: (910) 521-6888
Office Hours:  Monday 11:00, Tuesday 1:00, Wednesday 11:00  Thursday 1:00, Friday by appointment
Course Prerequisites: SWK 345
Course Description: This is a continuation of SWK 345.  Special focus is placed on issues of human development that are the concerns of generic entry level work practitioners.
 
Table of Contents
Assignments Computers NC Child Welfare Collaborative
Attendance Policy Course Objectives Plagiarism
Blackboard Usage Course Outline Portfolio Assignment
Bibliography Final Exam Program Objectives
Book Report Giving and Taking Help Required Texts
Cell Phones Grading Students with Disabilities
Students withOUT Disabilities

Program Objectives

  1. Apply critical thinking skills within the context of professional social work practice.
  2. Practice within the values and ethics of the social work profession and with an understanding of and respect for the positive value of diversity.
  3. Demonstrate the professional use of self.
  4. Understand the forms and mechanisms of oppression and discrimination and the strategies of change that advance social and economic justice.
  5. Understand the history of the social work profession and its current structures and issues.
  6. Apply the knowledge and skills of generalist social work to practice with systems of all sizes.
  7. Apply knowledge of bio-psycho-social variables that affect individual development and, behavior, and use theoretical frameworks to understand the interactions among individuals and between individuals and social systems (i.e., families, groups, organizations, and communities).
  8. Analyze the impact of social policies on client systems, workers, and agencies.
  9. Evaluate research studies and apply findings to practice, and, under supervision, to evaluate their own practice interventions and those of other relevant systems.
  10. Use communication skills differentially with a variety of client populations, colleagues, and members of the community.
  11. Use supervision appropriate to generalist practice.
  12. Function within the structure of organizations and service delivery systems, and under supervision, seek necessary organizational change.
  13. Use social work skills, values and knowledge within the context of our rural environment.
Course Objectives
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13
  1. To employ biophysical, psychological and social knowledge within a systems framework to facilitate understanding of developmental processes in young adulthood. (Program Objectives: 6, 7, 10 ) .
  2. To employ biophysical, psychological and social knowledge within a systems framework to facilitate understanding of developmental processes in middle adulthood. (Program Objectives: 6, 7, 10 ).
  3. To employ biophysical, psychological and social knowledge within a systems framework to facilitate understanding of developmental processes in late adulthood. (Program Objectives: 6, 7, 10 ).
  4. To critically analyze the major theoretical frameworks traditionally employed in understanding of human behavior, the social environment, and generalist practice. (Program Objectives: 1, 4, 6, 7, 10).
  5. To understand the behavioral and developmental consequences of oppression, discrimination, economic injustice directed toward individuals classified as a populations at risk.  (Program Objectives:  1, 2, 4, 7, 8).
  6. To develop a fundamental understanding that social systems vary in size (micro, mezzo, macro) and that theory guides the social worker in development effective relationships with these entities as client, target and action systems. (Program Objectives: 1, 4, 6, 7, 10).
  7. To be able to read and accurately interpet research findings regarding developmental and practice theory.  (Program Objectives: 1, 4, 6, 7, 10, ).
  8. To comprehend the practice implications for systems theory related to families, groups, organizations and communities. (Program Objectives: 1, 4, 6, 7, 10).
  9. To comprehend the implications of cultural diversity with a family system and the utilization of that social structure as an action, target and client system. (Program Objectives: 1, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10).
  10. To comprehend the implications of cultural diversity with social groups and the utilization of that social structure as an action, target and client system. (Program Objectives: 1,4, 6, 7, 10).
  11. To comprehend the implications of cultural diversity with social organizations and the utilization of that social structure as an action, target and client system. (Program Objectives: 1, 4, 6, 7, 10).
  12. To comprehend the implications of cultural diversity with communities and the utilization of that social structure as an action, target and client system. (Program Objectives: 1, 4, 6, 7, 10).
COURSE OUTLINE
(Course Objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)

