AHDP Course Syllabus

JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY
SOCIAL WORK PROGRAM
HHS 220

Spring 2007
Nancy Owens - owensne@jmu.edu
Blue Ridge Hall, Room 157 - 568-2333
Office Hours: By appointment only

In this academic course and outreach program to adults age 55+ in the surrounding community, JMU students are trained to work 1:1 with the older adults, to apply aging and intergenerational theory, and to critically analyze the outcomes from their interactions.

Course Objectives:

This course is designed to:

Train students to apply gerontological health and well-being theory and data into practice by working with an institutionalized or non-institutionalized adult (age 50+) to positively affect his/her health and well being.
Provide students with the opportunity to learn about again, old age, history and different cultures in the AHDP environment.
Contribute to social harmony and well-being by bringing people together of diverse backgrounds; age, ethnic/racial heritage, health and well-being, and socioeconomic status, to enjoy and gain understanding of these differences.
Positively affect the health, sense of well-being, physical fitness and health knowledge of the older adult “member” enabling them to gain greater control over their health and well-being.
Serve as a catalyst by bringing together institutionalize and non-institutionalized adults, staffers, university officiates, as well as private and public sectors of the community to work towards the common purposes of 1, 2, & 3 (as stated above).

Learning Objectives:

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

Demonstrate a verbal understanding of age-related changing in physiology, intelligence, memory, cognition, behavior, sensor motor and perceptual functions, creativity, moral judgment and relationships.
Define and explain the major terminology associated with gerontological health and well-being.
Demonstrate social interactive and rapport building skills with an AHDP member.
Demonstrate the proper execution of exercise and health related activities appropriate to older adults (those incorporated into the AHDP).
Demonstrate the ability to write an integrative narrative applying academic gerontology topics to a single individual (assigned partners).
Demonstrate social dependability as measured by attendance and fulfillment of the course requirements.
Demonstrate the ability to develop and lead an activity of their own design that encourages participation by AHDP members.
Demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively as part of a team, empowering seniors to participate in a health-promotional program, and assisting peers to work successfully with an AHDP member.
Demonstrate tolerance for and an interest in human diversity by successfully interacting with persons from diverse backgrounds and diverse points of view.
Demonstrate enthusiasm and a positive attitude toward the application of course material to an aging population.

Readers

AHDP Staffer’s Manual, current version, available in the bookstore in the form of a course packet.

Policy for Students with Special Needs

It is the policy of the Social Work Department to accommodate students with disabilities, pursuant to federal and state law. In order to accommodate students with special request related to testing, assignments, etc. there must be a formal ruling by the JMU Office of Disability Services. Any student who needs accommodation should inform the instructor at the beginning of the semester.

University Policy

Students are responsible for registering for classes and for verifying their class schedules on e-campus. The deadline for adding a Spring Semester class without instructor and academic unit head signatures is Tuesday, January 16. No student will be allowed to register for a Spring Semester class after Thursday, January 25th. No exceptions will be made to these deadlines.

Written Work Back-Up

Keep a second copy of any written work submitted. If for any reason work submitted is lost/misplaced/not available, faculty cannot assume that work was submitted and was of acceptable merit. Likewise, keep exams and papers returned with a grade or comments should grade lists be lost or inadvertently deleted from a faculty computer. In the event of the above, it would be your responsibility to submit the material in question.

Departmental Grading Scale

View the scale (PDF)

A - Excellent mastery of material; outstanding scholarship; excellence in self-assessment.
B - Good mastery of material; you're able to look at the question from different perspectives; above average in self-assessment.
C - Basic understanding of the content; not much depth in your answer; average in self-assessment.
D - Borderline understanding of the material and/or answers are incomplete; below average in self-assessment.
F - Failure to understand the material; unsatisfactory skill performance.

Honor Code

By accepting admission to JMU, you make a commitment to understand, support, and abide by the University’s honor system without compromise or exception. This class will be conducted in strict observance of the JMU Honor System. For specific details see http://www.jmu.edu/honor.

Course Expectations/Attendance

Staffers will be trained in ADHP theory and methods to work on an individual basis with an older adult for nine consecutive Wednesdays preceded by 11 Tuesdays of training. All staffers must attend the Tuesday training sessions. If you miss the sessions you will be dropped from the course. Each Tuesday, training will consist of classroom time focused on theories, program planning, and health education. Wednesdays will consist of time spent with senior members at Price Rotary Senior Center implementing planned activities in the areas of health education, socialization, and physical fitness. Staffers are required to make contact with their assigned member at least once during the week, via phone, e-mail, or personal visit.

Course Assignments and Grading:

Project Proposal and Completion (75 points):
Each student is expected to plan, execute, and evaluate a project in which all staffers and members are able to participate. The project must include 1 health education activity, 1 physical fitness activity, and 1 social activity. Proposals will be discussed as a group, and once approved, dates for each project will be assigned to each student.

Clinical Work (100 points):
Includes contributions and involvements in ALL sessions (regardless of your member’s attendance), ability to translate AHDP theory and methods in practice (25 points), completion of your member’s Individual History Form (IHF) and other data, typed, double-spaced, 3-page Life Review Interview with your member, and cooperation with your small group and Group Leaders(s) (GL). Your GLs recommend a grade at the Group Leader’s Meeting. Discussion of the grade by all GLs will follow the recommendation.

Final Analysis Paper (75 points):
8-10 pages, double-spaced, word-processed paper integrating theories and other course material as you respond to a series of questions about your member and your involvement in the AHDP program.

Attendance/Participation (100 points):
No unexcused absences are permitted. For every unexcused absence, one letter grade value will be deducted from your final grade. Also, arriving late at the AHDP two times in a semester deducts ½ of a letter grade. If you are going to miss a session, you MUST let the director know that you will be absent, giving as much advance notice as possible. Your member will be waiting for you and expects you to be there!

Adult Health and Development Program