UNIVERSITY AT ALBANY
STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK
SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WELFARE

Summer 2008
RSSW 611: Human Behavior and the Social Environment II
Arlene Istar Lev LCSW, CASAC
518-438-2222

Course Description

This is the second course in the human behavior and social environment sequence. Whereas HBSE I focused on normal development, this course focuses on psychosocial dysfunction. Health and dysfunction of individuals and families are viewed within a framework that emphasizes the multiple determinants of human behavior. Content is selected and organized based on the view that healthy emotional and social development is related to biological, psychological, social, and environmental factors. The course is premised on the assumption that knowledge of etiology of psychosocial function and dysfunction provides the basis for effective prevention and intervention.

Learning Objectives

1. To understand, evaluate, and integrate different and evolving theoretical perspectives and empirical knowledge about psychosocial dysfunction.

2. To understand the interrelationships among the biological, psychological, social, and environmental determinants that contribute to the development and maintenance of dysfunctional behavior.

3. To understand and appreciate gender, ethnic, and racial differences in expressing and ameliorating psychosocial dysfunction.

4. To be able to differentiate between functional and dysfunctional adaptive patterns and coping strategies.

5. To be able to use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and to recognize its limitations.

6. To develop a beginning awareness of interventions appropriate to various psychosocial dysfunctions.

7. To identify areas appropriate for collaboration and consultation with members of other disciplines.

8. To demonstrate an ability to understand the role of discrimination and oppression in relation to dysfunctional human development.

Required Texts

American Psychiatric Association (2000). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV-TR (4^th edition, text revision). Washington, DC: APA.

Gray, S. W. & Zide, M. R. (2008). Psychopathology: A Competency-Based Assessment Model for Social Worker (2cd Edition). Belmont, CA, Thompson Higher Education.

Books are available at Mary Jane Books 215 Western Ave. 465-2238 maryjane@acmenet.net

Supplemental readings are available through the ERES system. The Course page is:

http://eres.ulib.albany.edu/coursepage.asp?cid=1074 or just go to the University Library online and search ìERESî (E-Reserve)óthe password is ssw611lev.

Learning Experience and Grading

The majority of the material will be presented didactically, with in-class discussions. Students are expected to be prepared for class and able to participate in class discussions. Students will be evaluated by quizzes, and a take- home midterm and final. Preparation for these exams will entail some additional library research, viewing of films, in addition to class reading materials. In order to adequately answer the questions you will need to support your answers by citing the assigned readings, lectures and class discussions. All written work must be typed, double-spaced, and carefully checked for typographical errors. Thoroughness and creativity are strongly encouraged and rewarded. All papers will be graded on the quality of the presentation, i.e., grammar, spelling and the logical flow of ideas, as well as content. If inadequate attention is paid to the presentation of the paper, the grade will be reduced. Correct APA format is expected. You must discuss any delay in submitting your papers to the instructor before the due date. Late papers without prior consent of instructor will be graded deducting 5 point for each day it is late. Use APA style for citing references.

If there is a personal situation that affects your ability to meet expectations (i.e. physical limitations, language barriers), or if you are unable to hand in work in a timely manner due to illness or natural disaster (i.e. the dog ate it) you must discuss this with the instructor prior to do the due date of the project, so appropriate arrangements can be made.

Students will be held the highest standards of academic integrity as outlined in your Graduate Bulletin. It is your responsibility to be aware of SUNY's rules regarding plagiarism, collaboration, cheating and multiple submissions.

Grades will be determined in the following ways:

10% of your grade will be determined by your class Discussions.

10 % of your grade will be in class Quizzes.

40% of your grade will be a Midterm Exam.

40% of your grade will be a Final Exam.

In case of inclement weather: If the University is closed, class will be cancelled. The University's weather condition hotline provides official information about the status of classes. The telephone number is (518) 442-SNOW and is operated at all times.

Course Outline and Required Readings

Lecture: The History and Politics of Mental Illness

• Grof, C. and Grof, G. (1990) The Stormy Search of Self. CA: Jeremy P. Tarcher, Inc. Part I, pp. 31-45.
• Carpenter, J. (2002). Mental health recovery paradigm: Implications for social work. Health and Social Work 27 (2), 86-95.
• Isaac R. Galatzer-Levy, I.R, & Galatzer-Levy, R.M. (2007). The Revolution in Psychiatric Diagnosis: Problems at the foundations. Perspectives in Biology and Medicine, 50 (2), 161-180.
• Kutchins, H., and Kirk, S.A. (1997) Pathologizing everyday behavior. In Making Us Crazy. The Free Press/NY. pp. 21-54.
• Widgier, T.A., & Sankis, L.M. (2000). Adult psychopathology: Issues and controversies. Annual Review of Psychology, 51, 377-404.

