Elmira College

Spring Semester - 2000

HUE 5623-59 Adult Development: Transitions (3.0)

Dr. Norbert J. Henry

Instructor and Facilitator

Course Meeting Dates: March 10, 11; March 24, 25; April 7, 8

Course: HUE 5623-59 Adult Development: Transitions (3.0)

Location: OCM BOCES in Liverpool, NY

Times of Class: Fridays - 5:00pm -10:00pm; Saturdays - 8:00am - 5:00pm

Instructor: Dr. Norbert J. Henry

7393 Oakpost Road

Liverpool, NY 13088

Tel: work - 315.445.4141 home - 315.457.8946

E-mail: henry@maple.lemoyne.edu

Fax: 315.445.6027

Course Description

This course is an exploration of human development in adulthood through a study of transition and change throughout the adult life cycle. The transitions to be explored are those predictable and observable chronologically: early adulthood, marriage, careers, moving, parenthood, mid-adulthood, divorce/remarriage, widowhood, retirement, final years, and death. The cultural, social, spiritual, psychological and philosophical phenomena intertwining through each transition will also be examined.

Course Goals

This course will study transitions and change throughout the adult life cycle with an exploration of the following states of life:

· Adolescence to early adulthood

· Marriage/Family

· Parenthood

· Career development and change

· "Sandwich Generation"

· Middle age transition to Young/Old state

· Alternative life styles

· Divorce and remarriage

· Widowhood

· Third age years and retirement

Class Format

There will be a mixture of lecture, discussion in small and large groups, experiential exercises, and Q/A. Additionally, pertinent videos will be viewed and related to topics under discussion. Each learner is expected to share with the instructor in the ongoing development and direction of the course. It is necessary to make timely adjustments in the course content, procedures, and schedule, in order to meet individual and group needs. All participants will be required to share in the responsibility of this process.

Grading Policy

Learners will contract for a grade. Graduate students are presumed to achieve a grade of B or better. The grade negotiated in the contract will be assigned presuming all conditions and projects have been completed to the satisfaction of the instructor.

Attendance Policy

Attendance at all class session on the three weekends is required. Special arrangements may be made with individuals if a class session is missed and additional work may be assigned.

Textbook

Sheehy, Gail (1995). New Passages. New York: Ballantine Books

Additional handout materials will be presented for required reading.

Evaluation and Feedback

Elmira College requires that grades be established as marks for transcripts and degree completion requirements. Interaction, evaluation, and feedback are integral parts of the learning experience in the classroom setting and in the quality of work produced as part of the contract. The evaluation process is a tool for measuring personal progress toward individual and/or course goals.

Course Grade Requirements

The following is required of all learners:

· Participate in all class activities, including planning, group efforts, and evaluation throughout the course.

· Complete a self-diagnosis of needs related to the course content and prepare a learning contract designed to help you meet these needs.

· Read and study the text and other assigned materials. Be prepared to discuss issues in class. Segments of the reading material may be assigned to learners for presentation to the entire class.

Learning Activity #1:

Write a 4-6-page research paper on one of the Course Goals (earlier listed) drawing from readings, reflections, and personal experience. In addition, be prepared to make a short presentation of your research finding to the entire class during the last weekend sessions.

Learning Activity #2:

Each learner will lead a discussion on one of the adult stages as described in the text. This will take place during the second weekend sessions.

Learning Activity #3:

Report on one book from the bibliography list or source as agreed upon. Be prepared to make a brief presentation about the content, theme, and significance of the book under review. Five journal articles may replace the book report.

Learning Activity #4:

Each learner will interview two (2) individuals who have experienced life transitions in one form or another. An event, roleshift, or developmental period may characterize these transitions.

-Or-

Negotiate a learning activity of your own design.

Grades

A TYPICAL CONTRACT FOR A GRADE OF (B) WOULD INCLUDE THE SATISFACTORY

COMPLETION OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES #1-3

A TYPICAL CONTRACT FOR A GRADE OF (A) WOULD INCLUDE THE SATISFACTORY

COMPLETION OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES #1-4

Schedule of Class Sessions

WEEK ONE:

Friday, March 10th, 5:00pm - 10:00pm

· Introductions

· Climate Settings

· Course overview and requirements

· Initial discussion relative to the topic from Prologue of text

· View of video "Mr. Holland's Opus" and discussion

Saturday, March 11th, 8:00am - 5:00pm

· Recap from previous evening discussions

· Focus of discussion: Prologue - Book One, Chapter 1, Prologue - Book Two

· Work on individual contracts and negotiation with instructor on contracts

WEEK TWO:

Friday, March 24th, 5:00pm - 10:00pm

· Review of work in last weekend sessions

· Focus of discussion: text, Chapters 2 - 6

Saturday, March 25th, 8:00am - 5:00pm

· Continued discussion on text, Chapters 7 - 10

· Update on contracts and progress reports

WEEK THREE:

Friday, April 7th, 5:00 - 10:00pm

· Review progress to date from past weeks

· Focus of discussion on text, Chapters 11 - 19

· View video about "Tuesday at Morries" and discussion

Saturday, April 8th, 8:00am - 5:00pm

· Continuation of Chapter discussions from Friday

· Individual learner reports and project feedback

· Final discussions, evaluations, and closing remarks

LEARNING CONTRACT

Learner_______________________________ Date_________

Contracted grade______ Agreed upon by: learner_____ Instructor___

Learning Activity Number: ______ of _______

Title, Topic, Theme:______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

(Please use a separate sheet for each Learning Activity)

I. What are you going to learn (objectives)?

II. How are you going to learn it (resources/strategies)?

III. How are you going to know that you learned it (evidence)?

IV. How are you going to justify the contracted grade?

V. Target date for completion of Activity.____________

VI. Additional comments, observations, remarks about the Activity.

Bibliography

Belenky, M. F., Clinchy, B. M., Goldberger, N. R., and Tarule, J. M. (1986). Women's way of knowing. New York: Basic Books.

Golan, N. (1981). Passing through transitions. New York: The Free Press.

Howe, N. and Strauss, B. (1993). 13th Gen. New York: Vintage Books.

Levinson, D. J. (1978). The seasons of a man's life. New York: Ballantine Books.

Levinson, D. J. (1996). The seasons of a woman's life. New York: Ballantine Books.

Sheehy, G. (1974). Passages. New York: Bantam Books.

Sheehy, G. (1981). Pathfinders. New York: Bantam Books.

Sheehy, G. (1991). The silent passage. New York: Random House.

Sheehy, G. (1998). Understanding men's passages. New York: Random House.

Turner, J. S. and Helms, D. B. (1989). Contemporary adulthood. Chicago: Holt, Rinehart, & Winston.

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