SOWK 682: Biopsychosocial Assessment
Prerequisites: Admission to the graduate program in social work or permission of the
instructor. SOWK 679 with a B- or better or SOWK 602 with a C or better.
Credit Hours: (3)
This course focuses on identifying individual and family strengths and on viewing
behavior in context. Particular emphasis is placed on assessing the risks and the
protective factors of the person in environment from a systems perspective. This course
addresses the diagnosis of mental disorders and evidence based treatment. Issues of
diversity, cultural competence, ethics, laws, and social justice are integrated into
the course content.
Detailed Description of Content of Course
This course is designed to facilitate understanding of the standard criteria used
to diagnose individual and family dysfunction while at the same time fostering awareness
of the limitations of deficit models. Equal emphasis will be placed on the ability
to identify individual and family strengths as well as on a perspective that views
all behavior as situated within a larger environment. Consideration will be given
to an understanding of the extent to which the professional may participate in the
social construction of mental illness, to the role of the social worker and his/her
influence on client behavior, to values and ethical issues, and to the biases relative
to age, gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status inherent
in various diagnostic criteria.
The following will provide the major focal points for this course:
• Systems Theory
• DSM-IV-TR
• Mental Status Examinations
• The Diagnostic Interview
• Multiaxial Diagnosis
• Social Construction of “Normal”
• Strengths-Based Assessment
• Biopsychosocial Risk and Protective Factors
• Psychotropic Medications
• Legal Issues
• Labeling Theory
• Culturally Bound Syndromes
• Values and Ethical Issues
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
The teaching/learning context for this course may include, but is not limited to didactic
instruction, large and small group discussions, role-plays, other experiential activities,
and guest speakers as appropriate.
Goals and Objectives of the course
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to demonstrate the ability to:
1) Demonstrate skills in assessing “person-in-environment,” incorporating the biopsychosocial
model of assessment.
2) Practice within the values and ethics and legal realities of the social work profession
with an understanding of and respect for the positive value of both diversity and
culture.
3) Apply critical thinking about the assumptions, values, and bias underlying the
DSM-IV-TR.
4) Demonstrate knowledge of the DSM-IV-TR utilization in the diagnosis assessment
process and the primary intervention approaches including the use of psychotropic
medications and/or psychotherapy/case management in the treatment of these disorders.
Assessment Measures
Grades will be based on the satisfactory completion of all course requirements, which
may include but are not limited to:
• Diagnostic case studies
• Class presentations
• Research paper
• Exams or quizzes
Review and Approval
May 2, 2016