Course Information:

What: Human Behavior and the Social Environment III

When: Online asynchronous – Weekly coursework is due on Tuesdays by 11:59pm

Instructor: Victoria Murray, MSS

Email: [email protected]

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    Welcome!

    Welcome to Fall 2025 and the course site for Human Behavior and the Social Environment III!

    In this course we be exploring topics related to conceptualizing mental health and the Diagnostic Statistical Manual (DSM). We will address the following themes and questions:

    • How do we conceptualize mental health? 
    • What is the DSM, how do I engage with it? 
    • Develop foundational understanding of specific mental health disorders, topics, and themes
    • Cultural, political, and social considerations
    • Mental health and activism

    About Me

    Hello! My name is Victoria Murray (she/her) and I am an adjunct lecturer at Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College. I am also a 4th year doctoral student in Social Welfare at The Graduate Center at the City of New York. I have been a social worker since 2009 and I am passionate about trauma-informed, youth-centered, and equity driven social work. My experience includes direct youth service work, mezzo and clinical work in non-profits and outpatient settings. I love the intersection of policy and practice and I’m dedicated to the art of teaching. I’m here to support your education and look forward to learning more about your interests. Welcome to our class!

    A little bit about the format of our class…

    Instructional Methods

    The course will be conducted asynchronously (fully online). “Classes” will include weekly independent readings and media via this course site. Students will be expected to engage as active contributors in online discussions applying the required readings and other course content assigned. Individual and group assignments will be used to provide application of content, theories, and concepts toward the core competencies. If you are ever unsure of something or have a question, please email me at [email protected].

    Required Texts

    Most of our learning will take place through articles, videos, and podcasts all accessible online. However, we will utilize one text book which is accessible for free through the Hunter library online (you do not need to purchase this text book):

    American Psychiatric Association (2022). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition Text Revision. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Association.

    Note: You can use the DSM online for free through the Hunter College library. From the Hunter Libraries’ homepage, click on the DATABASES, click on the letter D, scroll to DSM Library, login with your Hunter NetID, Select DSM-5-TR in the blue bar at the top of the page.