SRJC Course Outlines

3/29/2024 2:53:48 AMOA 502 Course Outline as of Fall 2020

Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION

Discipline and Nbr:  OA 502Title:  AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL WRITING  
Full Title:  Autobiographical Writing for Older Adults
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 502

Catalog Description:
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This course is designed to teach older adults the skills necessary to write personal accounts of their life stories. A supportive learning environment allows students to read their stories and receive feedback in order to bring interest and clarity to their life experiences. Course activities promote or maintain mental, social and emotional well-being and accommodate varying skill levels.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:


Recommended Preparation:

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description: Untitled document
This course is designed to teach older adults the skills necessary to write personal accounts of their life stories. A supportive learning environment allows students to read their stories and receive feedback in order to bring interest and clarity to their life experiences. Course activities promote or maintain mental, social and emotional well-being and accommodate varying skill levels.
(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.   Gain skill reading their stories.
2.   Develop skills in writing their experiences.
3.   Increase effectiveness as a listener.
4.   Integrate new insights into current life.
5.   Establish a supportive connection with people.
6.   Develop a more positive attitude toward life.
 

Objectives: Untitled document
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to accomplish some or all of the following objectives:
1.   Develop a regular schedule of writing.
2.   Employ elements of story writing to personal accounts.
3.   Describe life's challenges, as well as joys.
4.   Receive and evaluate responses to writing.
5.   Revise and edit work after receiving critique.
6.   Discover personal insights through writing about events.
7.   Gain a new perspective and understanding of past experiences.
8.   Listen to peer stories and provide constructive feedback.
9.   Recognize and acknowledge accomplishments of self and peers.
10. Discover a sense of meaning regarding questions of life.
11. Increase self-esteem, self-image and confidence through writing.

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. Types of Life Stories
     A. Personal experiences  (e.g. thoughts, opinions, reflections, observations)
    B. Theme (e.g. growing up in the city, life on the farm, jobs, vacations)
    C. Feelings (e.g. happiest/saddest day of my life, embarrassment)
    D. Events (e.g. wedding, birth of a child)
    E. Period of life (e.g. kindergarten, high school, military)
    F. Family (e.g. parents, siblings, children)
    G. Firsts (e.g. airplane ride, kiss, night away from home)
    H. Life changing moments (e.g. fell in love, natural disaster)
    I.  Historical events (e.g. Kennedy assassination, WWII)
    J. Career (e.g. first job, lost job, accomplishment)
    K. Journal (e.g. observations, experiences, feelings, descriptions)
II. Elements of a Story
    A. Purpose (e.g. autobiography, family history)
    B. Audience (e.g. family, friends, publish)
    C. Time and place (e.g. specific, not general)
    D. Research (e.g. names, dates)
    E. Shaping (e.g. organization)
    F. Point of view (e.g. through whose eyes the story is told, personal or private)
    G. Emphasis on human experience (e.g. gunners rather than guns, sailors rather    
          than ships)
    H. Use of dialog
     I.  Mood (e.g. emotional atmosphere)
    J. Tone (e.g. attitude, distinguish between sentiment and sentimentality, emotion
         and feeling)
    K. Visuals (e.g. pictures, drawing)
    L.  Descriptions (e.g. specifics, sounds, tastes, smells)
     M. Verbs (e.g. action, tempo)
    N. Spelling and grammar
III. Reading Story and Constructive Feedback
    A.  Effective reading
          1. Prepare introduction (e.g. time, setting, people)
          2. Practice ahead
          3. Delivery (e.g. loudness, diction, emphasis)
    B. Offering of feedback
          1. Critique of story
               i. Clarity (e.g. who, what, where, when)
               ii. Element of interest (e.g. how, why)
               iii. Simplicity
               iv. Brevity  
           2. Communication of feedback
               i. Tactfulness (e.g. safe environment)
               ii. Constructive/positive critique (e.g. "I feel it would be clearer if...
                     I would know your sister better if...I think your story would be more
                      interesting if... I would like to hear why...")
               iii. Encouragement
               iv. Confidentiality of classmates
    C. Listening to feedback
         1. Openness to critique/suggestions
         2. Clarification (e.g. summarization, paraphrase)
         3. Tolerant/appreciative
         4. Acknowledgment of suggestions
IV. Enhancement of Quality of Life
    A.  Mental stimulation
         1. Memories recollected and preserved
         2. Enhancement of writing skills
         3. Critical self-reflection (e.g. relationship of past experiences to present life)
               i.  Observation (e.g. new perspective on the past)
               ii.  Recognition (e.g. new understanding of the past)
               iii. Application (e.g. new meaning and value to present life)
    B.  Social Interactions
         1. Community of writers
         2. Peer encouragement
         3. Diversity of experiences yet amazing similarities
         4. Class discussions
         5. Connections to generations (e.g. grandchildren)
    C.  Emotional well-being
         1.   Identity as a writer (e.g. discovering one's voice)
         2.   Sense of purpose/value
         3.   Remembrance of accomplishments
         4.   Expression of feelings and emotions
         5.   Experimentation and risk-taking
         6.   Humor and laughter (e.g. funny memories and experiences)
         7.   Pleasure and satisfaction
         8.   Positive self-evaluations (e.g. peer compliments, "I learned...")
         9.   Self-discovery
         10. Legacy to family and friends

Assignments:
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Assignments include:
       1.  Writing exercises and stories
       2.  Group reading
       3.  Group listening to stories, critiquing, and discussing

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
40 - 60%
Writing exercises, rewrite and edit critiqued stories
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.Problem Solving
0 - 0%
None
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.Skill Demonstrations
0 - 0%
None
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
40 - 60%
Attendance and participation in class activities. Critique of peer writings.


Representative Textbooks and Materials:
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Instructor prepared materials

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