EFFECTIVE PARENTING - FCS 415
Winter, 2001 3 credit hours


Instructor: Bryce Dickey Sec. 1: T, 3-5:30 3004 Kohrman
Phone: 387-3712
Email: e.b.dickey@wmich.edu Sec. 2: W, 3-5:30 3064 Kohrman
Office: 3026 Kohrman
Hours: Wed. 2-3

I. Course Description
Preparation for parenthood. Study of the relationships between the child, his/her development, the process of parental development, school, and family relationships. Special attention to the systems theory as it applies to the family.
This class satisfies the University Baccalaureate-Level Writing Requirement.
Prerequisite: FCS 214, Child Development

II. Program goals
The goals of the Family Studies curriculum are to increase knowledge and promote understanding about research and theory of the following:
Families in society
The internal dynamics of families
Human growth and development

Human Sexuality

Interpersonal relationships
Family resource management
Parent education and guidance

Family, law and public policy

Ethics
Family life education

III. Educational Objectives
Through meeting the requirements of this course the student will:

A.Gain an understanding of how parents teach, guide and influence children and adolescents based on knowledge of parenting as a process, family systems theory, and the basic needs of a child.

B.Examine families and their relationships to other institutions in society based on a knowledge of various family structures and functions.

C.Recognize the internal dynamics of families and how parents and children relate to each other based on communication patterns, conflict management, and special needs.

D.Identify the developmental tasks of parents and how they relate to the human growth and development stages of children.

E. Discuss family law and public policy as it affects the family.

F. Analyze family life education based on understanding how the formation of social attitudes and values relates to parenting issues and recognizing the positive and negative implications of social and technological changes on parenting.

IV. Required Reading

A. Bigner, Jerry J. (5th Edition), Parent-Child Relations. New York: Macmillan College Publishing Company, Inc.

B. Coursepack: FCS 415

V. Requirements

A. Point Values of Requirements:

points    assignments
100     Issue Paper
100     Media Study
50       Field Trip (attendance and report)
50       Positive Parenting Activity
50       Mid-term exam
50       Final exam
100    Attendance, participation (in-class activities) and assignments. Assignments include but are not limited to:Reaction papers, Erikson jigsaw, Family of Origin exercise, Adolescence worksheet, Issue paper proposal

The points from exams, papers, exercises, assignments and presentations will be added on a cumulative basis. Keep track of your points through the semester so you will know how you stand. The following distribution will be used for grading purposes:

 

93%-100%	465-500	A
87%-92%	435-464	BA
80%-86%	400-434	B
73%-79%	365-399	CB
67%-72%	335-364	C
60%-66%	300-334	DC
53%-59%	265-299	D
0-52%	0-264	E

B. Description of Requirements:

This course fulfills the Departmental and University objectives for an upper-level baccalaureate writing requirement. The writing assignments are designed in compliance with the objectives of that requirement.

The writing assignment should further the ability to analyze and evaluate writing, the ability to construct and develop a point or idea, the ability to develop organized paragraphs and use appropriate transition devices, and the ability to employ the grammatical and mechanical conventions of standard written English.

-Taken from the General Education Policies, Fall 1996

ISSUE PAPER ASSIGNMENT- 100 points
ACADEMIC and REFLECTIVE WRITING ASSIGNMENT

Almost daily, in the news media, in congressional hearings and in casual conversation, we hear about Americans of all ages, races, socio-economic status, etc. taking opposing positions on contemporary parenting issues. This position-statement paper requirement provides the student an opportunity to take a strong stance regarding a controversial topic, to perform independent research to support the position taken, and to present the information in a scholarly manner. An issue paper proposal (coursepack pg. 22) must be submitted for approval.
This is a significant assignment, and should be planned well in advance. The instructions that follow are intentionally specific. Issue Papers should be typewritten or wordprocessed, double-spaced, using 12 point font, and a minimum of three pages and not longer than five pages of text in addition to the cover page and the references. The manuscript will be prepared in accordance with the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA). A minimum of three of the total references used in support of your position must be from recent (since 1994) scholarly journals. It is expected that there will be no grammatical or spelling errors. It is required that students utilize the services of the Writing Center no later than one week prior to the due date for the assignment to ensure compliance with all requirements of this assignment. Use a single-page cover sheet, do not place your paper in any form of carrier or cover, place a single staple in the upper left-hand corner of the paper.
Identify the issue or issues, take a position, develop the subject in a scholarly manner, present evidence and documentation to support your position, and draw appropriate conclusions based upon your evidence. Connect your arguments to information derived from this course. Refer to theories, concepts, or other ideas about effective parenting from the text, class discussions or other associated sources. Define the issue, and state your position in the opening paragraphs; restate your position and present a strong and clear conclusion in the closing paragraphs.
While imagination and style merit attention, a well-written but poorly researched or presented paper will not receive a maximum grade; and a well researched paper that is poorly written or constructed will not receive a maximum grade. It is the development of a critical thinking approach to information , as well as the technical writing components which are the ultimate purpose of this assignment.
Following is the University Library web site which will assist you in your APA referencing: http://www.wmich.edu/library/handouts. For further information refer to the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 4th Edition

CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION OF ISSUE PAPER:

1.Documentation of review by Writing Lab(10 pts.)

2. Followed directions: Typed, 12pt. Font(5 pts.)

double-spaced, 3 - 5 pages, etc.

3. No grammatical or spelling errors(10 pts.)

4. Correct documentation of references(10 pts.)

Followed APA format

5. Minimum of three appropriate references (5 pts.)

(Research Journal articles)

6. Degree of general organization,(10 pts.)

succinctness and clarity of paper

7. Clarity of abstracted, referenced material;(10 pts.)

good use of supporting information

8. Clear statement(s) of own position, (10 pts.)

with basis for such

9. Extent to which conclusion(s) is(15 pts.)

related to materials presented in the paper

10. Degree of demonstration of connection(15 pts.)

with effective parenting information

MEDIA STUDY ASSIGNMENT - 100 points
REFLECTIVE WRITING

Purpose:
1. This project is designed to help students critically analyze family and parental portrayal in popular media.

2.Students will experience writing a personal think piece, integrating theoretical knowledge with media observations in creative reporting and essay format.

Method:
1.Select, focusing on one audience, and view programs which depict parental relationships with minor children from at least three of the following categories to analyze:
a. Children/family programming
b. Cartoons (young children)
c. Cartoons (pre-teen)
d. Cartoons (adult)
e. Sitcoms - currently on prime time, or within the last five years
f. Movies - released within the last five years
g. Dramas - currently on prime time

2. Report your observations and analysis. Have fun with this, be creative, use software, internet, stickers, markers, pictures, etc. Formulate this creative analysis however you wish (letters, Dear Diary, notebook/scrapbook, power point, poster, etc.)
In your report critically analyze, in a creative format, the chosen programs.
(1)Discuss what parental or family messages are being sent to the viewer, are those messages positive or negative?
(2)Address at least one of the following questions:
a. What are the parenting styles?
b. What strategies do the parent's use?
c. What is conflict like, how is it handled?
(3) Formulate and answer your own question related to parenting to study in the programs. Use concepts introduced in class, in the text, or in other sources.

3. Organize and summarize your points in a brief (250-400 word) essay. Make connections or find trends from your analysis, examine implications of your findings, and form recommendations. Attach this essay to your creative report.

CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION OF MEDIA STUDY:

5 pointsCorrect grammar, punctuation and spelling

10 pointsOverall clarity, insight and expression

For creative report entries (55 points):

5 pointsIdentified and analyzed one program from at least three categories, indicated name, category and brief description (including time on the air) of each program.

10 pointsCreativity - think "outside the box"

10 pointsAddressed what messages are being sent to the viewer, whether those messages are positive or negative

10 pointsAddressed at least one of the "project questions"

10 pointsFormulated own question related to parenting to study in the programs

10 pointsUsed at least six concepts discussed in class, in the text or in other sources (highlight these)

For the essay (30 points):

5 pointsTyped, double-spaced, 12 point font, 250-400 word text

10 pointsSummarization of trends/connections

10 pointsExaminations of implications

5 pointsConclusions/recommendations suggested

FIELD TRIP ASSIGNMENT - 50 points
PROFESSIONAL WRITING

Purpose:
1. To have an opportunity to view a home environment, addressing the parental role in establishing safety and developmental appropriateness for children.
2. To experience professional report writing in case documentation format.