Young Adulthood (Course Objectives: 1, 4, 6, 7)
    Biophysical Dimension
        Growth and Development: Changes in reproductive systems during early adulthood, the impact of hormones on women, peak of physical development, loss of muscle and increase in fat weight, and development of health patterns.
        Biophysical Hazards: Health hazards, cancer and self-examination, unhealthful lifestyles and life expectancy.
    Psychological Dimension
        Cognitive Development: Formal thought, reduced egocentrism, abstract thinking, and postformal thought
        Communication: Miscommunication, intimancy in communication, gender and communication, communicating with the deaf.
        Attitudes/Emotions: Development of intimacy, opportunities for love, pooibilities of isolation and loneliness, shyness, search for an identity, commitment for a sense of identity in multiple contexts.
        Social Cognition: Moral development, responsibility, morality of justice, morality of care
        Psychological Hazards: Major life decisions, serious mental disorders, depression.
    Social Dimension
        Support Systems: Marriage, selection a partner, coming together, adjustment to marriage, marital expectations and myths, being single, gay or lesbian relationships, transition to parenthood, work life, women and work.
        Multicultural/Gender Issues: Gender roles, multicultural challenges, motherhood mandates, gender expectations and stereotypes, challenges for persons of color. 5
        Social Hazards: Families with a disabled member, divorce, sexual harassment, sexually transmitted diseases, rape ans sexual assault, spouse abuse and effects on the family.
READINGS: Chapter 10

Middle Adulthood (Course Objectives: 2, 4, 6, 7)
    Biophysical Dimension
        Growth and Development: Adaption to physical changes: changes in physical appearance, decrease in physical abilities, meopause, osteoporosis; possibility of need for extrogen replacement therapy.
        Biophysical Hazards: Ajustment to sexuality in adulthood, women's health care, breat cancer, brain injury,  physicalillness.
    Psychological Dimension
        Cognitive Development: Cognitive focus on  achieving goals, applying knowledge to real world concerns, role related achievement potential, cercern over professional adolescence.
        Communication: Reconnection with one's partner or spouse, communication on a deeper level, establishment of new relationships with others, forgiveness, concerns about illiteracy, communication with nonspeaking adults.
        Attitudes/Emotions: Continued quest for identity, reexamination of expectations and roles, de-illusionment, death of the hero, midlife as a crisis.
        Social Cognition: Development of caring and socially responsible behaviors, establishment of mentor relationships, assumption of leadership roles reflection on one's mortality.
        Psychological Hazards: Alcohol and drug addiction, codependency, need for professional help, twelve-step programs
    Social Dimension
        Support Systems: Blended families, lauch of children into independence, empty nest syndrome, return to more intimate relationships, martial affairs, impact of adolescents children on middle-aged parents, changing relationships with adult children on middle-aged parents, caregiving, grandparenthood, the men's meovement, men in thepray, satisfaction in work, balancing career and family.
        Multicultural/Gender Issues: Problems with generalizing adultdevelpment theories to women, gender differences at midlife, role strain and role conflict for woment, ethnic identity in adulthood, balancing life in two cultures. 5
        Social Hazards: Unemployment or job loss, homelessness, mental illness and homelessness, women and AIDS.
 READINGS: Chapter 11

Late Adulthood (Course Objectives: 3, 4, 6, 7)
    Biophysical Dimension
        Growth and Development: Need to face age-related changes in physical decline, increased vulnerability to chronic health problems and life-threatening illnesses, changes in sexuality and sexual relations, and hetalth-enhancing behaviors
        Biophysical Hazards: Chronic health problems, arthritis, hypertension, and declining health.
    Psychological Dimension
        Cognitive Development: Fluid and crystalized intelligence, adjustment to changes in memory and learning.
        Communication: Life review and communciation of crtical life events.
        Attitudes/Emotions:Grief and loss, mouring, death and dying, fear of death, widowhood, loneliness and other reatled emotions
        Social Cognition: Maintenance of a stable sense of self, sucessful aging.
        Psychological Hazards: Alzheimer's disease, depression, suicide (passive, assisted, etc)
    Social Dimension
        Support Systems: Family relationships, couples, parent-child relationships, caregiving for and by older people, grandparenting, friendhsips, nuring homes, hospice, retirement.
        Multicultural/Gender Issues: Minority groups (populations at risk). 5
        Social Hazards: Abuse and neglect--physical, psychological, and material, stereotyping, ageism, sexism, racism, lieving on a fixed income.
READINGS: Chapter 12

