HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT ACROSS THE LIFE COURSE
SYLLABUS, HMS320 

Instructor: Holmes; Office: W4-144/09; Phone: 617-287-7328; Email: william.holmes@umb.edu; Website: http://www.faculty.umb.edu/william_holmes/
Hours: M, 3:30-4:30; Tu, 11-12; W, 3:30-4:30; Th, 11-12

PURPOSE OF COURSE: to provide basic knowledge about theories and research on human behavior and social environments, to develop understanding of the process of human behavior and changes over the life span, to identify developmental milestones, and improve skills in applying theory and understanding to human service issues in human behavior.  

OBJECTIVES
The course will cover theories of how human behavior and development  is influenced by social, psychological, and physical environments.  It will result in greater understanding of changes in behavior over one’s life span and factors that influence these changes.  It will allow students to identify achievement in developmental milestones and social services that foster such achievement.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS: there will be four assignments.  They will address issues of early childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and maturity, respectively.  Each paper should be five to seven pages long, in a standard format, with complete references.  APA format is recommended.  All citations must have complete references in the bibliography.  All quotations and extended paraphrasing must have citations.

Students are expected to adhere to the University’s code of conduct and professional standards of behavior.  Plagiarism is forbidden.  Use of electronic recording or communication devices in class is forbidden unless authorized by the instructor.  Students who have a disability for which they wish an accommodation are encouraged to discuss this with the instructor.

Evaluation of assignments is based equally on accuracy of  information in papers, description of milestones, challenges, and theories and influences on the milestones.  It is also based on clarity, accuracy, and proficiency in expressing your ideas.  Students are expected to attend class and participate in class discussions. If a student must miss class, you are encouraged to notify the instructor in advance of the class. If you submit an assignment by email, your last name should appear as part of the file name as well as an indication of which assignment it is.

Required text: Zastrow, C. and Kirst-Ashman, K. 2009. Understanding Human Behavior and the Social Environment.  Brooks-Cole Publishers.

ASSIGNMENTS
The four papers will address topics of early childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and maturity. Your assignments will have to describe a milestone at each developmental stage and a challenge in achieving that milestone.  For these assignments you will summarize how this milestone is affected by heredity, parenting, social relationships, and the environment.  You will discuss two theories relevant to achieving the milestone, describe how each theory says the milestone can be met, and discuss how the challenge to meeting the milestone may be overcome.  In addition, you will need to discuss services, policies, or programs that may help achieve the milestone.  

COURSE SESSIONS
1.	Overview
Z&K, c. 1
2.	Biology and Infancy
Z&K, c. 2 
3.	Psychology and Infancy
Z&K, c. 3 
4.	Social Environments and Infancy
Z&K, c. 4
5.	Ethnocentrism, Racism, and Infancy
Z&K, c. 5
	Assignment 1 due
6.	Biology and Adolescence
Z&K, c. 6
7.	Psychology and Adolescence
Z&K, c. 7
8.	Social Environments and Adolescence
Z&K, c. 8
9.	Gender Identity and Adulthood
Z&K, c. 9
Assignment 2 due
10.	Biology and Adulthood
Z&K, c. 10
11.	Psychology and Adulthood
Z&K, c. 11
12.	Social Environments and Maturity
Z&K, c. 12
13.	Biology and Maturity
Z&K, c. 14
	Assignment 3 due
	14.	Psychology and Maturity
	Z&K, c 15 
15.	Social Environments and Maturity
	Z&K, c 16
	Assignment 4 due