HUMAN GROWTH AND DIVERSITY
Introduction and aims
This module provides an overview of human development and identity. It examines theories of human growth and development throughout the life cycle, and how, at
different points across the life cycle people’s identities are shaped by their social, political economic and cultural locations. There will be a particular focus on
how inequality, adversity and oppression can significantly affect people’s experiences. The module will examine how social workers can engage with people to
understand their experiences, and how collaborative and enabling practices can be undertaken to challenge discrimination and social marginalisation, and support human
growth and diversity.
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
• Demonstrate knowledge of theories of human development across the life cycle
• Relate knowledge of human development to social work practice and working with service users at different stages of the life cycle
• Recognise the significance of social divisions; how inequality adversity and oppression can affect people’s lives
• Analyse how individuals are located within social systems and structures
• Demonstrate understanding of how power relations underpin discrimination and marginalisation
• Explore opportunities for empowering and enabling social work that challenges oppression
• Analyse the way that social work involves using power as well as challenging oppressions and the difficulties this can create
Syllabus
This module will consider:
• Psychological, biological and social theories of human growth and development across the life cycle
• Psychological and social approaches to identity across the life cycle
• Social divisions, discrimination and oppression
• Cultural competence, and anti-discriminatory and anti-oppressive practice
• Critical social work responses to discrimination and marginalisation, and how social workers understand and engage with power
KEY
Module administration/assignment tasks
Theories of Development
Theories of Diversity
Barriers to Human Development
Assessment
Formative assessment
• Group presentations exploring how an understanding of human development and identity informs social work practice. Students will be required to work together
in assigned groups to plan and design a presentation, and will receive feedback from peers and staff.
“Working in small groups, choose one of the theories or approaches to development or diversity which have been taught in the module so far. Using as imaginative and
applicable a methodology as possible, present to your peers an analysis of the usefulness of the approach to social work today”.
Summative assessment
• This will be a 5000 word essay providing a critical analysis of a case study. The mark received will form 100% of the student’s overall grade for this module:
• You will be provided with case studies. You should choose one of these case studies, and identify and analyse key themes in relation to:
• Human growth and development throughout the life cycle
• and
• Identity, diversity and social exclusion
• The essay should include:
• A critical analysis of theories of human development, and how they would inform your understanding of this scenario
• A critical analysis of theoretical perspectives on identity and diversity, and how they would inform your understanding of this scenario
• An awareness of the links between human growth, identity and diversity
• A critical analysis of how ideas about critical, anti-discriminatory and anti-oppressive social work inform your understanding of this scenario
• A discussion of how your knowledge of human growth and diversity might inform your engagement with the service users in this scenario*
• An awareness of literature supporting and opposing your line of argument
* this assignment is not intended to assess your understanding of methods of intervention. A heavy focus on methods will distract from the core purpose of this
assignment, which is analysis of the scenario demonstrating your understanding of human growth and diversity.
Students should refer to the ‘Assessment and Examination’ section of the handbook for guidance on the submission and assessment of all summative assessments.
A copy of the marking proforma is included below
Reading List
Core text(s):
• Payne, G., (ed). (2013) Social Divisions (3rd edition). Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan.
• Sudbery, J. (2010) Human Growth and Development. Abingdon, Routledge.
Helpful texts:
Beckett, C. and Taylor, H. (2010) Human Growth and Development (2nd edition). London, Sage.
Bhatti-Sinclair, K. (2011). Anti-Racist Practice in Social Work. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Crawford, K. and Walker, J. (2014) Social Work and Human Development (4th edition). London, Learning Matters
Daniel, B., Wassell, S. and Gilligan, R. (2010) Child Development for Childcare and Protection Workers. London, Jessica Kingsley.
Green, L. (2010) Understanding the Life Course: Sociological and Psychological Perspectives. Cambridge, Polity Press.
Nicolson, P. (2014) A Critical Approach to Human Growth and Development. Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan.
Parrish, M. (2014) Social Work Perspectives on Human Behaviour (2nd edition). Maidenhead, Open University Press.
Priestley, M. (2003) Disability: A Life Course Approach. Cambridge: Polity Press.
Tanner, D. (2010) Managing the Ageing Experience: Learning from Older People. Bristol: Policy Press.
Warwick-Booth, L. (2013) Social Inequality. London, Sage.
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