Midterm Exam (chapters 10, 11 and 12)

Human Behavior in Systems of Different Sizes (Course Objectives: 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 , 12)
    Ecosystems Framework (Course Objectives: 4, 6,
    Diversity (Course Objectives: 5
    Oppression (Course Objectives: 5
    Feminism (Course Objectives: 5
    Family, Group, Organization & Community (Course Objectives: 5, 9, 10, 11 , 12)
    Implications for Practice (Course Objectives: 5, 8

Quiz chapter 1

Family (Course Objectives: 4, 6, 7, 8, 9)
   Systems Theory (Course Objectives: 4
    Functions
    Systems & Roles
    Nondevelopmental Crises
    Violence
    Diversity (Course Objectives: 5
    Implications for Practice (Course Objectives: 8

Quiz chapter 2

Groups (Course Objectives: 4, 6, 7, 8, 10)
    Structure
    Norms
    Cohesion
    Goals
    Leadership
    Types
    Diversity (Course Objectives: 5
    Implications for Practice (Course Objectives: 8

Quiz chapter 3

Organizations (Course Objectives: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11)
    Definition (Course Objectives: 4
    Goals
    Nature
    Communication
    Leadership
    Control
    Dependence
    Implications for Practice (Course Objectives: 8 )

Quiz chapter 4

Communities  (Course Objectives: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11)
    Definition
    Types
    Implications for Practice

Quiz chapter 5

 Oral Reports due dates will be assigned individually.  Students who fail to meet their deadline will be dropped a letter grade (Course Objectives: 4, 6, 7, 8)

Final Exam: The exam schedule can be found at http://www.uncp.edu/registrar/acad_info/Exam%20Schedule/exam_spring.htm  The final exam for this course will be on Blackboard.

Required Texts
Ashford, J, LeCroy C., Lortie, K  (2001). Human Behavior and the Social Environment: A Multidimensional  Perspective. Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole.
Pillari, V & Newsome, M. (2003). Human Behavior and the Social Environment: Families Groups, Organizations and Communities. Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole.

About Computer Usage: Social work majors are required to have an email account to submit and receive assignments.  Students may apply for an account on Snappy (name of our computer) at no cost.  Merely complete the  "New User Account" form found at http://www.uncp.edu/ucis/accounts/.   To use and check email, go to http://webmail.uncp.edu/. In addition, the Social Work Major has a computer lab assistant to help with computer related problems.   During the academic year 2004-2005, the social work lab assistant is Eric Duncun.  His email addresses is: ead002@uncp.edu.   If you need help, please contact him for an appointment or meet him in the computer lab at 10 AM on Wednesdays.  If you can't keep your appointment, please let him know in advance.

Assignments:
See course outline. A quiz will be given after completing the last three chapters of Ashford, J, LeCroy C., Lortie, K  (2001).    A written and oral book report is required. The book must address a theory that is currently employed in social work practice.  Selection will be made from the references listed on this syllabus.   See the Bibliography for approved titles.   If you want to select a book that is not on the list, see your professor.   The grade will be based on the student's ability to comply with the outline [check here to see it].   The book report is reuired for the senior portfolio.   Please save your book report for SWK 490-1.

Blackboard Usage:  Although SWK 445 is not designated as a “Blackboard” course, Blackboard is used under two circumstances.   First, if the course is cancelled or the professor is unable to attend class and cannot find a replacement, lectures and assignments will be posted on Blackboard.  Second, depending on the nature of the course, some quizzes will be posted on Blackboard.   Under most circumstances, students will be given a three day window of opportunity to compete the quiz.  If a student is kicked off Blackboard during a quiz, he/she is required to immediately email (steve.marson@uncp.edu or smarson@nc.rr.com) or call the instructor (521-6475).

Cell Phone Policy: Students are not permitted to conduct phone conversations during class time.  Students are not permitted to have cell ring during class time.   Students who use conduct a phone conversation or allow their phones to ring during class time will be drop 10 points on the next quiz or 5 points for their final exam.

