Class Descriptions

Behavioral, Psychosocial and Ecological Aspects of Health and Disease

SW613

Credits:	3
Prerequisites:	None
Faculty Approval Date:	09/03/2014

Course Description

This course will survey the distribution, determinants, and psychological and behavioral aspects of health and disease across the life span. Social, economic, environmental, and cultural variations in and determinants of health, disease, and quality of life will be addressed, including the influence of factors such as race, gender, sexual orientation, and biological and genetic factors. Barriers to access and utilization, geopolitical influences, environmental justice, social injustice and racism, historical trends, and future directions will be reviewed. Health beliefs and models of health behavior will be presented, including help-seeking and utilization of health services. Stress, coping and social support, adaptation to chronic illness, the influences of privilege, stigma and discrimination, quality of life, and death and dying will also be covered.

Objectives

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:

1. Describe the major causes of mortality and morbidity in the United States, and identify significant differences among various population groups. (Practice Behaviors 4.IP, 4.SPE, 4.CO, 4.MHS, 7.IP, 7.SPE, 7.CO, 7.MHS)
1.1. Discuss the impact of diversity dimensions such as ability, age, class, color, culture, ethnicity, family structure, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), marital status, national origin, race, religion or spirituality, sex, and sexual orientation across the life span. (Practice Behaviors 4.IP, 4.SPE, 4.CO, 4.MHS, 7.IP, 7.SPE, 7.CO, 7.MHS)
1.2. Discuss the influence of social, economic, geopolitical, and environmental factors on mortality and morbidity. (Practice Behaviors 5.IP, 5.SPE, 5.CO, 5.MHS)
1.3. Discuss the ethical and social justice implications of differences in mortality and morbidity across population subgroups. (Practice Behaviors 2.IP, 2.CO, 2.SPE, 2.MHS, 5.IP, 5.SPE, 5.CO, 5.MHS)
2. Compare concepts and definitions of health and disease, including their evolution, strengths, and limitations, as well as the implications for social work and social welfare. (Practice Behaviors 7.IP, 7.SPE, 7.CO, 7.MHS)
2.1. Identify biological, socioeconomic, cultural, and behavioral risk and protective factors for health, disease, and quality of life across the life span. (Practice Behaviors 7.IP, 7.SPE, 7.CO, 7.MHS)
2.2. Explain the impact of poverty, discrimination, and privilege on health status and disease outcomes, including the ethical and social justice implications. (Practice Behaviors 5.IP, 5.SPE, 5.CO, 5.MHS)
2.3. Discuss the implications of concepts of health and disease for health promotion, disease prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation. (Practice Behaviors 7.IP, 7.SPE, 7.CO, 7.MHS)
3. Describe current theories and models of health behavior and their implications for health promotion, disease prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation. (Practice Behaviors 7.IP, 7.SPE, 7.CO, 7.MHS)
3.1. Describe socioeconomic, cultural, and religious differences in health beliefs and practices, utilization of health services, and barriers to care. (Practice Behaviors 4.IP, 4.SPE, 4.CO, 4.MHS)
3.2. Describe stress, strain, coping, and adaptation as they relate to health and disease across the life span. (Practice Behaviors 7.IP, 7.SPE, 7.CO, 7.MHS)

Design

The course format will include lectures, discussion, individual and group projects, written assignments, and guest speakers.

Intensive Focus on Privilege, Oppression, Diversity and Social Justice (PODS)

This course integrates PODS content and skills with a special emphasis on the identification of theories, practice and/or policies that promote social justice, illuminate injustices and are consistent with scientific and professional knowledge. Through the use of a variety of instructional methods, this course will support students developing a vision of social justice, learn to recognize and reduce mechanisms that support oppression and injustice, work toward social justice processes, apply intersectionality and intercultural frameworks and strengthen critical consciousness, self knowledge and self awareness to facilitate PODS learning.