Syllabus

Master of Social Work

SSW 501 – Human Behavior in the Social Environment – Fall 2017

Credits - 3

Description

Human Behavior in the Social Environment I & II (HBSE I & II; SSW 501/502) are two-semester, sequenced courses that are designed to develop and refine our understanding of the way that history, power, and context shape human relationships. HBSE I course content and readings reflect 1) our concern about the scope, depth, and meaning of inequality and inequity and their health impact on individuals, groups, families, and communities; the role of social structures and distributions of the resources necessary for healthy human development; 2) how we formulate and act on basic assumptions about ourselves and others; and 3) how the experiences of individuals are affected by their elements of their social identity—including class, gender, race, ethnicity, age, sexuality, dis/ability, and legal status. We also explore how people’s positions on social hierarchies impact their physical and mental health. This examination is guided by the values found in our vision and mission and in the profession’s code of ethics.

Materials

Learning Objectives and Outcomes

School of Social Work Program Outcomes:

Graduates of the UNE SSWO will demonstrate knowledge, skills, and leadership in the following:

1. Practice social inclusion to enable people, populations, and communities to fully participate in society, enhance human bonds in the context of cultural diversity and ensure improved quality of life and equitable resource distribution. EPAS Competencies 2 & 3
2. Engage in culturally-informed relationship building, being respectful of the complexity and diversity of contexts and circumstances. EPAS Competencies 3 & 6
3. Utilize theories of human behavior, social systems and social inclusion when offering interventions with people and their environments. EPAS Competency 8
4. Promote ethical reflection, critical consciousness and shared decision-making based in social work values and with consideration of the broader contexts of the world in which we live. EPAS Competency 1
5. Balance the roles of helpers, activists, and advocates through collaboration with communities to build healthy and sustainable resources. EPAS Competencies 2, 5, & 6
6. Engage as critical consumers and producers of research as it relates to assessment, intervention and evaluation of clinical and community practices. EPAS Competencies 4, 7, 8 & 9
7. Practice person-centered and collaborative community partnerships across diverse settings. EPAS Competency 6

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1. Identify and describe those societal structures and relationships that enhance or obstruct the development of human health, with specific focus on more marginalized populations. PROGRAM OUTCOME #1 (As measured by Biology Paper, Discussion, and Discussion Facilitation)
2. Articulate the internalization of inequity and its impact on people’s health – including individual and cultural identity, and micro and macro social relationships. PROGRAM OUTCOME #1 (As measured by Discussion)
3. Demonstrate critical self-reflection, awareness of personally held values, and the ability to identify and transform personal and professional bias. PROGRAM OUTCOME #2 (As measured by Discussion and How Do I Know Who I Am Assignment)
4. Describe their conception of health as a human right, its connection to social justice, and their ethical responsibility as professional social workers to work toward changing the structures and relationships that foster inequities. PROGRAM OUTCOME #2 (As measured by Biology Paper, Discussion and Discussion Facilitation)

Assignments

A variety of learning activities are designed to support the course objectives, facilitate different learning styles, and build a community of learners. Learning activities for each week include the following:

Readings and Multimedia:

Description: This course will use an array of readings, podcasts, voice-over PowerPoint presentations, and videos to present the important concepts. The readings and multimedia provide the foundation and background for student discussion threads and written assignments.

Discussions:

Description: An important learning method in this course is student participation and interaction in the discussion threads within each week. Students are expected to participate actively and in a respectful manner. Please refer to Course Policies about participation for a full discussion of expectations.

Grading and Feedback Method: Grading and feedback methods are listed with each specific discussion assignment. Please refer to the descriptions week by week and in the discussion boards for more information.

Writing Assignments, Projects, and Assessments:

Description:

• The Biology Paper asks students to analyze a biology / health issue that raises questions about the impact of biological, social and  health developments on the human environment, and  relevance to social work.
• The How do I Know Who I Am paper asks students to discuss how their understanding of class, gender, race/ethnicity, and sexual orientation evolved and influenced their developing identity and consciousness.

Grading Policy

The School of Social Work uses the following grading system for all courses with the exception of field education courses. Students are expected to maintain a “B” (3.0) average over the course of their study. Students with less than a GPA of 3.0 will be placed on academic probation. Students must have an overall GPA of 3.0 in order to receive their Master’s Degree.

Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:

Grade Breakdown

Assignment	Point Value	Percentage of Grade
Weekly Participation in all Discussions	400 points (50 points * 8 weeks)	40%
Biology Paper	200 points	20%
How do I Know Who I Am Paper	400 points	40%
Total:	1000 points	100%

Grade Scale

Grade	Points Grade	Point Average (GPA)
A	94 – 100%	4.00
A-	90 – 93%	3.75
B+	87 – 89%	3.50
B	84 – 86%	3.00
B-	80 – 83%	2.75
C+	77 – 79%	2.50
C	74 – 76%	2.00
C-	70 – 73%	1.75
D	64 – 69%	1.00
F	00 – 63%	0.00