Attendance Policy
Attendance and class participation are critical to the learning and integration of materials. Therefore, the Social Work Department has implemented the following policy. Attendance will be used as a criterion in determining the final grade.   There are no excused absences.  Six clock hours of absence will result in a failing grade for the class worth 3 academic credit hours; four clock hours for a class worth 2 academic credit hours class; and 2 clock hours for a class worth 1 academic credit hour class. Students are therefore encouraged to be mindful of absences and make every effort to be in attendance. Students are expected to have read assigned material prior to the class. Students are also expected to participate in class discussion, exercises, “minute” papers, and any Blackboard discussions that may be announced.  Students are considered in attendance only if present for the entire class. Arriving late or leaving early is disruptive, and will result in a loss of one contact hour for each occurrence.  Students are responsible for any material covered in class at a time for which they were absent. See University Academics Policies at http://www.uncp.edu/sa/handbook/11academic.htm

Grading: 40% Quizzes, Oral/written report 20%, 40% Final Exam
The grading scale is outlined below and is in the Student Social Work Handbook:

 
A 92-100 B 82-86 C 72-76 D 62-66
A- 90-91 B- 80-81 C- 70-71 D- 60-61
B+ 87-89 C+ 77-79 D+ 67-69 F 0-59

Giving and Taking Help
The practice of social work includes two important concepts: "process" and "outcome." Outcome is the degree of success in achieving a goal. Process includes the hard work and self-discipline a social worker employs in achieving a goal. The social work faculty feel that the "process" is as significant as the "outcome." When one student assists another by sharing projects, term papers, book reports, reactions papers and other assignments, the benefits of the "process" are usurped. The student who recycles the assignment is denied the opportunity to enhance his/her self-discipline and work habits. Simply stated, Don’t share your work with other students. The social work faculty considers such behavior as cheating, a violation of the NASW Code of Ethics and a violation of the Student Honor Code.

Plagiarism
The Social Work Program does not permit plagiarism   All students enrolled in SWK courses are required to use the APA citation style, anyone caught plagiarizing automatically receive an F.  You will loose points on assignments if you do not use APA citation style. APA manuals can be purchased in the bookstore. There is a copy on closed reserve in the library. Also refer to the Library resource for APA .   You may also get help from University Writing Center hours during the spring semester are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Friday. For an appointment, stop by the Writing Center, Dial 131, call 910.521.6168, or email writing@uncp.edu.

Students with Disabilities
Any  student with a documented disability needing academic adjustments [assistance] is requested to speak directly to Disability Support Services and the instructor, as early in the semester (preferably within the first week) as possible.  All discussions will remain confidential with Mary Helen Walker, MA, NCC, NCLPC.

Students withOUT Disabilities: Under some circumstances the class will be required to use Blackboard for testing and other assignment.   According to the American Disabilities Act, student with disability are entitled to special accommodation and such accommodations will be available on Blackboard.   Students without a documented disability are NOT entitled to use (or open) files or folders that are designated "disability."   Any student without a disability who used files or folders designated "disability" will be dropped a letter grade on the assignment or test.

Child Welfare Scholars: Child Welfare Scholars must complete the same assignments as nonscholarship students. For Child Welfare Scholars, the book report must focus on child theory.

`Bibliography

Note: Books that are located at UNCW or FSU can be received in two to four days by placing a hold request.  You can get help with this process by calling Reference (910.521.6656) or Circulation (910.521.6516).

Adler, A. (1946). Understanding human nature. New York: Greenberg.     [UNCP BF833 .A4 1946]

Axline, V. M. (1947). Play Therapy. New York: Ballantine Books.   [LB1137 .A9 1975 ]

Bandura, A. (1986). Social foundations of thought and action: a social cognitive theory. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall. [UNCP HM251 .B433 1986]

Bandura, A. (1977). Social learning theory. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall. [UNCP LB1084 .B357]

Baudrillard, J. (1988). The ecstasy of communication. (B. Schutze & C. Schutze, Trans.) NY: Autonomedia. [UNCP BD450 .B35713 1988]

Beers, C. W. (1953). A mind that found itself (8th ed.). Garden City, NY: Doubleday. [UNCP RC439 .B4 1962]

Berne, E.  (1966). Principles of group treatment. New York: Grove. [UNCP RC488 .B425]

Biddle, B. J. (1966). Role theory: concepts and research. New York: Wiley.  [UNCP BF774 .B5]

