SAN  DIEGO COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT
MESA
COLLEGE

 

Fall, 2007

CD141: Child, Family, and Community (Partially Online)

Donna Eckstein, PhD
619-989-6140 (voicemail)
decksteinsd@gmail.com
CRS: Chil 141; 3 Units
CRN:  93032

CATALOG COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course is a study of the dynamics of human development in a culturally pluralistic society; it will examine the influences of contemporary family living patterns and cultural patterns on the child. It will emphasize resources from schools, extended family, and the community.

PREREQUISITE: English101

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:

v     The student will be able to identify and compare various family structures, redefining and contrasting their functions and roles.

v     The student will analyze the impact of the socializing agents on the developing child.

v     The student will be able to discuss the application of developmental theories to the family and child.

v     The student will be able to discuss the dynamics of gender and sex role development.

v     The student will be introduced to the elements of the communication processes and the barriers to effective communication.

v     The student will compare and contrast cultural diversity in various styles.

v     The student will identify the major social problems confronting families in American culture.

v     The student will identify community resources and agencies available to families.

Required Text

Child, Family, School, Community by Roberta M. Burns, Seventh Edition

Harcourt College Publisher (Study guide for textbook:  Optional)

 

METHOD OF INSTRUCTION:

Methods of instruction will include online chapter outlines/discussions and assignments.

 

TIME AND LOCATION:

This hybrid class will meet in on Thursday from 6:00-9:10pm.  Hybrid class includes weekly postings and assignments.

CD 141: CHILD, FAMILY, and COMMUNITY

Unlike some topics relating to child development, being a child in relationship to a family and a community is a position we have all experienced. Consequently, our work and discussions in this class will offer you an opportunity to relate your experiences and your reactions to those experiences. To be successful in handling the subject matter you will need to be introspective and expansive in your thinking. The best (and most interesting) way to learn is by identifying with your subject. Please remember that this course is designed to enhance your understanding of the interrelationship between the child - family - community and to refine your skills in working with families from a variety of diverse backgrounds. It is important that you are open-minded and respectful of differences. It is equally important to recognize it when you are not to and work to become more accepting.

 

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

v     Active participation online is necessary. For the record: your grade will be affected after absences with weekly discussions. I have the option of dropping students who have accumulated excessive absences or do not participate with online discussions or assignments.

v     Behavior. Please refer to policy 3100 in your catalogue.

v     If you are a DSPS student or if you have special needs not officially covered by DSPS, please send me an email to let me know.

v     Any requests to your instructor must be in writing via email.

v     All assignments must be submitted online “ON TIME.” Late assignments will affect your grade.

v     Re: make-up work and extra credit: if you are doing what is assigned, you do not need either. If you are not doing what is assigned, you are not eligible for either.

v     Please note: I am your instructor. I assume this responsibility very seriously. I am not your monitor. You can earn an excellent grade in this class if you simply do your assignments and wholeheartedly participate.

 

REQUIREMENTS                                                                                                                                                             Percentage

v     Discussion Postings:   Weekly assignment and discussion postings.            20%

                                                    

v     Agency Internship: 12 documented hours of immersion in community     20% agency, which supports families and a paper describing this experience.
                                                             OR

Family Internship: 12 documented hours with a family having functional needs. You will design a method to improve their functioning. You will submit a paper   describing this experience.

v     Ethnic Research Paper about ethnic group/cultures in San Diego County. 20%

 

v     Integration & Application Paper  - OR – Chapter Outline                         20%

 

v     Midterm and Final Exam                                                                                 20%                     

                                                                                                                                     

Chil 141:  CLASS ASSIGNMENTS

 

Assignment I:  Discussion Postings (20%)

You will post your response to one assignment question and a minimum of one response to another students’ posting at the beginning of every week.  Postings are due by Wednesday night at midnight.  You will post one discussion question and a minimum of one response to another student’s posting by Sunday night at midnight of every week.  Posting reflect your ability to communicate your understanding, application, and evaluation of the information.  Grading is based on study skills that reflect your ability to apply each of the five critical thinking skills (knowledge/ comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation) and for communicating ideas (structure/organization, writing style that is clear and concise, format, and grammar).

 

Assignment II:  Agency/Family Internship (20%)
Agency Internship
: 12 documented hours of immersion in a community agency, which supports families.  Choose an agency in the community to learn about the services provided for children. . You are encouraged to interview or observe a professional or agency that is providing children’s services in a manner that you would like to provide when you complete your classes.  The focus is on a practical application that is relevant and realistic experience in the area of work or service of interest to you.  

Write a 3-5 observational summary paper describing this experience. Include a listing of community resources using the outline provided with this course.  A “Job Search Organizer” is optional.  See the outline provided for the agency presentation and resources.

 
…OR…

 

Family Internship: 12 documented hours with a family having functional needs. You will design a method to improve their functioning. You will submit a 3-5 observational summary paper describing this experience.  Include a listing of community resources being used or could be used to assist this family.

Assignment III:  Ethnic Research Paper (20%)

Write a 3-5 page research paper focusing on cultural diversity with a select

ethnic/cultural style.  Focus of the paper can include the following topics such as:

    -Analyze impact of socializing agents on developing children in this culture.

    -Identify and compare family structures, defining and contrasting their function and

      roles.