Lecture: Overview of the DSM

DSM: Introduction

Text: Chapter 1

• Brown, L. (1994). Naming the Pain: Diagnosis and distress. In Subversive Dialogues: Theory in Feminist Therapy. Basic Books:NY pp. 125-152.
• Duncan, B, Miller, S, & Sparks, J. (2000). Exposing the Myths: How Soft Sell has Replaced Hard Science. Networker, March/April pp 24-33.
• Jensen, P.S. & Hoagwood, K., (1997). The book of names: DSM-IV in context. Development and Psychopathology, 9, 231-249.
• Lopez, S.R., & Guarnaccia, P.J. (2000). Cultural psychopathology: Uncovering the social world of mental illness. Annual Review of Psychology, 51, 571-598.
• McQuaide, S. A. (1999). Social worker's use of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual. Families in Society, 80, 410-416.
• Wylie, M.S. (1995) Diagnosing for Dollars. Family Therapy Networker, May/June.

Lecture: Anxiety Disorders and A Theory of Trauma

DSM: Anxiety Disorders

Text: Chapter 5 and Chapter 7

• Burstow, B. (2003). Towards a radical understanding of trauma and trauma work. Violence Against Women 9 (11) 1293-1317
• Herman, J.L. (1992) Trauma and Recovery. N.Y.: Basic Books. A New Diagnosis pp. 115-129.
• Layton, M. (1995) Emerging from the shadows. Family Therapy Networker, May/June.
• Miller, D. (1994). The body as battleground (chapter two).Women who hurt themselves: A book of hope and understanding. NY: BasicBooks. Pp. 40-69.
• Kluft, R. P. (2003). Current issues in Dissociative Identity Disorder. Bridging Eastern and Western Psychiatry, I (1).

Lecture: Psychosexual Disorders

DSM-IV-Gender Identity Disorder; Sexual Disorders.

• Lev, A.I. (2005). Disordering gender identity: Gender identity disorder in the DSM-IV-R. Journal of Psychology and Human Sexuality, 17 (3/4), 35-69.
• Wilson, K. (2005). Gender Dissonance: Diagnostic Reform of Gender Identity. Journal of Psychology and Human Sexuality, 17 (3/4), 71-89.
• Packet on GID on ERES

Lecture: Family Violence

• Albany, NY: The State Education Department (2001). The identification and reporting of child abuse and maltreatment: New York State Syllabus (pp.3-71). The University of the State of New York.
• Bell, H. (2003). Strengths and secondary trauma in family violence work, Social Work, 48(4), 513-522.
• Calof, D. (1993) Facing the truth about false memory. Family Therapy Networker. Sept./Oct.
• Courtois, C.A. ( 1999). Recollections of sexual abuse: Treatment principles and guidelines. Child Sexual Abuse and Memory (Chapter 4, pp. 117-146). NY: Norton.
• Jennings, A. (1994). On being invisible in the mental health system. The Journal of Mental Health Administration 21(4), 374-387.
• Lev, A.I., and Lev, S.S. (1999) Sexual assault in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered communities. In. Joan C. McClennen and J. Gunther (Eds.) A Professional Guide to Understanding Gay and Lesbian Domestic Violence: Understanding practice interventions. Lewiston NY: Edwin Mellen Press. pp. 35-62.

Lecture: Addictions

DSM: Addictive Behavior; Substance Abuse.

Text: Chapter 10

• Amodeo, M. and Liftik, J. (1990). Working through denial in alcoholism. Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Human Services. 71, 131-135.
• Barbara, A.M. (2002). Substance abuse treatment with lesbian, gay and bisexual People: A qualitative study of service providers. Journal of Gay & Lesbian Social Services, 14(4), 1-17.
• Chartas, N.D., and Culbreth, J.R. (2001). Counselor Treatment of Coexisting Domestic Violence and Substance Abuse: A Qualitative Study. Journal of Addictions and Offender Counseling. 22 (2), 2-10.
• Krestan, J., and Bepko, C. (1991). Codependency: The social reconstruction of female experience. Journal of Feminist Family Therapy, 3 3/4.
• Nelson-Zlupko, l, Kaufman, E., and Dore, M.M. (1995). Gender differences in drug addiction and treatment: Implications for social work intervention with substance-abusing women. Social Work, 40, 45-54.
• Terrell, M.D. (1993). Ethnocultural factors and substance abuse: Toward culturally sensitive treatment models. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 7, 162-167.
• Treloar, C. & Holt, M. (2006). Deficit models and divergent philosophies: Service providersí perspectives on barriers and incentives to drug treatment. Drugs: education, prevention and policy, 13(4): 367ñ382.
• National Institute of Drug Abuse (2007). Drugs, Brains and Behavior. US Dept of Health and Human Services, pp. 1-31.

