DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND COMMUNITY SERVICES
HCSV 363-03
CHILD HEALTH
Instructor: Dr. Mary Rushka
OFFICE:
OFFICE HOURS: TR.
1 – 3 or by appointment
PHONE: 898-4620
HCSV DEPT. OFFICE
DESCRIPTION OF COURSE:
This
course is part of the Upper Division Theme: The Child. For this course to count towards the theme,
you must have already completed 45 semester units.
Child
Health is an examination of the status, needs and trends in the health of
COURSE READING MATERIALS:
1) Most readings are available on the
weekly WebCT lesson page.
2) Supplemental readings will be available
at Mr. Kopy or distributed in class.
THEME
OBJECTIVES:
This course, Child Health, includes principles and current knowledge from the Natural Sciences and Behavioral and Social Sciences. The theme objectives will be met by using at least five of the six unifying concepts (the six Es).
2. Evolution: Students will investigate whether or not childhood and
notions of childhood have actually evolved, and if they have, in what
manner. They also will delve into one
the great controversies of the past three centuries: the contributions of
heredity and environment to the development of thought, behavior, and
personality. Finally, students will consider whether childhood is a true
developmental stage in the ontogeny of an adult or merely a social construction
of wealthy cultures.
3. Economics: Students will
consider the distribution of both wealth and power in a society and its
implications for children and the nature of the impact of economic factors upon
children and their development (especially the extremes of poverty and bounty).
4. Ethnicity: Students will
focus on questions such as the pros and cons of raising children to maintain
their ethnic identities in pluralistic societies, and whether or not
homogeneous societies are preferable to heterogeneous ones.
5. Experience: Students will
explore the significance of early experience and the extent to which early
experiences set a child on a more or less irrevocable path, and the influence of numerous socializing agents in society
(e.g., parents, teachers, peers), and experience in general.
6. Epidemiology: Students will study the factors that determine
the origin, frequency, and distribution of diseases in children. They will also learn ways to alter these
factors to prevent or delay negative health outcomes.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
The student will be able to:
1. List the types of research utilized in
the study of the health of the child and distinguish the scientific method from
hearsay in interpreting material written about the health of children.
2. Discuss the status and trends in the
health of
3. Distinguish
the differences in health status and need among ethnic and racial subgroups and
explore the variables affecting health status and need, giving special
attention to the effects of poverty.
4. Describe the stages that influence the
physical development of the child from conception to early adolescence,
including genetic and environmental influences.
5. Analyze
the genetic and cultural influences upon the development of sexuality of the
child from conception to adolescence, including issues such as homosexuality,
sex education and child sexual abuse.
6. List
and discuss the common diseases and disorders occurring from conception to
early adolescence: description, cause, prevalence, risk factors, symptoms, treatment,
prevention and measures.
7. Analyze the major factors influencing
the health of the child (early experience, diet, physical activity, accidents,
stress, violence, drug use and sexuality) and be able to list ways that
parents, teachers, community workers and policy makers can enhance health
promotion behaviors.
8. Analyze the risks the physical
environment places upon the health of the child and be able to discuss several
advocacy efforts to counteract their negative influence.
9. Address social influences and public
policy regarding the quality and availability of health services for children,
including past, current, and future directions, with special attention to the
impoverished.
10. Discuss
the role of the parent, the school, the community and government programs and
policies in enhancing the health of the child.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING
This
section of Child Health will meet both in the classroom AND on WebCT. WebCT is an online environment that will
supplement our course through the use of discussion, dedicated email, course
calendar and live chat rooms. Each student must log on at least weekly and
complete all online activities/assignments in order to successfully fulfill the
course requirements. You may
find this course on your Chico State Portal page – “WebCT Campus (OLD
Edition..”)
*Availability of course materials online is NOT COMPREHENSIVE and will NOT SUBSTITUTE FOR ATTENDANCE IN CLASS. Roll will be taken each class meeting and students who accumulate 3 or more absences will have their course grade reduced by one grade.
You are required to read
each group of course packet readings for the day assigned (see course reading
list), as well as the information presented on WebCT. Please come to class prepared to ask
questions, comment on what you're reading and demonstrate motivation to learn
through active participation. Specific
course requirements include:
WebCT Projects: There will be five online projects (worth 60
points each) designed to help you perform directed research in selected child
health issues. These projects will not
be as lengthy as course papers and you will post them directly on the Discussion
board. All directions for completing
these assignments will be posted on the five weekly modules indicated on Course
Schedule. Some of these assignments
require you to read the submissions of your classmates and, when indicated,
respond to their work directly on the Discussion board. Use reflective thought and documentation
(evidence that you have read the week’s information) about each topic before
engaging in discussion.
*
Use complete sentences, correct grammar, and correct spelling.
* Be clear about whether you
are using your personal opinion or knowledge in each posting.
*
You may be asked to further develop your discussion points in class.
Quizzes: Come prepared to take a
short quiz on most Tuesdays. Quizzes
will cover the previous week’s material.
No make-ups.
Examinations: There will be one final examination
consisting of essay, multiple choice and true/false questions. You will need a
#882 Scantron and a #2 pencil.
Child Health Presentation/Paper: In
groups of two, you will prepare and present a 5 – 10 minute lecture/discussion
to the class on a child health/disease topic of your choice. Each pair of
students will sign up for a presentation date. There is a list of suggested
topics, but you may choose an original topic—with prior approval. Each
student also writes his/her OWN 2–4
paged paper on the same topic, including a bibliography. Paper is due 3/15. See last two pages for all the details.
Playground Observation: Visit a local playground and observe the following:
1) physical
development of the children;
2) layout and
safety of the play equipment;
3) physical
activity and interaction among children AND between children and adults;
4) gender
differences demonstrated during play.
