Merced College Stacey Roduner, M.A.

CLDV 8: Families & Societies Office Phone: (209) 386-6638

Fall 2006; Section 1337 Office in: Child Development Center

e-mail: roduner.s@mccd.edu Office Hours: M/W 11am-12pm;

Location: V-9 M 4-5pm;T/Th 9am-12pm CDC Lab

FAMILIES & SOCIETIES COURSE SYLLABUS – MWF 9-10am

CATALOG DESCRIPTION: This course studies the importance of the socialization of children and how society supports and empowers families. Emphasis will include the role of family, peers, school/child care, media, community and culture, and the influence these socializing agents have on children.

REQUIRED TEXT: Child, Family, School, Community: Socialization & Support, by Roberta Berns, Thomsan Publishing, 2006, 7^th edition.

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

· 6 Scantron Forms #882 & #2 pencil

EXPECTED STUDENT OUTCOMES: Upon successful completion of the course the student will be able to:

A. Examine the socialization of human beings in an ecological context.

B. Assess the aims, agents, methods and outcomes of socialization.

C. Distinguish family systems and identify the challenges of family empowerment

D. Categorize parenting styles and compare appropriate and inappropriate parenting practices.

E. Appraise correlates and consequences of developmentally appropriate child care.

F. Evaluate the school’s function as a socializing agent.

G. Analyze and compare the characteristics of teachers and students and the interaction between both.

H. Assess peer group interaction.

I. Understand and measure the mass media influence on families.

J. Inventory the community for it’s learning and supportive environment.

K. Examine the attitudes and attributes that define self esteem.

L. Judge self regulation and gender roles and how they attribute to socialization outcomes

Course Information

1. Classroom Expectations. To ensure that each student has the best environment possible, it is expected that students act appropriately. Students will demonstrate courtesy and respect to others including those with different perspectives and values.

2. Learning Styles and Class Format. The varied class format is designed to accommodate different learning styles, including auditory learners, visual learners, and kinesthetic learners. Students have the opportunity to collaborate, share ideas, and partake in distinctive activities that support various learning styles and encourage critical thinking. Lecture, videos, role playing, small and large group discussions, and group work are included. Students who would like extra help in preparing for exams, text comprehension, projects, and/or writing are encouraged to make an appointment with the instructor or drop by during office hours.

3. Attendance. Regular attendance is expected. In the rare event that you should be late, please enter the class quietly, observe what the class is doing, and join in without disruption to the class. Students who miss three consecutive class sessions will be dropped by the instructor. Oftentimes, hand-outs/study guides are handed out at the end of class. Students who leave early will have to make arrangements to copy the study guide from a classmate or pick one up at the instructor’s office during office hours.

4. Handouts and Assignments. If students are absent on a day when a handout or assignment is given, it is the student’s responsibility to make arrangements to get one during the instructor’s office hours. The instructor only brings handouts to class one time.

5. Pagers/Cell Phones. Please turn off your cell phone/pager or put on vibrate as they are a disruption in class. If you must make an emergency call, please do so outside the classroom.

6. Campus Child Development Center. If you choose to complete any of your observations at the Merced College Child Development Center, simply sign the guest registry and pick-up a “visitor” name badge to wear from the front counter. Enter the Child Development Center classroom and complete your observation. Please be respectful that the environment is for children and families. Also, if you choose to complete an assignment at an off campus school or child care center, please call the director/manager ahead of time to make an appointment.

Course Requirements

□ Tests. There will be six tests at 50 points each (6 x 50 = 300). All exams (including final) will require a SCANTRON FORM 882 and a number two pencil. Test questions will address the material covered from the text as well as information covered in class. The instructor does not teach to the test. It is the student’s responsibility to attend class, participate in class activities, study class notes, and read the textbook to learn the material for the test. The tests will be multiple-choice and the lowest scored exam will be dropped from the final grade.

□ NO MAKE-UP EXAMS ALLOWED. If you know you will be unable to attend class on the exam date, arrangements with the instructor BEFORE the exam date should be made. NO EXCEPTIONS. The lowest scored test will be dropped from the final grade.

□ Homework. Each chapter that is covered in the text will require a self study of the student that is deemed “homework.” These short activities will enable the student to personalize the information that is covered in class. There is a total of 11 homework assignments worth 20 points ea. (11 x 20 = 220).

□ Movie Review. A “Movie Review” is assigned to help the student focus on the topic of the film and analyze how the media can influence families and society. This assignment is worth 30 points.

