Human Behavior and the Social Environment II

Catalog description

Theories of human behavior is a two-course sequence aimed at exposing students to the complex factors that may affect human development and experiences across the life course and explore biopsychosocial theories across systems. This course explores the impact of social systems on human behavior in terms of socioeconomic, sociopolitical and sociocultural forces, from a variety of theoretical perspectives. This course examines the ways in which systems promote or pose challenges in the achievement and maintenance of optimal health and well-being of clients. The effects of prejudice and discrimination on individuals and groups, based on race, ethnicity, gender, affectional orientation, class, or other stigmatizing characteristics are emphasized are explored. Building upon theoretical approaches to human service organizations/agencies and their distinct attributes, the course addresses key practice knowledge, skills, and values that promote, develop, and maintain organizations that effectively meet community and agency needs. This course also emphasizes models of community and agency intervention as integral to the social work professional's role In community and addresses challenges working with diverse populations in terms of community engagement assessment, intervention and evaluation.