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MASTER SYLLABUS

SWK 314 Human Behavior in the Social Environment:

Person, Environment, and the Life Course

Instructor: Ellen Ostergren, LCSW

Phone: 352- 222-5005 or the Magnolia Center office at 352 367-1192
Office: Room 205, Gainesville Education Center
Office Hours: By appointment
Email: ellen.ostergren@saintleo.edu
Classroom: Room 205, Gainesville Education Center
Prerequisite: Junior Standing in Social Work.

I. COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course provides a framework for understanding human behavior in the social environment in social
work practice as a multidimensional, multi-theoretical and multifaceted approach. It attends to the
theoretical underpinnings that inform social work as well as an examination of the multiple dimensions
of the person and environment: the biological person; the psychological person; the spiritual person. An
understanding and of the impact of culture, the physical environment, social structure, formal
organizations, small groups and the family on human behavior is also emphasized. The importance of
the changing life course as seen through the person-in-environment perspective looks at human
behavior and development from conception through late adulthood. In addition, this course provides
knowledge about the range of social systems in which individuals live; how human behavior affects and
is affected by these systems; how these systems promote or deter human development, health and
well-being; and, an introduces students to critical thinking relevant to human behavior in the social
environment with opportunities to apply its principles.

Saint Leo University Core Values

For this course, the Saint Leo University core values of Community and Respect are most applicable.

Community Saint Leo University develops hospitable Christian learning communities everywhere we
serve. We foster a spirit of belonging, unity, and interdependence based on mutual trust and respect to
create socially responsible environments that challenge all of us to listen, to learn, to change, and to
serve (Objective 4).

II. IDENTIFIED COUNCIL ON SOCIAL WORK EDUCATION (CSWE) PRACTICE BEHAVIORS (PB)
Competency 6: Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations and Communities
PB 17: Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-
environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks to engage with clients
and constituencies.
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Competency 8: Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations and Communities

PB 24: apply knowledge of human behavior and social environment, person-in-
environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks in interventions with
clients and constituencies.

III. COURSE OBJECTIVES:

At the end of the course the student will be able to:
1. demonstrate integration of the theories and knowledge of the range of social systems in which
humans live, including families, groups, organizations, institutions, and communities as they relate
to human behavior and development.
2. communicate an understanding of the interactions between and among human biological,
social, psychological, spiritual and cultural systems as they affect and are affected by human
behavior (PB 17);
3. consistent with the Saint Leo value of community, students will demonstrate the ways in which
these social system communities promote or deter people in maintaining or achieving optimal
health and well-being (PB 24);
4. develop critical thinking skills, especially as they relate to social work practice
5. recognize the impact that the social environment (e.g., racism, ageism, sexism, disabilities,
poverty, and policies) has on human development in any given stage. (PB 24)
6. integrate lifespan development as an integral component of client assessment, intervention and
evaluation (PB 17).

IV. REQUIRED TEXT AND READINGS

Hutchison, E.D. (2017). Essentials of Human Behavior: Integrating Person, Environment, and the Life
Course. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. ISBN: 978-1-483377728

V. POLICIES
Institutional Policies See Addendum in D2l

Program Policies
1. Assignment Policy: Promptness in completing assigned tasks and readings is a requirement of
this course. Assignments turned in late will not be accepted.
2. All written assignments will be graded on the basis of content, clarity, punctuation, grammar,
sentence structure, proofreading, APA style and overall quality of work.
3. Make-up Policy: THERE WILL BE NO MAKE-UP EXAMINATIONS WHATSOEVER. PLEASE DO NOT
ASK
4. It is expected that social work students maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of
2.00, as well as 2.00 GPA in the social work major prior to entering the senior field placement.
5. Grading:
A final course grade will based upon the following:
A 94% to 100% C+ 77% to 79%
A- 90% to 93% C 74% to 76%
B+ 87% to 89% C- 70% to 73%
B 84% to 86% D+ 67% to 69%
B- 80% to 83% D 60% to 66%
F <60%
Course Policies:
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This course encompasses four components: Lecture, class discussion, and small group facilitations/in-
class exercises. Videotapes and guest lecturers will occasionally be used to supplement the class lecture.
However, class discussions are actively encouraged and class participation is a required component of
the course. Students are expected to:

1. Attend classes regularly. Due to the nature of the course, the emphasis on integrating knowledge
with practice, skill development focus, experiential learning exercises, and attendance is required.
Excessive absence will result in a lower final grade that may include failure. Excessive absence is defined
as missing more than two classes during the semester for any reason. Four or more classes may result in
failure of the class. Excusal of student absence(s) for medical, legal, family emergency, etc., reasons is
based on presentation of official documentation (physician release, court papers, obituaries, etc.)
only. Official documentation must be presented to the Director of Academic Advising in 320/325 Saint
Edward Hall for verification. Once verified, the instructor is notified and excusal is grantedupon the
instructors discretion. Extended student absences for any reason may additionally require official
clearance to return, as determined by the offices of Student Life and Academic Affairs.

2. Read the textbook and assigned readings. Students are expected to complete the reading
assignments prior to class. A full understanding of course material cannot be acquired only by listening
to the lectures. Lectures are designed primarily to supplement, highlight or expand on aspects of the
text. They cannot substitute for the textbook. Students are responsible for all readings that are
assigned.

3. Participate in class discussions. Class participation is defined as informed presentation

of your thoughts, inferences, and ideas based on the readings, experience, and contribution to class
discussion. Good classroom conduct includes, but is not limited to: constructive engagement in class
discussion by having read the assigned readings; paying attention and behaving respectfully toward
others; and contributing ones fair share to small group activities. Behaviors that constitute poor
conduct include, but are not limited to: repeatedly coming to class late; carrying on conversations with a
classmate; using your computer for non-related class activities; studying for another class, or using a cell
phone while class is in progress. A percentage of the final grade is determined by class participation.

4. Take two (2) tests on the dates provided by the instructor. Please note: no make-up tests will be
allowed.

VI. ASSIGNMENT
1. Research paper 100 points. Learning Objectives (LO) 2, 3, 5, 6 and PB 17 PB 24
Each student will write a major paper demonstrating critical thinking about a current social topic
that impacts the person and his/her environment and an aspect of human development
(professor must approve topic). This paper will require students to reflect on theoretical
perspectives and empirical knowledge in the field of social work in an in-depth literature review
of the chosen social topic. Students will be asked to effectively communicate in writing and
orally in a class group activity about what the social issue is, assess how it impacts a person at
the biological, social, cultural, psychological, and spiritual level in his/her environment or aspect
of human development. Students must also discuss the Saint Leo value of community that
demonstrates the ways in which identified social system communities promote or deter
people in maintaining or achieving optimal health and well-being. This paper will be between
8-11 pages, typed and double spaced. Correct spelling, grammar, and sentence structure is
imperative. References must be cited correctly with a reference page included. Paper must
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follow the American Psychological Association (APA) format. See rubric at the end of the
syllabus.

2. Two Exams: (160 points; 80 points each) LO 1-7

These examinations will consist of multiple choice, true/false, and essay questions will be from
lecture, class discussion, and readings about issues affecting the person in his/her environment,
theoretical perspectives on human behavior, and ways a social worker can intervene at the
micro/mezzo/macro level. The impact on individuals, families, groups, systems and society will
be addressed.

3. IN-depth Theory learning assignment (100)

More later

4. Active Learning Exercises: In-class active learning exercises: (25 pts. x 4 = 100 points). LO 5
Each student is required to participate in six in-class active learning exercises. Students will be
given issue or values related to social work and be asked to critically analyze in groups on how
this issue could impact a person and his/her environment or development. Students may also be
asked to identify how a social worker may work with individuals, families, groups and systems
affected by these issues. Students will write up their findings and list the names of all of the
students in the group and who is presenting which part of the assignment in class. Students will
then share their findings with the rest of the class. All students in the group must share a part of
the results/findings in order to receive any credit for the assignment. Students will be graded on
clarity of presentation, grasp of the content, quality of the write up (students may use their
computer and send it as an attached file for grading). Sentence structure, grammar, spelling
must be correct. The write-up should be no more than two pages in length.