Lecture: Schizophrenia

DSM: Schizophrenia

Text: Chapter 3

• Gellis, Z. (2006). Older adults with mental and emotional problems. In B. Berkman (Ed.). Handbook of Social Work in Health and Aging (pp. 129-139). NY: Oxford University Press.
• Goodman, L.A., Dutton, M.A., and Harris, M. (1995). Episodically homeless women with serious mental illness: Prevalence of physical and sexual assault. Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 66 (4), 468-478.
• Linhorst, D.M., Hamiliton, G., Young, E. & Eckert, A. (2002). Opportunities and barriers to empowering people with severe mental illness through participation in treatment planning. Social Work, 47(4), 425-448.
• Simon, C.E., McNeil, J.S., Franklin, C. And Cooperman, A. (1991). The family and schizophrenia: Toward a psychoeducational approach. Families in Society, 72, 323-333.
• Mancini, M., Hardiman, E. and Lawson, H. (2005). Making sense of it all: Consumer providersí theories about factors facilitating and impeding recovery from psychiatric disabilities. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 29, (1), 48-55.
• Weinberger, D.R. (1997). The biological basis for schizophrenia: New directions. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 58 (suppl 10).

Lecture: Disorders First Evidenced in Infancy, Childhood, or Adolescence

DSM: Disorders First Evidenced in Infancy, Childhood, or Adolescence.

• Greene, R.W & Ablon, J.S. (2006). Treating Explosive Kids: The Collaborative Problem-Solving Approach (Chapter One). NY: Guildford Press.
• Hanson, R. F. &Spratt, E. G. (2000) Reactive Attachment Disorder: What We Know About the Disorder and Implications for Treatment. Child Maltreatment, 5(2), 137-145. Sage Publications.
• Koenig, K. & Scahill, L. (2001). Assessment of Children with Pervasive Developmental Disorder, JCAPN, 14 (4).
• Papolos, D. & Papolos J. (2006). The Diagnostic Dilemma (Chapter 2 pp. 27-57). In The Bipolar Child (3^rd Edition). NY: Broadway Books.
• Department of Health and Human Services (2007). Autism Spectrum Disorders. Autism Spectrum Disorders (Pervasive Developmental Disorders) Nation Institute of Health, pp. 1-37.
• Velting, O.N., Setzer, N. J. & Albano, A.M. (2004). Update on and advances in assessment and cognitiveñbehavioral treatment of anxiety disorders in children and adolescents. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice 35, (1), 42ñ54.

Guest Lecture: Laura Tice

DSM: Eating Disorders

Text: Chapter 8.

• Mowbrey, C. T., Oyserman, D., Lutz, C, & Purnell, R. (1997). Women: The ignored minority. In L. Spaniol, C. Gagne & M. (Eds.) Koehler. Psychological and social aspects of psychiatric disability, pp. 171-194.
• Bacon, L., Stern, J.S., Van Loan, M.D., Keim, N.L. (2005). Size acceptance and intuitive eating improve health for obese, female chronic dieters. American Dietetic Association, 105, (6, June), 929-936.
• Wonderlich, S.A., Crosby, R.D., Mitchell, J.E., Thompson, K.M, Redlin, J., Demuth, G., Smyth, J., and Haseltine, B. (2001). Eating disturbances and sexual trauma in childhood and adulthood. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 30, 401-412.

Lecture: Mood Disorders, Bipolar Disorder, Suicidality

DSM: Mood Disorders.

Text: Chapter 4.

• Diamond, R. J. (2002). Chapter 2: The basics of psychopharmacology. In R. Diamond Instant Psychopharmacology (2nd Ed.) (pp. 17 ñ 31) New York: W. W. Norton & Company.
• Ivanoff, A. & Riedel, M. (1995) Suicide. Encyclopedia of Social Work, NASW, 2358-2369.
• Miklowitz, D.J. (2001). Bipolar disorder. In David H. Barlow (Ed.) Clinical Handbook of Psychological Disorder, (Third Ed.) (pp. 523-561). NY: Gilford Press.
• Moore, T. (1992), Gifts of Depression. In Care of the Soul. Perennial Books.
• Mowbrey, C. T., Oyserman, D. & Ross, S. (1995). Parenting and the significance of children for women with a serious mental illness. Journal of Mental Health Administration 22:2, 189-200.
• Sheline, Y.I., Gado, M.H., & Kraemer, H.C. (2003). Untreated depression and

hippocampal volume loss. American Journal of Psychiatry, 160, 1516-1518.

• Taffel, R. (1990). The politics of mood. Family Therapy Networker. Oct.

DSM: Personality Disorders and Other DSM Disorders.

Text: Chapter 9, Chapter 2, and Chapter 6

• Roberts, S.C. (1992) Multiple Realities. Common Boundary.
• Soloff, P.H., Lynch, K.G., and Kelly, T.M (2002). Childhood abuse as a risk factor for suicidal behavior in borderline personality disorder. Journal of Personality Disorders, 16(3), 201-214.
• Zlotnick, C., Rothschild, L., and Zimmerman, M. (2005). The role of gender in the clinical presentation of patients with borderline personality disorder. Journal of Personality Disorders, 16(3), 277-282.