    -Discuss differences with gender, sex, and age role in the context of this culture.

    -Identify major social problems related to cultural diversity confronting families in this

     culture.

    -Identify three community resources/agencies available to families that provide support

      with needs/issues related to cultural diversity.

 

Assignment IV:  Integration & Application Paper – OR – Chapter Outline (20%)
Write a double spaced paper that is 3-5 pages in length.  Focus on comprehension,

application, and evaluation of information learned from the textbooks, observations, research, and discussion postings. Include your name and title of paper at the top of the first sheet.


Assignment V: Midterm and Final Exams (20%)

A midterm and final exam will focus on your ability to demonstrate comprehension, application, and evaluation of the information presented in this class. 

 

COURSE EVALUATION:
Assignments
                             Points        Percentage                            

Chapter Summary/Outline Presentations     100                  20

Agency/Family Internship                             100                  20

Ethnic Research Paper                                  100                  20       

Online Discussion Postings                           100                  20

Midterm and Final Exam                               100                  20

                        Grades                       

A = 90% of possible points
B = 80% of possible points

C = 70 % of possible points

D = 60 % of possible points

F = 59% and below of possible points

 

Important Deadlines – Fall 2007:

 

To continue in the course, it is your responsibility to pay all fees and process the add codes within the established time frame. It is also your responsibility to drop the course in a timely manner before the deadline to withdraw.  Check the calendar in your online courseroom for the dates for the following:

 

  • 9/5       Last day to receive process and pay for add code
  • 9/4       Deadline to drop classes with no “W” recorded
  • 9/4       Last day to drop and be eligible for refund of enrollment fees and/or
                non-resident tuition
  • 9/12     Last day to file a petition for Credit/No Credit grade option
  • 9/28     Withdrawal deadline – No drops accepted after this date
  • 10/20   End of Semester
  • 10/25   Deadline for instructors to submit final grades (6:30 pm)

CD101:  Human Growth & Development

Hybrid Class Schedule



Week 1 – Thursday, August 30

 

Class Focus:

  • Introductions & Overview of Syllabus, Assignments & Goals
  • Online Guidelines (Frequently Asked Questions) & Orientation
  • Guest Speaker, SDCCD Online Staff re: Online Postings

Online Assignments:

  • Introductions
  • Online Tutorials

 

Week 2 - Thursday, September 6

Ecology of the Child/Socialization/Family/Parenting

Class Focus:

  • Getting started:  Your Internship Observation, Process & Report
  • Samples of Assignments  
  • Guest Speaker:  Mesa College English Center re: Online Tutors
  • Class Discussion:  Chapters 1-2

                                   

Online Discussions:

  • Chapter 1:  Ecology of the Child
  • Chapter 2:  Ecology of Socialization

 

Week 3 - Thursday, September 13

Ecology of Family & Parenting

 

Class Focus: 

  • Agencies or Family Internships Identified
  • Getting started:  Your Research Assignments
  • Samples of Research Assignments
  • Class Presentations & Discussions:  Chapters 3-5

Online Discussions:

  • Chapter 3:  Ecology of the Family
  • Chapter 4:  Ecology of Parenting

 

 

 

Week 4 - Thursday, September 20

 

Ecology of the Child Care, School & Teaching


Class Focus:

  • Class Presentations & Discussions:  Chapters 6 & 7
  • Plans and Progress with Written Assignments
  • Ethnic Research Topic Identified
  • Agencies and/or Family Internship Documentation Form – First Visit              

 

Online Assignments:

  • Chapter 5:  Ecology of Child Care
  • Chapter 6:  Ecology of the School
  • Chapter 7:  Ecology of Teaching          

 

Week 5 - Thursday, September 27

Ecology of the Peer Group, Mass Media & Community

Class Focus:

  • Class Presentations & Discussions:  Chapters 8-10
  • Plans and Progress with Written Assignments
  • Relationships/Resources That Strengthen & Support the Child/Family/Community…and School Performance!

                  

Online Assignments:

  • Chapter 8:  Ecology of the Peer Group             
  • Chapter 9:  Ecology of the Mass Media
  • Chapter 10:  Ecology of the Community

 

Week 6 – Thursday, October 4

 

Emotional and Cognitive Socialization Outcomes

Class Focus:

  • Class Presentations & Discussions:  Emotional & Cognitive Socialization
  • Class Overview & Discussion of Internship Papers

 

Online Assignments:

  • Chapter 11:   Emotional & Cognitive Socialization Outcomes
  • Internship Paper Submitted Online by 11:59pm on Sunday

 

 

 

 

 

Week 7 – Thursday, October 11

 

Social & Behavioral Socialization Outcomes

 

Class Focus:

  • Class Presentations & Discussions:  Social & Behavioral Socialization
  • Class Discussion & Overview of Research Papers

 

Online Assignments: 

  • Chapter 12:  Social & Behavioral Socialization Outcomes
  • Research Papers Submitted Online by 11:59pm on Sunday

 

Week 8 – Thursday, October 18

 

Personal Integration & Wrap-Up

 

Class Focus:

  • Research & Observational Discussions
  • Personal Integration & Wrap-Up
  • Class Overview & Discussion:  Creating a Healthy Balance

 

Online Assignments:

  • Creating a Healthy Balance
  • Course review and evaluation!
  • All postings completed by Saturday night. No late work accepted!