The course aims to help students understand human growth and behavior throughout the entire life span from pre-birth to death within different socio-cultural contexts, including family, group, organization and community settings. The basic concepts, theories, and research findings on human growth and behavior will be introduced. Developmental issues and problems with reference to the different life stages will be covered and how human diversity, such as culture, race, gender and socioeconomic factors influence personal development across life span. The application of related knowledge to social work practice will be highlighted. The course introduces to students about the physical, psychological and social aspects of human growth and behavior and the mutual influences among individuals, families, groups, and the environment.   This course introduces students to: 

1. explain the major theoretical perspectives and empirical foundations used to understand human development and behaviour;

2. identify the biological, psychological, and social systems that influence development for each age group;

3. detect normal developmental tasks and milestones for each age group;

4. monitor the interaction between the predisposition's of the individual and the constraints and/or support of the social environment as an essential element in the human development process; and

5. discover (as appropriate), the differential effects of class, ethnicity, gender, culture, and sexual orientation in the human development process, particularly as it influences our understanding of the major theoretical perspectives.