3.00 Credits
Prerequisite(s): Admission to the MSW Program. Teaches students critical perspectives, theories, and frameworks that describe the behavior of individuals, families, interpersonal and group relationships, communities, and social and political systems. Focuses on theories and knowledge related to biological, sociological, psychological, spiritual, and cultural processes as they affect development across the lifespan as well as well-being, challenge, and coping. Emphasizes the person-in-environment framework for understanding the reciprocal nature of interactions between micro, mezzo, and macro systems. Investigates varying social environment factors, including historical, social, racial, cultural, economic privilege and power, oppression, and marginalization that impact individuals, families, organizations and communities.