MSWK504

Human Behavior in the Social Environment II (HBSE II) is the second course of three in a sequence that examines the reciprocal and transactional influences between people and their environment multi-dimensionally in the context of biophysical, familial, institutional and societal factors. A major focus is on development of the human biological, psychological and social structure occurring throughout the life span. The course stresses the centrality of culture, race, ethnicity, gender and the socioeconomic environment. This course pays particular attention to the development of human life and experience from adolescence through the adult life cycle.
Using systems theory as a critical theoretical underpinning, Human Behavior in the Social Environment II stresses a non-linear view of development in which there is a continuous reciprocal interchange and mutual impact among different systems (individual, family, group, community, organizations). Human Behavior in the Social Environment I covers the life cycle from birth to late childhood. Human Behavior in the Social Environment II continues from early adolescence to old age.