5) Conclude
your paper by making some suggestions for improvement of this play
environment.
Write your perceptions and summary (including suggestions
for positive change) in a 2-page, double-spaced typed paper, using 12-pt font,
written according to APA or MLA style guidelines. BE SURE TO COMPLETE AND ATTACH THE PLAYGROUND SAFETY CHECKLIST
FOUND IN YOUR WEBCT READING MATERIALS.
Papers will be scored as follows:
All
of the above (5) observations described adequately: 25 points
Meaningful
use and incorporation of safety checklist: 25
points
Overall
quality of paper’s content: 25
points
Presentation
(grammar, punctuation, spelling) quality
25 points
TOTAL 100 points
EVALUATION/GRADES
PROJECT POINTS
POSSIBLE
1. Five
WebCT-based projects 300
2. Quizzes 100
3. Final
exam 100
4. Playground
Observation 100
5. Presentation
with paper 100
TOTAL 700
Assignment of Course Grades
A = 658 - 700 A- = 630 - 657
B+ = 588 - 629 B = 582
- 587
B- = 560 -
581 C+ = 525 - 559
C = 519 -
524 C- = 490 - 518
Child Health/Disease Presentation & Paper due dates:
Paper due Thursday, March 15 in CLASS. Presentation dates TBA.
Playground Observation paper due: Tuesday, April 17
Weekly readings are accessible through links on the
WebCT lesson page for that week AND in Course
Dates of supplemental lectures and events related to
child health will be posted on your WebCT calendar. I encourage everyone to let us know of any
related events of interest, also. You may earn up to 20 points extra credit
for attendance at these events when you submit a one-page typed summary of your
impressions.
CHILD HEALTH
PRESENTATION/PAPER
DUE DATE:
Thursday,
March 15 (individual paper)
Group presentations
will be scheduled.
PURPOSE: To
demonstrate your in-depth knowledge on a particular biological, psychological
or sociological condition that children face today, how this might impact a
child in a particular developmental stage, its long and short term effects, and
how it might affect the family. To demonstrate your ability to use professional
journals to obtain information about child health.
TASK: Choose
from a list of topics below, or use an original pre-approved idea, and write a
2 – 4 paged paper, 12 point font, double spaced, and prepare a 5 minute
lecture/discussion to present to the class. For your presentation, you may use
any number of tools: power point, over-heads, posters, or a quick quiz to
present your information. Expect to be able to answer some questions from the
class.
CONTENT:
Use the guidelines below for the content of your paper. Include a reference list of at least 5 resources. Two of the resources must be scholarly journals. The paper must be typed in 12 point font, using the APA or MLA style of writing. A copy of the presentation tools used is to be turned in at the time or your presentation. Your presentation should include your reference list. Presenters are expected to be able to answer questions from the class about material presented.
|
Biological |
Psychological/intellectual |
Sociological |
|
Definition |
Definition |
Definition |
|
Incidence |
Incidence |
Incidence |
|
Prevalence |
Prevalence |
Prevalence |
|
Symptoms |
Symptoms/Behaviors |
Positive/Negative factors |
|
Prevention |
Prevention if appropriate |
Programs available |
|
Treatment-Accepted |
Treatment-Accepted |
What society accepts |
|
Treatment-Alternative |
Treatment-Alternative |
What society doesn’t accept |
|
Short-term effects |
Short-term effects |
Short-term effects |
|
Long-term effects |
Long-term effects |
Long-term effects |
|
Specific Dev. Stage |
Specific Developmental Stage |
Specific Dev. Stage |
|
Effects on Family |
Effects on Family |
Effects on Family |
|
Cure? |
Cure? |
Prevention? |
|
New facts to you |
New Facts to you |
Facts new to you? |
TOPICS
|
BIOLOGICAL |
PSYCHOLOGICAL/INTELLECTUAL |
SOCIOLOGICAL |
|
Birth Defects |
ADHD |
Poverty |
|
Down’s Syndrome |
Autism |
Very Wealthy |
|
Premature Birth |
Bullying |
Multi-racial families |
|
Low birth weight babies |
Medications for psychological and/or behavioral disorders |
Alternative lifestyles |
|
SIDS |
Home schooling |
Divorce |
|
Cerebral palsy |
Skipping a grade |
Child Maltreatment |
|
Muscular dystrophy |
Holding children back in school |
Bi-lingual children/one language adults |
|
Blindness |
Child Prodigies (intellect/arts/sports) |
Specific Cultures |
|
Deafness |
Eating disorders |
Latch-key children |
|
Chronic Diseases (asthma, diabetes, cystic fibrosis) |
Behavioral disorders/mental illnesses: bipolar, depression, suicide, schizophrenia, others |
Discipline techniques: spanking, positive, lenient, strict |
|
Acute Diseases |
Effect of media on children |
Juvenile justice system, effects on kids |
|
Obesity |
Effect of War or terrorism on children |
Out of home day care |
|
Developmental Delay |
Self-esteem issues |
Children & drugs |
GRADING:
The combination of paper (90 points) and presentation (10
points) is worth 100 points. Your grade
will not be influenced by any unease with the actual presentation, but only by
the content.
Paper:
Description of topic (definition, epidemiology,
incidence, prevalence, symptoms, prevention) 15
points
Treatment (current, accepted treatment, alternative
therapies)
10 points
Short and long term effects on a child 10
points
Effect on a specific developmental stage of childhood 10
points
Effects
on the family 10 points
New facts to you 5
points
References (at least 2 professional sources)
20 points
General writing skill 10 points
Presentation:
Preparedness (2), Tools Used (2), Accuracy (3), Completeness (3)