SCWK 8836 Psychodynamic Theories of Individual Development
Elective An advanced course that provides an overview of the psychodynamic theories that best explicate individual psychological development over the life cycle from a biopsychosocial perspective, with attention given to sources of development of individual strength and resilience. These theories include drive theory, ego psychology, object relations, self psychology, and intersubjectivity theory. Students will begin to learn to critique and compare theories for their applications to, and usefulness for, social work practice as they reflect particular sets of values and intersect with ethnicity, social class, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, and other forms of diversity.
Course overview
- Department
- Social Work
- School
- SSW
- Credits
- 3
- Level
- Graduate
- Offered
- Every Fall
Catalog details
- Prerequisites
- SCWK7721
Course evaluations
- Course rating
- 4.47 / 5 · Very Good
- Instructor rating
- 4.55 / 5 · Excellent
- Terms evaluated
- 6
| Term | Instructor | Course overall | Instructor overall | Well organized | Clear learning objectives | Intellectually challenging | Helpful assignments | Applicable beyond course | Attendance necessary | Weekly effort | Responses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2025 | Marina Kovarsky | 4.2 | 4.3 | 3.9 | 3.9 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 4.6 | 1–3 hrs/week | 18 of 23 |
| Summer 2025 | Marina Kovarsky | 4.4 | 4.5 | 3.8 | 4.1 | 4.8 | 4.5 | 4.9 | 4.4 | 4–6 hrs/week | 11 of 21 |
| Fall 2024 | Marina Kovarsky | 4.4 | 4.6 | 4.2 | 4.3 | 4.7 | 4.4 | 4.4 | 4.8 | 1–3 hrs/week | 17 of 22 |
| Fall 2023 | Marina Kovarsky | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 17 of 23 |
| Fall 2022 | Marina Kovarsky | 4.6 | 4.7 | 4.3 | 4.2 | 5.0 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 1–3 hrs/week | 21 of 26 |
| Fall 2021 | Marina Kovarsky | 4.6 | 4.4 | 4.4 | 4.4 | 4.6 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 4.4 | 1–3 hrs/week | 16 of 23 |