Biddle, Bruce J. (1979). Role theory: expectations, identities, and behaviors. New York : Academic Press. [UNCP BF774 .B52]

Bluth, B. J. (1982). Parsons' general theory of action: A summary of the basic theory. Granada Hills, Calif. : NBS.  [UNCP HM24 .B56 1982]

Burghardt, Stephen. (1982). Organizing for community action. Beverly Hills, Calif. : Sage Publications.  [UNCW HV65 .B82 1982]

Comte, A. (1957). A general view of positivism. (J. H. Bridges, Trans.) New York: R. Speller.  [UNCP B2228 .E5 B7 1957]

Coser, Lewis A.(1956). The functions of social conflict.  Publisher Glencoe, Ill., Free Press.

Cumming, E.  (1979).  Growing old.  New York: Arno.      [UNCW HQ1061 .C8 1979]

Cummings, T.G. (1980). Systems theory for organization development. New York: J. Wiley.      [UNCP HD58.8 .S95]

Devine, E. T. (1971). Misery and its causes.  New York: Arno.      [FSU HV31 .D53 1971]

Ellis, Albert. (1962). Reason and emotion in psychotherapy. New York : L. Stuart.  [UNCP RC480.5 .E423 1975]

Erikson, Erik H. (1964).  Childhood and society. New York, Norton.  [UNCP HQ781 .E75 1964]

Freeman, D. S. (1992). Multigenerational family therapy. New York: Haworth.  [UNCP RC488.5 .F74 1992]

Glasser, W. (1998). Choice theory: a new psychology of personal freedom. New York: Harper.      [UNCP BF121 .G559 1998]

Glasser, William. (1981). Stations of the mind: New directions for reality therapy. New York : Harper & Row..  [UNCP RC489.R37 G55 1981]

Goldstein, E. G. (1984). Ego psychology and social work practice. New York: Free Press.  [UNCW HV689 .G58 1984]

Havighurst, R. J. (1980). Older people. New York: Arno.     [UNCW HQ1064 .U5 H3 1980]

Homans, George Caspar. (1961). Social behavior: its elementary forms.  New York, Harcourt, Brace & World.  [UNCP HM291 .H64]

Hudson, B. L. (1988). Behavioural social work: an introduction. Chicago, IL: The Dorsey Press.  [UNCP HV40 .H76 1988]

Jantsch, E. (1975). Design for evolution: self-organization and planning in the life of human systems. New York: G. Braziller.  [UNCP B818 .J33]

Kottman, Terry  (2001). Play therapy: basics and beyond. Alexandria, VA : American Counseling Association. [UNCP RJ505.P6 K643 2001]

Kubler-Ross, E. (1969). On Death and Dying.  New York: Macmillan.

Lilienfeld, R. (1978). The rise of systems theory: An ideological analysis.  New York: Wiley.      [UNCP HN59 .L53]

Parkin, F. (1979). Marxism and class theory: A bourgeois critique. New York: Columbia University Press.    [UNCW HX542 .P28]

Perls, F. S. (1973). Gestalt approach & eye witness to therapy. Ben Lomond, CA: Science & Behavior Books.  [UNCP RC489.G4 P47 1973]

Reid, W. J. & Epstein, L. (1972). Task-centered casework. New York: Columbia University Press. [UNCP HV43 .R38]

Rogers, C. R. (1965). Client-centered therapy, its current practice, implications, and theory. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin. [UNCP RC602 .R746 1965]

Rothman, Jack  (1981). Changing organizations and community programs. Beverly Hills, Calif: Sage Publications.

Sereno, K.K. & Mortensen, C. D. (1970). Foundations of communication theory. New York: Harper & Row. [UNCP P90 .S43]

Skinner, B.F. (1938). The behavior of organisms: an experimental analysis. New York: Appleton-Century. [UNCP QP355 .S57]

Smith, P. (2001).  Cultural theory: an introduction.  Malden, MA: Blackwell.     [UNCP  HM621 .S57 2001]

Thelen, H. A. (1954). Dynamics of groups at work. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.     [UNCP HV45 .T47]

Veblen, T. (1934). The Theory of the Leisure Class. New York: The Modern library. [HB831 .V4 1934]

Wilson, J. (1983). Social theory. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.     [UNCW HM24 .W548 1983]