This foundation course provides an overview of theoretical frameworks for understanding human behavior from a social work perspective. Theories reviewed include the developmental stages across the life cycle in terms of psychological, cognitive, moral, spiritual, identity and social development. Students apply a biopsychological assessment across the life span. The course emphasizes a social work perspective and key frameworks for social work, with an emphasis on the person-in-environment and systems theory as they describe diverse individual behavior in relation to social class, race and ethnicity, age, gender orientation, sexual orientation and other multicultural backgrounds. The course aims to develop students’ foundational understanding of how theories are used to promote relationship development with diverse individuals and to guide interventions across all system levels.

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