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Human Development and Behaviour

Unit code: SWB102
Credit points: 12
Information about fees and unit costs

This unit introduces students to a range of individual, familial and social conditions that impact on the lives and lifestyles of Australians. Attention is directed toward the impact of factors such as age, ability, gender, culture and class, and the identification and exploration of key processes in human growth and development. Students become informed about theories from a range of disciplines and develop a critical and reflective approach to understanding human development. By examining how societies define and respond to human need and adversity students develop a framework for examining the dynamic interaction of individual, interpersonal and social forces. [SWB102 is incompatible with HHB102]

Availability
Semester Available
2013 Semester 1 Yes

Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

Social work and human service students are studying for professional careers that enhance people's personal and social wellbeing and development, enhance problem solving in relationships, and promote human rights and social justice. To do this you need to understand how individual development and behaviour are shaped by a range of factors including biological, psychological, socio-cultural, political and economic factors. You will learn about a range of theories of development and behaviour and consider the implications of such ideas for social work and human service practice. You will learn about key aspects of human behaviour such as emotion, motivation and socialisation and integrate and communicate this knowledge. Studying this information in the first year of the course provides you with necessary foundational information about people and the environments that shape their lives.

Aims

This unit is designed to provide you with foundational knowledge of human development and behaviour, which contributes to meeting the course aims of enabling you to promote individual wellbeing and possess knowledge for intervention to better meet client needs.

Objectives

After completing this unit you will:

  1. demonstrate foundational knowledge of theories of human development (GSV1 - 1.1, 1.2, 1.3);

  2. demonstrate foundational knowledge of theories of human behaviour (GSV1 - 1.1, 1.3);

  3. demonstrate effective communication strategies by integrating knowledge of individual and social behaviour with skills of written communication and self-management (GVS2 - 2.3, 2.7; GVS4 - 4.2); and

  4. demonstrate competence in analytical and critical thinking in the construction of a personal/professional knowledge base for social work and human service practice (GVS3 - 3.1, 3.3).


    5. Learning outcomes link to:
      AASW Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards: 3.1, 3.6, 4.1.1, 4.1.3, 4.1.4, 4.2.2
      AASW Practice Standards: 1.1, 1.7, 2.1, 2.3
      AIWCW Core Competencies: 1.1, 1.6, 2.2, 2.3, 4.1, 4.4, 6.2

      Content

      You will be learning about:

      • how people typically develop and mature over their lives and how social roles and behaviour alter accordingly;

      • the importance of biological, psychological and socio-cultural contexts of development;

      • impact of trauma and deprivation on human development and behaviour;

      • the development of self;

      • responses to stress;

      • dynamics of relationships;

      • coping and adaptation;

      • motivation;

      • cognitive development;

      • emotional development.

      Approaches to Teaching and Learning

      The unit will involve three hours of on-campus sessions per week and an amount of independent study to read unit material and prepare your assessment items usually averaging around 10-12 hours per week. You will participate in large and small group activities including lecture attendance, discussions and informal question and answer sessions. Blackboard will provide an important medium for communication resources, incorporating the use of podcasts, blogs and wikis. Case studies and video critique will support your efforts to apply the theories you are learning about to individuals and communities. This range of activities is designed to provide a number of different formats for students to learn about and discuss the diverse theories they will be exposed to.

      Assessment

      There are two pieces of assessment for this unit: a literature review and a case study essay.You will have opportunities to gain formative feedback during the semester. Monthly informal question and answer times are offered during which time you can seek advice about your work in progress. Formative feedback is specifically provided with the first submission for Assessment Item 1 (see below).

      Assessment name: Literature Review
      Description: This assessment item will involve a 1500 word review of the literature and tutorial discussions regarding one of the theoretical concepts discussed in the lectures and tutorials (eg Attachment theory) and the way this concept informs your understanding of human development and behaviour.
      Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3, & 4.
      Weight: 40%
      Internal or external: Internal
      Group or individual: Individual
      Due date: Week 8

      Assessment name: Case Study Analysis
      Description: This essay (2,000 words) will involve you in selecting and analysing one of several case studies that will be discussed throughout the semester. You will demonstrate your learning by analysing and assessing theories, issues, influences and processes impacting on the selected individual's development and behaviour.
      Relates to objectives: 1, 2, & 4.
      Weight: 60%
      Internal or external: Internal
      Group or individual: Individual
      Due date: Week 13

      Academic Honesty

      QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

      A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

      Resource materials

      The prescribed text for this unit will be:

      Harms, L. (2010). Understanding human development: a multidimensional approach (2nd ed.). Melbourne: Oxford University Press.

      You will also be provided with a reading schedule which will include material from the following sources. Required readings will either be from the text or available as an EBook or via the Course Materials Database. These books will also be useful for you in your research for your final essay.

      Crawford, K., & Walker, J. (2010). Social work and human development. Exeter: Learning Matters.
      Hutchison, E. and Contributors. (2011). Dimensions of human behavior: Person and environment. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
      Ingleby, E. (2010). Applied psychology for social workers. Exeter: Learning Matters.
      Parrish, M. (2009). Social work perspectives on human behaviour [eBook]. Maidenhead, UK: Open University Press.
      Westen, D., Burton, L., & Kowalski, R.W. (2008). Psychology: Australian and New Zealand Edition ebook (2nd ed.). Milton: John Wiley & Sons.

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      Risk assessment statement

      There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.

      Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

      Last modified: 17-Oct-2012