SRJC Course Outlines

10/15/2024 9:35:07 AMOA 505 Course Outline as of Fall 2020

Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION

Discipline and Nbr:  OA 505Title:  DISCUSSION GROUP  
Full Title:  Discussion Group
Last Reviewed:1/27/2020

UnitsCourse Hours per Week Nbr of WeeksCourse Hours Total
Maximum0Lecture Scheduled018 max.Lecture Scheduled0
Minimum0Lab Scheduled3.006 min.Lab Scheduled54.00
 Contact DHR0 Contact DHR0
 Contact Total3.00 Contact Total54.00
 
 Non-contact DHR0 Non-contact DHR Total0

 Total Out of Class Hours:  0.00Total Student Learning Hours: 54.00 

Title 5 Category:  Non-Credit
Grading:  Non-Credit Course
Repeatability:  27 - Exempt From Repeat Provisions
Also Listed As: 
Formerly:  SE 505

Catalog Description:
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This course is designed to engage older adults in lively discussions such as consumer issues, current events, healthy aging and literature. A supportive learning community encourages expression of thoughts and feelings, deepening of understanding and openness to new ideas and divergent perspectives. The course develops effective communication skills and enhances the quality of life.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:


Recommended Preparation:

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description: Untitled document
This course is designed to engage older adults in lively discussions such as consumer issues, current events, healthy aging and literature. A supportive learning community encourages expression of thoughts and feelings, deepening of understanding and openness to new ideas and divergent perspectives. The course develops effective communication skills and enhances the quality of life.
(Non-Credit Course)

Prerequisites:
Recommended:
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:
Repeatability:27 - Exempt From Repeat Provisions

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:Effective:Inactive:
 Area:
 
CSU GE:Transfer Area Effective:Inactive:
 
IGETC:Transfer Area Effective:Inactive:
 
CSU Transfer:Effective:Inactive:
 
UC Transfer:Effective:Inactive:
 
C-ID:

Certificate/Major Applicable: Not Certificate/Major Applicable



COURSE CONTENT

Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
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1.   Engage in discussions with all generations.
2.   Demonstrate ability to communicate ideas.
3.   Engage the mind for improved awareness and alertness.
4.   Establish supportive connections with people.
5.   Communicate emotions effectively.
6.   Develop a more positive attitude toward life.
 

Objectives: Untitled document
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to accomplish some or all of the following:
1.   Listen effectively and paraphrase other students' statements.
2.   Follow group guidelines during discussions.
3.   Identify the difference between assertive and aggressive statements.
4.   Use "I" statements to communicate personal opinions.
5.   Research events and issues, past and present.
6.   Apply critical thinking skills to form opinions.
7.   Recognize and acknowledge accomplishments of self and others.
8.   Incorporate life experiences into discussions.
9.   Integrate new knowledge into current life.
10. Increase self-esteem and confidence through learning and participation.

Topics and Scope
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The topics accommodates varying levels of ability and participation and may include, but are not limited to the following:
I. Communication
    A. Listening
         1. Importance (e.g. information, socialization, communication between
               generation)
         2. Barriers (e.g. interruption, monopolization, moralization, criticism)
         3. Active listening
             i.  Observation of speaker's body language
             ii.  Paraphrase
             iii. Summarization
             iv. Reflection on emotional context
    B. Speaking and body language
         1. Comments (e.g. brief, jargon free, non-confrontational)
         2. Awareness of own body language (e.g. tense, relaxed)
         3. Good volume
         4. Eye contact
         5. Assertiveness (e.g. direct, honest, responsible)
         6. Effective questioning to clarify
             i.  Open-ended questions (e.g. why... how... tell me about...)
             ii. Avoidance of close-ended or leading questions (e.g. did you... you were...)
II. Exploration of Ideas and Meanings
    A. Motivation/intention
         1. Learning renewed (e.g. curiosity and interests)
         2. Openness to new ideas (e.g. I never thought of that before... That's new to
               me...)
         3. Interest in the "why" of issues
         4. Hearing divergent perspectives
         5. Cultivation of meaning
     B. Group guidelines
         1. One speaker at a time
         2. Courteous
         3. Tolerant/non-judgmental
         4. All opinions welcomed
         5. Exploration not debate
         6. Agreement not the goal
         7. Discussion stoppers (e.g. winning debates, domination, withdrawing).
         8. Personal opinion stated as such
    C. Research resources
         1. Internet (e.g. Google, Wikipedia, ProCon.org)
         2. Books, magazines, newspapers
         3. Conversations with others
III. Topics for Discussion (Each course section may include but is not limited to the
           following:)
    A. Consumer economics
         1. Self-sufficiency
         2. Resources/entitlements
         3. Rights and protections
         4. Purchasing (e.g. credit cards, prescription plans, medical care)
    B. Health/medicine
         1. Maintenance of independence
         2. Healthy aging (e.g. cognition, physical, emotional)
    C. Technology
         1. Trends/changes
         2. Purchase (e.g. internet service, cable, computer software and hardware)
         3. Operation (e.g. cell phone, I-pod)
         4. Usefulness (e.g. email, internet)
    D. Current events
         1. World
         2. US
         3. California and local
         4. Scams, schemes and frauds
         5. People
         6. Elections/propositions
    E. Environmental issues
         1. Geography (e.g. changing world map)
         2. Climate change
    F. Politics
         1. Politicians
         2. Ideology
         3. Foreign and domestic policies
         4. Judicial decisions
    G. Philosophy/religion/spirituality
         1. Personal values
         2. Decision-making
    H. History
         1. Recollection of events
         2. World
         3. US history
             i.  Birth of the nation (Revolutionary War, Declaration of Independence)
             ii.  1800s
             iii. 1900s
             iv. "This day in history"
     I. Natural history (e.g. plants, animals, evolution)
     J. Science/discoveries/inventions
     K. Social Science
         1. Psychology, anthropology
         2. Gender and socio-economic issues
         3. Cultural studies (e.g. styles and events)
         4. Social movements (e.g. animal rights, disability rights, women's liberation)
    L. Biographies
         1. Historical (e.g. Robert E. Lee, Darwin, Susan B. Anthony)
         2. Recent (e.g. Martin Luther King, Jackie Kennedy-Onassis)
         3. U.S. Presidents
    M. Literature
         1. Historical
         2. Poetry
         3. Novels/stories
         4. Plays
    N. Language
         1. Etymology
         2. Definitions
         3. Foreign (e.g. Spanish)
    O. Art and photography
IV. Enhancement of Quality of Life
    A. Mental stimulation - critical self-reflection (e.g. connection of topics to present life)
         1. Observation (e.g. reframe previous assumptions)
         2. Recognition (e.g. new self-knowledge)
         3. Application (e.g. new meaning and value to past experiences)
    B. Social interactions
         1. Role playing (e.g. great debates, historical re-enactments)
         2. Peer encouragement
         3. Cross generational communication
    C. Emotional well-being
         1. Positive self evaluations (peer compliments, I remembered...)
         2. Self-respect
         3. Expression of feeling and emotions
         4. Experimentation with beliefs and risk taking
         5. Humor and laughter (e.g. funny memories and experiences)

Assignments:
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1. Group discussions
2. In-class activities that may include:
   a) Scenarios
   b) Critical Thinking
   c) Role Playing

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.
Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.Writing
0 - 0%
None
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.Problem Solving
10 - 20%
In-class activities
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.Skill Demonstrations
10 - 20%
In-class activities
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.Exams
0 - 0%
None
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.Other Category
60 - 80%
Attendance, participation, in-class activities, and class discussion


Representative Textbooks and Materials:
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Instructor prepared materials

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