UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
OPEN UNIVERSITY
SW 202 COURSE GUIDE
1stSEMESTER, AY 2023-2024
COURSE TITLE: Human Behavior and Social Change
Facult-in-Charge: Asst. Prof. Lloyd Lyndel P. Simproios
Diploma in / Master of Social Work
Faculty of Management & Development Studies
University of the Philippines Open University
Email addresses:
[email protected] [email protected]COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course explores, through a select set of theories, the development and
interaction of individuals and communities. These key theories will help us
understand the dimensions and expression of human behavior in the social
environment.
Because empathic and skillful interventions with individuals, groups, and
communities require understanding ourselves as well as others, the course provides
an opportunity for increased self-awareness.
The course also examines how dimensions of culture and cultural contexts can
shape individual values, beliefs, worldviews, and identities and, therefore, play a role
in the helping process.
Through discussion and analysis, we will explore areas of universality and difference
in the context of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, spiritual beliefs, and
socioeconomic class, as well as the realities and influence of multiple forms of
oppression.
Finally, we will identify the limitation and relevance of these theories in actual
practice and whether it can be realistically utilized as change agents for social
transformation.
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES:
At the end the course, the students should be able to:
1. Discuss social functioning and systems perspective as fundamental
concepts and perspective in understanding human behavior and social
change situations;
2. Explain selected theories/perspectives of individual, group and
organizational behavior through application in actual/given situations;
3. Identify the relevance and limitations of theories of human behavior
and social change in actual work/engagement; and
4. Express appreciation of learning on the said theories as (future)
change agents for social transformation.
COURSE OUTLINE:
Week Topic Main Reference Learning
Activities
(Note*: other
references will be
added by the FIC and
course participants as
the class progresses)
1-2 Self-introduction, Overview of SW 202 Module Online
the Course (pp. 1-30) Discussion
Expectation setting
Social Functioning as a Key
Concept in Social Work;
Change Interventions vis-à-
vis the Systems Perspectives;
in the context of Critical
Social Work and Social
Justice
Assign groupings for Theories
(5 groups)
3 Theories of Freud and Jung SW 202 Module Class Activity
(pp. 47 – 66) # 1 (by FIC)
4 Theories of Adler, Horney and SW 202 (Module Class
Erikson 47 – 66) Activity # 2
(based on
Group 1’s
plan)
5 Learning Theories of Skinner SW 202 Module Class
and Bandura (pp. 67 – 78) Activity # 3
(based on
Group 2’s
plan)
SW 202 Module
(pp. 79 – 90)
Humanist Theories of Rogers
and Maslow
6 Filipino Psychology SW 202 Module Assignment
(pp. 91 – 100) # 1 by FIC
7 The Social Systems SW 202 Module Class
Perspectives on Group and (pp. 117 – 140; Activity #4
Dynamics and Organizations 153 – 162) (based on
Group 3’s
plan)
8 Classical and Human SW 202 Module Online
Relations Theories of (pp. 141 – 152) Discussion
Organizations
9 Social Psychology Theories SW 202 Module Assignment
(pp. 163 – 176) # 2 by FIC
10 Structural-Functional SW 202 Module Class
Perspective (177-186) Activity # 5
(based on
Group 4’s
plan)
11 Conflict Theories SW 202 Module Online
(187 – 194) Discussion
12 Perspectives on Women and FIC’s own Assignment
Gender materials #3
13 Symbolic Interactionism and SW 202 Module Class
Post-Modernism (pp. 101 – 116) Activity # 6
(based on
based on
Group 5’s
plan )
14 Anti-Oppressive Practice FIC’s own Online
(Human Rights and Social materials Discussion
Justice)
15 Integration and Synthesis Final Paper
Important notes:
1. Schedule of online discussions and learning activities will be posted by
the FIC on a weekly basis. Activities and references are NOT limited to
aforementioned references; relevant and current videos, talks and
presentations will be provided/ added when necessary.
2. Submission of final papers as final exam will be discussed with
students.
Grading System
Course requirements and their corresponding equivalent:
Participation in online discussions/ forums/
class activities
(including groupwork) 40%
Assignments 30%
Final paper 30%
Total 100%
Course requirements will be graded from 1.0 (Excellent) to 5.0 (Fail) or their
equivalent as will be stipulated in the course site. The passing grade is 3.0.
Increments if 0.25 are given between 1.0 and 3 (e.g. 1.25, 1.5, 1.75, 2.0). A
final grade of 4 is conditional which means the student who earned it must
take a removal exam for the grade to become 3.0 or 5.0 depending on the
result of the exam. An incomplete grade can also be given to a student with
EXT (for extended) under UPOU’s version. However, this will only be given to
a student with satisfactory performance in at least half of the course
requirements.
For a student to be given a final grade, s/he needs to complete the course
requirements within one year after his/her enrolment of the said subject. A
rubric system will also be provided on the basis of assessment of
requirements.
General Guidelines/House Rules
1. Specific guidelines for each course requirement/activity will be provided to
you online, about two weeks before the actual submission or conduct of
each activity. In turn, all course requirements should also be submitted
online via the course site.
2. Please follow the schedule provided by the Faculty-in-Charge (FIC). You
must visit the course site at least twice a week for any updates or
announcements.
3. Please inform the FIC ahead of time (at least one week before the activity)
if you will not be able to join the activities or submit requirements on time.
By virtue of fairness and justice, the FIC is given the discretion on the
student’s delay or non-participation to activities depending on the
circumstances as explained by the student.
4. This is an academic course, thus, all activities are for academic purposes.
You should follow policies and standards, prevailing in the academic
community with regard developing papers or assignments and academic
discussions (e.g. intellectual property rights, proper sourcing). You are
expected to show professionalism and netiquette when participating in the
online discussion. Doing otherwise will be tantamount to a violation, for
which you will be apprehended accordingly.
5. For any inquiries in relation to the course, the FIC is available via the
contact information aforementioned.
About the Faculty-in-Charge
Since October 2022, I have proudly served as a full-time regular faculty
member at UPOU. Prior to this role, I dedicated nearly a decade to the
Department of Social Welfare & Development Field Office VII, where I held
the position of area supervisor under the Pantawid Program. Additionally, I
contributed as a trainer in the pool for DSWD FO VII's gender capability-
building initiatives. Furthermore, my professional experience involved
implementation of the various sectoral programs (women and children,
elderly, persons with disabilities, solo parents, former rebels) of the Cebu
Provincial Government through its Provincial Social Welfare and Development
Office where I served as the focal person.
My academic journey includes the successful completion of my Bachelor's
degree in Social Work at Mindanao State University, Main Campus in Marawi
City. I furthered my education by pursuing a Master of Social Work degree
right here at UPOU, with a specialization in Clinical Practice.
For any inquiries or communication, please don't hesitate to contact me via
email at
[email protected]. I'm always here to assist and
collaborate.