5. Class participation and attendance: (100 points)

Class participation is defined as the informed presentation of your thoughts, inferences, and
ideas based on the readings, experience, and contribution to class discussion. Attendance will
also be considered when grading. Attendance points will be based on whether you attend class
consistently and in a timely manner.

6. Grading
Research Paper: 100 points 100 points
Research Additional 40 points
Outline and reference check (20)
Peer feedback (20)
Two exams: 80 points each 160 points
4 Active Learning Exercises: 25 points each 100 points
Indepth Theory learning activity 100 points
Class participation: 100 points 100 points
TOTAL POSSIBLE POINTS 600 points

Rubric for Research Paper 100 points, Practice Behaviors (PB) 17, 24 (LO) 2, 3, 5, 6
Rating*: All grades are subject to the instructors discretion
5 = Exceptional corresponds to an A (90-100).
4 = Proficient corresponds to a grade of B- to B+ (80-89).
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3 = Average corresponds to a C- to C+ (70-79).

2 = Marginal corresponds to a D (69 to 60%).
1 = Failure corresponds to an F (59 and below). *All grades are subject to the instructors discretion

Ratings
Pts
1 = Failure 2 = Marginal 3 = Average 4 = Proficient 5 = Exceptional
25 (5 points) One or none (10 points) Two of the (15 points) Three or (20 points) All of the (25 points) All are
of the following are following are less of the following following are demonstrated in an
demonstrated: 1) a demonstrated: 1) a are demonstrated: 1) demonstrated: 1) a exemplary way: 1) a
clear introduction that clear introduction that a clear introduction clear introduction that clear introduction that
includes description of includes description of that includes includes description of includes description of
the social topic that the social topic that description of the the social topic that the social topic that
impacts the person impacts the person social topic that impacts the person impacts the person
and his/her and his/her impacts the person and his/her and his/her
environment and 2) environment and 2) and his/her environment and 2) environment and 2)
identification of identification of environment and 2) identification of identification of
theories that are theories that are identification of theories that are theories that are
relevant to the relevant to the theories that are relevant to the relevant to the
discussion; 3) a discussion; 3) a relevant to the discussion; 3) a discussion; 3) a
thorough discussion of thorough discussion of discussion; 3) a thorough discussion of thorough discussion of
topic in the body of topic in the body of thorough discussion of topic in the body of topic in the body of
the paper; 4) a small the paper; 4) a small topic in the body of the paper; 4) a small the paper; 4) a small
group presentation group presentation the paper; 4) a small group presentation group presentation
that engages the that engages the group presentation that engages the that engages the
group in discussion of group in discussion of that engages the group in discussion of group in discussion of
the topic 5) a the topic 5) a group in discussion of the topic 5) a the topic 5) a
meaningful conclusion meaningful conclusion the topic 5) a meaningful conclusion meaningful conclusion
that summarizes that summarizes meaningful conclusion that summarizes that summarizes
major points of the major points of the that summarizes major points of the major points of the
paper, and 6) includes paper, and 6) includes major points of the paper, and 6) includes paper, and 6) includes
a thorough a thorough paper, and 6) includes a thorough a thorough
identification and identification and a thorough identification and identification and
discussion of two discussion of two identification and discussion of two discussion of two
social work values and social work values and discussion of two social work values and social work values and
the Saint Leo value of the Saint Leo value of social work values and the Saint Leo value of Saint Leo value of
community and its community and its one the Saint Leo community and its community and its
relevance to the relevance to the topic. value of community relevance to topic. relevance to topic.
topic. and its relevance to
the topic.
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25 (5 points) One or none (10 Points) Two of the (15 points) Three or (20 points) All of the (25 points) PB 17, LO
of the following are following are less of the following following are 2, 6: All are
demonstrated: Paper demonstrated: Paper are demonstrated: demonstrated: Paper demonstrated in an
addresses assessment, addresses assessment, Paper addresses addresses assessment, exemplary way: Paper
intervention and intervention and assessment, intervention and addresses assessment,
evaluation as it relates evaluation as it relates intervention and evaluation as it relates intervention and
to a social issue to a social issue evaluation as it relates to a social issue evaluation as it relates
relevant to person and relevant to person and to a social issue relevant to person and to a social issue
environment or environment or relevant to person and environment or relevant to person and
human human environment or human environment or
development. Paper development. Paper human development. Paper human
includes a discussion includes a discussion development. Paper includes a discussion development. Paper
on how a social work on how a social work includes a discussion on how a social work includes a discussion
may intervene and may intervene and on how a social work may intervene and on how a social work
evaluate practice evaluate practice may intervene and evaluate practice may intervene and
regarding the regarding the evaluate practice regarding the evaluate practice
identified issue. identified issue. regarding the identified issue. regarding the
identified issue. identified issue.