Method:

Students will be assigned to groups and will go on a field trip to the instructor's home on the assigned date. Each group will evaluate the home environment for developmental appropriateness, addressing such issues as safety, available toys, level of stimulation, etc. In addition, they will be given a specific question to respond to. Each group should create a comprehensive list of the positive things noted, as well as concerns to be addressed, and formulate a response to the question posed to their group.

Criteria for evaluation:

The group will be responsible for reporting back to the class in a brief (5 minute) presentation of findings, and the response to their group question. Keep it very brief, accurate, and objective.

The group will also compile, type and disperse the list of positives and concerns about the environment to each group member. Each individual will submit a case documentation assessment of the home environment. This report is to address appropriateness for an eight-year-old boy, including all personal observations, as well as the list of positives noted and concerns found by the group.

POSITIVE PARENTING ACTIVITY - 50 points
PROFESSIONAL WRITING

Purpose:
1.To have an opportunity to observe spontaneous parenting in the community, recognize positive parenting strategies, and provide positive feedback to the parents.
2. To experience newsletter format writing.

Method:

Students will:

• create a "reward" to be handed to parents
  
• observe parenting in various settings
  
• identify two separate, specific incidents of positive parenting
  
• give the parent(s) the "reward" with an explanation
  
• write a newsletter article describing the positive parenting observed and the experience of providing the feedback to the parent(s).
  
  

Criteria for evaluation:
20 points Identification of two separate examples of positive parenting
20 points Clear explanation of why each is positive, referencing class information.
10 points Style (newsletter article), spelling, grammar, etc.

VI. Class Policies

A.Attendance and active participation during class periods is absolutely necessary in order to pass this class. It is expected that students will attend class sessions and prepare adequately for each session. You are responsible for obtaining any missed information from another student, as information presented in class will not be re-presented on an individual basis.

B. Assignments must be completed and turned in on the due date. Late papers will automatically lose 5 points for each day they are late. An assignment is considered late if it is not handed in on the date it is due.

C.Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated; the student risks failing the assignment and/or the course if his/her behavior is not in compliance with the University's Policies on Student Rights and Responsibilities. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating, falsification and plagiarism.

D. It is expected that students will arrive on time for each class session and attend the entire session. It is rude to fellow students and guest speakers to leave class early or arrive late. If an emergency requires that you be late, please enter and take a seat as quietly as possible. It is also extremely rude to do other work, read the newspaper, have personal conversations, etc. while class is in session.

E. All students begin the semester with the same advantage, and it is unfair to students that meet course requirements to permit variations.

FCS 415: EFFECTIVE PARENTING
Course Outline - Winter, 2001

Date Week	Topic Assignments	Readings
1/9 #1 1/3	Introduction to the course Folklore about parenthood, myths and perceptions
1/16 #2 1/10	Parenting in perspective History, social changes	Chap. 1 & 2
1/23 #3 1/17	Choice and timing Family as a social system	Chap. 3 Cspk.
1/30 #4 1/24	Developmental frameworks Parenting process, Erikson Erikson jigsaw	Chap. 4 Cspk. 3
2/6 #5 2/7	Strategies of parenting, values Overall purpose of discipline Adolescence, Strategies worksheets	Chap. 5 Cspk. 1, 4 -12
2/13 #6 2/14	Strategies cont. Discussion about effects of media Media study due
2/20 #7 2/21	Mid-term exam Issue paper proposal due	Cspk. 22, 23-25
	*****SPRING BREAK*****HAVE FUN*****
3/6 #8 3/7	Video - Right From the Start Field trip to home environment Family of Origin	Text pg 209, 215-220, 243-246 Cspk. 13, 15, 16-19, 20-21
3/13 #9 3/14	Transition to parenthood Attachment Positive Parenting Activity	Text pg. 249-257, 283-296, 326-332 Cspk. 14
3/20 #10 3/21	Child care issues Adolescent parenting, Video -Teen Fathering Issue Paper	Text pg. 365-375 Chap. 13 Cspk. 27-30, 31-32, 33
3/27 #11 3/28	Parenting in single parent families Divorce, child custody, never married Video - Divorce Education for Parents	Chap. 11 Cspk. 34-46
4/3 #12 4/4	Parenting in stepfamily systems Special topics - Grandparents as parents Field trip presentation and report	Chap. 12 Cspk. 26, 47
4/10 #13 4/11	Review, final activity	Chap. 14
	Final Sec. 1: Tues. 4/17 @ 2:45 Sec. 2: Wed. 4/18 @ 5:00

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