□ Cultural Study. A comprehensive cultural study will be assigned and is designed to allow the student an in-depth view of the lifestyle, traditions and values of other cultures and what it might be like to be a newcomer to the United States. This project requires that the student research a specific culture and interview someone who immigrated or parents immigrated, to the U.S. The student will write a reaction to this experience and present his/her findings in class. This project is worth 100 points.

□ Assignment Submissions. Assignments are DUE on the day specified in the calendar. All out-of class assignments must be submitted in a typed, double spaced, essay format, using size 12 font, with 1 inch margins. All papers must be printed; the instructor will not accept disks. Most projects are required to be submitted with a grading rubric provided with the assignment. The instructor will not grade projects without the appropriate rubric. Assignments turned in after classes are considered late and 20% will be taken off the total grade for lateness.

Additionally, points will be deducted for misspellings and poor grammar. Spell check and proof read your work. Poorly written papers or papers without evidence of proofreading will be returned to the student to re-write and re-submit by the next class meeting. The paper will then be considered late with a 20% point deduction. There are NO EXCEPTIONS to these policies.

□ Late Assignments. Late assignments are accepted up to the next class meeting with a 20% point deduction. There are no late assignments accepted on any extra credit.

□ Extra Credit. Points may be earned in extra credit opportunities that are unannounced & assigned during class. These points will be added to your total point score. They may not be made up. They are a reward for consistent attendance.

□ Academic Honesty. Academic dishonesty is a violation of the Student Code of Conduct. This includes copying someone else’s worksheet. The college has the responsibility to ensure that grades assigned are indicative of the knowledge and skill level of each student and acts of academic dishonesty make it impossible to fulfill this responsibility. Academic Dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, collusion, a misuse of college computers and software. Disciplinary actions may include an oral reprimand; a failing grade on all or part of a particular paper, project, or exam; or the assignment of an “F” grade in cases where dishonesty is more serious, premeditated, or a repeat offense. Serious or repeated offenses may also result in suspension from the college.

Grading Scale (Total Points Possible Overall)	Assignments (Total Points per Assignment)	Approximate % of Grade^*
A 540 - 600	Homework (220)	37%
B 480 - 539	Tests (250 - 1 dropped)	42%
C 420 - 479	Movie Review (30)	5%
D 360 - 419	Cultural Study (100)	16%
		^*= Subject to change

Course Calendar

Date	Topic Schedule	Assignments Due
Mon. Aug 14
Wed. Aug 16	Introduction to Class
Fri. Aug 18	Orientation to Homework Assignments	Important, make sure you are in class!
Mon. Aug 21	Ecology of the Child	Read Ch. 1
Wed. Aug 23	Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Approach
Fri. Aug 25	Discussion Groups	Homework #1
Mon. Aug 28	Ecology of Socialization	Read Ch. 2
Wed. Aug 30	Theories & Methods to Socialization
Fri. Sep 1	Test #1: Ch. 1 & 2	Homework #2
Mon. Sep 4	Holiday
Wed. Sep 6	Ecology of the Family	Read Ch. 3
Fri. Sep 8	“Daddy & Papa”
Mon. Sep 11	Discussion Groups	Homework #3
Wed. Sep 13	Ecology of Parenting	Read Ch. 4
Fri. Sep 15	Child Abuse
Mon. Sep 18	Parenting Styles
Wed. Sep 20	Parenting Styles
Fri. Sep 22	What is your parenting style?
Mon. Sep 25	Discussion Groups	Homework #4
Wed. Sep 27	Orientation to Cultural Study	Don’t miss class, important stuff today!
Fri. Sep 29	Test #2: Ch. 3 & 4
Mon. Oct 2	Ecology of Child Care	Read Ch. 5
Wed. Oct 4	What is quality child care?
Fri. Oct 6	Field Trip: Campus Child Care Center	Class will meet at the Child Development Center
Mon. Oct 9	Discussion Groups	Homework Ch. 5
Wed. Oct 11	Ecology of School	Read Ch. 6
Fri. Oct 13	Holiday
Mon. Oct 16	Discussion Groups	Homework Ch. 6
Wed. Oct 18	Test #3: Ch. 5 & 6
Fri. Oct 20	Ecology of Teaching	Read Ch. 7
Mon. Oct 23	What is your Multiple Intelligence?
Wed. Oct 25	Discussion Groups	Homework Ch. 7
Fri. Oct 27	Ecology of the Peer Group	Read Ch. 8
Mon. Oct 30	Why are Gangs so attractive to some?
Wed. Nov 1	Discussion Groups	Homework Ch. 8
Fri. Nov 3	Test #4: Ch. 7 & 8
Mon. Nov 6	Ecology of the Media	Read Ch. 9
Wed. Nov 8	“Still Killing Us Softly”