25 (5 points) One or none (10 points) Two of the (15 points) Three or (20 points) All of the (25 points) P24, LO 3,
of the following are following are less of the following following are 5: All are
demonstrated: a demonstrated: a are demonstrated: a demonstrated: a demonstrated in an
thorough discussion of thorough discussion of thorough discussion of thorough discussion of exemplary way: a
concepts and concepts and concepts and concepts and thorough discussion of
theoretical theoretical theoretical theoretical concepts and
perspectives from perspectives from perspectives from perspectives from theoretical
research relevant to research relevant to research relevant to research relevant to perspectives from
the topic. Paper the topic. Paper the topic. Paper the topic. Paper research relevant to
includes an extensive includes an extensive includes an extensive includes an extensive the topic. Paper
discussion of how it discussion of how it discussion of how it discussion of how it includes an extensive
impacts the person impacts the person impacts the person impacts the person discussion of how it
and his/her and his/her and his/her and his/her impacts the person
environment or environment or environment or environment or and his/her
development. Includes development. Includes development. Includes development. Includes environment or
identification of identification of identification of identification of development. Includes
theory that has the theory that has the theory that has the theory that has the identification of
broadest explanatory broadest explanatory broadest explanatory broadest explanatory theory that has the
power relevant to the power relevant to the power relevant to the power relevant to the broadest explanatory
topic. Students will topic. Students will topic. Students will topic. Students will power relevant to the
demonstrate the ways demonstrate the ways demonstrate the ways demonstrate the ways topic. Students will
in which these social in which these social in which these social in which these social demonstrate the ways
system communities system communities system communities system communities in which these social
promote or deter promote or deter promote or deter promote or deter system communities
people in maintaining people in maintaining people in maintaining people in maintaining promote or deter
or achieving optimal or achieving optimal or achieving optimal or achieving optimal people in maintaining
health and well-being. health and well-being. health and well-being. health and well-being. or achieving optimal
health and well-being.
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25 (5 points) One or none (10 points) Two of the (15 points) Three or less (20 points)All of the (25 points) All are
of the following are following are of the following are following are demonstrated in an
demonstrated: Paper demonstrated: Paper is demonstrated: Paper is demonstrated: Paper exemplary way:
is scholarly, using APA scholarly, using APA scholarly, using APA is scholarly, using Paper is scholarly,
throughout: throughout: references throughout: references APA throughout: using APA
references cited cited appropriately and cited appropriately and references cited throughout:
appropriately and accompanying accompanying reference appropriately and references cited
accompanying reference page at the page at the end of the accompanying appropriately and
reference page at the end of the paper. paper. Paper reference page at the accompanying
end of the paper. Paper demonstrates demonstrates correct end of the paper. reference page at the
Paper demonstrates correct punctuation, punctuation, grammar, Paper demonstrates end of the paper.
correct punctuation, grammar, spelling and spelling and sentence correct punctuation, Paper demonstrates
grammar, spelling and sentence structure structure grammar, spelling correct punctuation,
structure and sentence grammar, spelling
structure and sentence
structure

VIII. Library Services Statement (See Addendum in D2L)