Course Detail :

This course offers foundational and developmental perspectives on child and family life and dynamics. Sociocultural trends and issues are explored, as well as important factors that impact the behavioral and spiritual development of today’s children and adolescents. Ethical concerns and multicultural factors are also considered.

Rationale :

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The physical, emotional, cognitive, social, and spiritual development of children and adolescents is ever-changing. Today’s parents are often challenged in understanding and responding to these developmental stages. The principles taught in this course will provide the student with the essential framework necessary for helping parents create and sustain a healthy and balanced family environment. This course is offered in an 8-week format and includes extensive readings, reviews, quizzes, a research paper, and interactions with other students via Discussion assignments.

Measurable Learning Outcomes :

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1. Identify current trends and issues in child and adolescent development.
2. Identify and describe characteristics and primary tasks of key developmental stages.
3. Describe the basic physical, emotional, and social changes that occur during childhood and adolescence and the factors important to healthy growth.
4. Think critically about issues pertaining to child development and integrate research with biblical wisdom in a theologically appropriate manner.
5. Demonstrate knowledge of popular developmental theories and apply them to real-life parenting situations.
6. Cultivate a biblically based theology regarding child and family development.
7. Develop awareness of biblical principles that result in healthy children and families.
8. Incorporate biblical interventions in working with children, adolescents, and families.

Course Assignment :

Textbook Readings and Lecture Presentations :

Course Requirements Checklist :

After reading the Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (3) :

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to provide a thread in response to the provided promptly for each discussion. Each thread must be a minimum of 300 words and demonstrate course-related knowledge based on that particular Module: Week. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to 2 other classmates’ threads. Each reply must be a minimum of 200 words. (Confidence in Children MLOs: A, B, C, E, F, G, H; Spiritual Foundations MLOs: D, F, G, H; Defining Family Health MLOs: A, D, E)

Perspectives Research Paper Assignments (2) :

This assignment is completed in two steps throughout the course: Topic and Sources Assignment and Final Paper Assignment. For the final paper, the student will write a 6-page paper (not including Title Page and References) following APA guidelines on the approved topic with at least six references from scholarly sources, in addition to the course textbooks, Dobson material, and the Bible. (MLOs: A, B, D, E, F, G, H)

Perspectives Research Paper: Topic and Sources Assignment :

4-MAT Review Assignment :

The 4-MAT REVIEW system is a way of responding to course readings by demonstrating critical thinking and application to new ideas presented in the material. The student will write a review on Building Confidence in Your Child. The review will include a summary, concrete response, academic critique, and personal application. The review is to be 4 pages and the student must use the current APA format. (MLOs: A, B, D, F, G, H)

Overall Quizzes (8) :