SOWK 530 Human Behavior and the Social Environment

Course Description

Human Behavior and the Social Environment is a course that addresses theoretical perspectives as tools for understanding human behavior and its development across the life span. The interrelatedness of the biological, psychological, social, and spiritual aspects within the environment is the main area of focus.

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

Course Guide

View this course’s outcomes, policies, schedule, and more.*

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*The information contained in our Course Guides is provided as a sample. Specific course curriculum and requirements for each course are provided by individual instructors each semester. Students should not use Course Guides to find and complete assignments, class prerequisites, or order books.

Rationale

The social worker interacts with people. There are various components that impact people’s behavior. This course prepares each student with foundational knowledge necessary for understanding the complexity of human behavior within the context of the social environment.

Course Assignment

No details available.

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the candidate will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student will engage in course discussions regarding relevant course material. There are 2 discussions.

Discussion: Social Environment Assessment

The student should post a thread of at least 350 words and include a minimum of two citations from peer reviewed articles. The student must also post two replies of at least 250 words, each containing 2 citations (1 peer reviewed article and 1 applicable scripture) that add educational content in current APA format. A doi/url is required to earn credit for peer reviewed sources.

Discussion: Life Map

The student will post his or her PowerPoint and a 250-word summary of the presentation. The student will then post two replies. Each reply should be at least 250 words, must incorporate at least 1 scholarly citation in current APA format and 1 scripture, cited and referenced in current APA format.

(CLO: A, C, D; Competencies: 1, 6, 7; Dimensions: Knowledge, Values, Cognitive & Affective Processes)

The student will complete a paper identifying and researching local and state databases to determine the needs in his or her community. The student is to describe his or her findings and also identify places where social workers find employment to meet the needs of the community. This is a 3-part assignment that includes a paper, a PowerPoint, and a Discussion. Please see the description for the Discussion: Social Environment Assessment above. 

Social Environment Assessment Paper Assignment

The student must develop a 4-6 page paper (not including the title page and references) with at least 3 community/environment or government websites, databases, etc. cited for a minimum of 3 sources in current APA format.

Social Environment Assessment PowerPoint Assignment

For this assignment, the student will need to create a 7 – 12 slide (not including title and reference slide) narrated power point presentation. Any and all images from the internet should be properly referenced with a URL at the bottom of the image and also on the References slide. The assignment should include 3 citations in current APA format.

(CLO: B, C, D; Competencies: 2, 6, 7; Dimensions: Knowledge, Values, Cognitive & Affective Processes)

The student will complete a map of the major events of their lives including bio, psycho, social, spiritual events. They will be prepared to share some aspects with the class. This will be a 3-part assignment that includes the map, a paper, and a PowerPoint. There will also be a discussion. Please see the description for the Discussion: Life Map above. 

Life Map Assignment

The student will create a pictorial narrative of their life that provides a visual timeline of key events and experiences.

Life Map Paper Assignment

For this assignment the student will develop a 6-8 page paper, not including the title page and references, based upon their Life Map. The textbook and 3 additional peer reviewed sources should be cited, for a minimum of 4 scholarly sources in current APA format.

Life Map PowerPoint Assignment

The student will need to create a 5-7 slide (minimum, not including the title slide and reference slide) power point presentation. All images from the internet should be properly referenced at the bottom of the image and on the References slide. The assignment should include 4 citations in current APA format.

(CLO: A, B; Competencies: 1, 2; Dimensions: Knowledge, Values, Cognitive & Affective Processes)

In preparing social work students for professional practice, the social work faculty takes responsibility for promoting the standards of the social work profession by constantly monitoring student academic and professional performance and addressing concerns with the student through advising and grading. In addition to academic performance, the student is required to demonstrate professional performance skills necessary for work with clients and professional practice. The student may be evaluated for professional development during each social work major (SOWK) course through written evaluation indicating his or her progress in each developmental area. In accordance with the Social Work Student Handbook, these are the Professional Performance Skills and Expectations:
  • Complete all assignments on time and to Liberty University level standards
  • Actively participate in class discussions and activities
  • Work collaboratively and cooperatively with others
  • Demonstrate respect for others’ opinions
  • Demonstrate a willingness to understand and respect diversity regarding race, gender, age, religion, ethnicity, disability, and sexual orientation
  • Demonstrate knowledge of and commitment to the essential values and ethical Standards of social work specified in the NASW Code of Ethics and the NACSW Statement of Faith and Practice
  • Use self-disclosure appropriately
  • Demonstrate use of critical thinking skills
  • Demonstrates ability to assesses own strengths, limitations, and suitability for ethical practice
  • Exhibits knowledge of how one’s values, attitudes, beliefs, emotions, and past experiences affect thinking, behavior, and relationships.
  • Clearly articulate ideas, thoughts, and concepts through effective oral communication
  • Manages constructive feedback

(CLO: A, D, E, F; Competencies: 1, 7, 8, 9; Dimensions: Knowledge, Values, Cognitive & Affective Process, Skills)

The student will complete two quizzes which assess the student’s knowledge of course materials. Each quiz will be open book/open notes. The student will have a 45-minute time limit for the Quiz: Life Course Perspective and a 60-minute time limit for the Quiz: Human Behavior and the Social Environment. The student will have two attempts to take each quiz/exam, and the highest attempt will count towards the grade. Each will cover reading and study materials. For Quiz: Life Course Perspective, the student will be tested on The Life Course Perspective covered in Chapter 1. For Quiz: Human Behavior and the Social Environment, the student will be assessed on various social work principles and theories. Similar to comprehensive exams, questions will serve as practice for the comprehensive exam taken at the end of the generalist curriculum and at the end of the advanced generalist curriculum. The student will answer questions covering both theory and application of generalist social work principles and theories covered throughout the semester. Both quizzes are 25 questions and multiple choice. (CLO: A, B, D, E; Competencies: 1, 2, 7, 8; Dimensions: Knowledge)

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