Syllabus

 

The University of Alabama

College of Human Environmental Sciences

HES 310 -001 ISSUES IN HUMAN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

SYLLABUS AND COURSE OUTLINE

Fall 2007

 

 

Mrs. Jan L. Brakefield, M.S., CFP, Assistant Professor                       E-mail address:  jbrakefi@ches.ua.edu

Office:  214 Adams Hall                                                                         Office Hours:  M/T/R 2 – 4 pm 

Phone:  348-8722                                                                                                           And by appointment                      

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

An examination of current issues and trends as they relate to the professions in family and consumer sciences.  Course is designed to prepare CHES professionals to be competent to assume leadership roles in business, public, and private sectors that focus on supporting individuals, families, consumers, and communities in society.  Students will understand the synergistic, integrative nature of the family and consumer sciences profession and will learn to apply this knowledge to their unique areas of professional specialization.  Students will develop a professional orientation to apply their skills and abilities for the well-being of others to manage the challenges of living and working in a diverse, global society.    

 

OBJECTIVES:  Each HES 310 student will:

1.        Understand the interaction, interrelatedness, and capacity building opportunities of individuals, families, consumers, and communities using a systematic, lifespan approach. 

 

2.        Learn how to apply scientific solutions and critical thinking skills gleaned from their programs of study in the goal of improving the quality of life of the clients they serve.    

 

3.        Recognize and appreciate the concepts of global interdependence and cultural diversity of individuals, families, consumers, and communities.  Value the importance of building collaborations and partnerships in the work place and public sector.

 

4.        Learn to use state-of-the-art technologies and resources in addressing issues concerning individuals, families, consumers, and communities.

 

5.        Understand the significance of professional ethics, etiquette, and continued education.

 

6.        Recognize their professional obligation in the formation and support of public policies that embrace the well-being of the communities in which they live and work. 

 

7.        Engage in self-assessment of skills, personality, and interests and apply this knowledge to an individualized career search.

8.        Learn valuable wealth accumulation techniques.

 

TEXTBOOK: Johnston, Susan M. (2006)  The Career Adventure.  4th edition.  Prentice Hall          

 

GENERAL INFORMATION:

Class attendance is expected.  You are responsible for all material covered in class.  You must be present in order to participate.  Active participation is vital to your success in HES 310.

 

Eating or drinking is not permitted.  No cellular phone or pager usage is allowed.  Turn off before entering.

 

To request disability accommodations, please contact Dr. Olivia Kendrick, 101 Doster, 348-6150.  Students with disabilities must be registered with the Office of Disability Services, 220 Research Drive, 348-4285, before receiving academic adjustments. 

 

Policy on Academic and Classroom Misconduct:

You must behave in a manner that is conducive to a teaching and learning environment.  This includes maintaining you focus and engagement with the instructor and classroom assignments.  Disruptive, obstructive, or disengaged behavior will be subject to disciplinary sanctions outlined by the Code of Student Conduct. 

 

 

All acts of dishonesty in any work constitute academic misconduct.  This includes, but is not necessarily limited to cheating, plagiarism, fabrication of information, and abetting any of the above.  The UA Code of Academic Conduct and Academic Misconduct Disciplinary Procedures will be followed in the event that academic misconduct occurs.  Students should refer to the UA Student Affairs Handbook which can be obtained from the Office of Student Life in Ferguson Center.

 

COURSE OUTLINE:

 

Aug 23                    What’s so good about being in the CHES family?

Aug 28                    Individuals and family systems in their environments - Unique concepts in the common body of knowledge that integrate the study of individuals, families, consumers, and communities.

Aug 30                    Introduction to “ecomap” assignment 

Sep 4                       Self-assessment - Chapters 1, 2, 3

Sep 6                       Self-assessment continued

Sep 11                     Presentation skills

Sep 13                     Ecomap workshop

Sep 18                     Resume workshop

Sep 20                     Cover letter writing – professional documents

Sep 25                     Resume/cover letter team workshop

Sep 27                     Resume/cover letter team scoring activity

Oct 2                       Networking – Chapter 5                        

Oct 4                       Interviewing with confidence – Chapter 8

Oct 9                       What do interviewers want to hear?

Oct 11                     No class – Mid-semester break

Oct 16                     Gorgas Library visit

Oct 18                     More interviewing tips – Les Lovoy

Oct 23                     Mock interviews

Oct 25                     Mock interviews                    

Oct 30                     Business etiquette

Nov 1                      Dining etiquette                     

Nov 6                      Smart money management skills and wealth accumulation techniques                 

Nov 8                      Ecomap workshop

Nov 13                    Ecomap team presentations

Nov 15                    Ecomap team presentations

Nov 20                    Ecomap team presentations

                               

 

ASSIGNMENTS:

Working as a member of a team, you will design and analyze an ecological map, or “ecomap”, as an assessment tool to understanding how the individual/family/consumer is part of and interdependent upon an ecosystem.  The ecomap will include the major systems that are part of the family’s life and the nature of the family’s relationships with those systems. Each team will design a PowerPoint presentation as the vehicle for displaying its work. 

                40 points   Due Nov 13, 15, or 20

   

Prepare a personal resume and cover letter.

                10 points each    In-class assignment on Sep 27.  This is a group exercise planned for in-class participation!  

               

Conduct a mock interview.  Complete instructions, an outline, and a set of questions will be provided in class.  

                30 points   Due Oct 23 or 25

 

Attend class.  Three or fewer absences earn full credit.  Four or more absences for any reason will result in the loss of 20 points.

                10 points               

 

Total possible points - 100