Personal Development SLS 1201
Personal Development
Welcome to the SLS 1201 Home page. This course is designed to assist students in learning more about their own stages of personal development and how developmental issues influence their understanding of self, others, and the environment in which they interact. Some of the developmental issues we will be exploring include psychosocial interactions, cognitive styles, locus of control, learning styles, and moral/ethical development. This course will require extensive online participation in weekly class discussions as well as individual reflection on topics covered. Assignments and quizzes are required on a weekly basis. Two Reaction/Reflection papers will also be required. Please look over the syllabus below for a preview of class requirements
Syllabus| Course Information | |
| Course title: | Personal Development |
| Course number: | SLS 1201 |
| Course description: | This course is designed to assist students in learning more about their own stages of personal development and how developmental issues influence their understanding of self, others, and the environment in which they interact. Areas of development to be explored: psychosocial issues, cognitive structure, learning style, locus of control, values, moral/ethical development, choosing and pursuing personal goals, and other related issues. |
| Prerequisite(s): | None |
| Instructor Information | |
| Name: | Jane Bryant |
| Email: | jhbryant@fccj.edu |
| Office location: | South Campus U-116/Web page: http://www1.fccj.edu/jhbryant |
| Office hours: | Virtual-I will respond to email Monday and Wednesday evenings and Sunday afternoons. |
| Phone: | 646-2105 |
| Textbooks | |
| Required reading: | Becoming Aware: A Look at Human
Relations and Personal Adjustment, Velma Walker/LynnBrokaw,
Kendall/Hunt, Ninth Edition, 0-7575-0786-7
IMPORTANT! Used textbooks are not appropriate for this course. If you purchase a used book and find that there are missing pages, you will still be held responsible for required work found on those pages. Please DO NOT email me about problems with used books. |
| Course Goals | |
| Course goals: | 1. Increase understanding of self and others 2. Improve interpersonal skills 3. Provide opportunities to experience and apply interpersonal skills 4. Provide practical knowledge on the maintenance of human relationships |
| Course Requirements | |
| Introduction: | Participation in the discussions in an online course is extremely important. You and your participation in class discussion activities are what make the class fun and a productive learning experience. When you are absent you cannot be replaced and your absence affects us and what takes place during that discussion. Consequently, each student is required to provide a substantive contribution to the discussion board at least once a week |
| Requirements: | Complete assignments in a timely fashion. Due dates for assignments will stand as published. Participate in class discussions. Complete chapter quizzes. Submit Reaction Papers. |
| Grading System | |
| This course will be graded on a point system. There will be a total of fifteen(15) assignments. Each assignment will be worth 10 points for a total of 150 points. There will be a total of ten (10) chapter quizzes. Each quiz will be worth 10 points for a total of 100 points. There will be a total of two (2) Reaction/Research Papers. Each reaction/research paper will be worth 150 points for a total of 300 points. Participation in chapter discussions will be worth 5 points per chapter for a total of 50 points. | |
| Additional information: | A = 550-600 points; B = 450-549 points; C = 350-449 points; D = 250-349 points. F = 0-249 points |
| Chapter 1 | |
| Lesson: | Getting Acquainted With Ourselves and Others |
| Objectives or Goals: | 1. To discover the importance of relationships in our lives. 2. To understand why self disclosure is so important to all of us. 3. To understand the concept of loneliness. 4. To understand what needs our relationships can satisfy and how we can help ourselves and others satisfy these needs. 5. To learn about shyness and how it can be overcome. 6. To gain an understanding of the people perception process—the way we perceive, evaluate, categorize, and form judgments about the qualities of people we encounter. 7. To learn about the importance of the self fulfilling prophecy and discover how it relates to our lives and to the people around us. 8. To learn about the three stages in the development of a friendship. 9. To learn about the four steps in initiating new relationships. |
| Chapter 1 Discussion Topic | |
| Discuss the elements of the Johari Window and its significance in self-disclosure and developing healthy relationships. Include examples of how we can improve our relationships based on self-awareness and self-disclosure. | |
| Chapter 2 | |
| Lesson: | Self Awareness |
| Objectives or Goals: | 1. To learn different perspectives on how we developed our personal self image. 2. To learn the importance of significant others in our lives. 3. To gain an understanding of Freud’s theory of personality development. 4. To learn about Alfred Adler’s theory of personality development. 5. To learn Erikson’s theory of personality development. 6. To learn the different stages of adult development. 7. To learn Trait Theory, including the “Big Five.” 8. To learn Carl Roger’s Self Theory. 9. To learn Viktor Frankl’s Search for Meaning. 10. To learn Virginia Satir’s Self Worth Theory. 11. To discover your level of self worth. 12. To learn about personal self image and its origin. 13. To study the importance of high self esteem and strategies to improve self esteem. |
| Chapter 2 Discussion Topic | |
| Discuss Erik Erikson's eight stages of psychosocial development. Identify individuals in your life who seem to represent each stage of development and share why you believe they fit each stage. Where would you place yourself in Erikson's psychosocial stages and why? | |
| Chapter 3 | |
| Lesson: | Who's in Control? |
| Date: | Monday, May 3, 2004 |
| Objectives or Goals: | 1. To understand how learning theory relates to our lives. 2. To discover your locus of control. 3. To identify ways to gain control over your life. 4. To discover the importance of self efficacy. 5. To learn social learning theory and discover how it relates to your life. 6. To learn the importance of novel, significant, and conflicting stimuli and how to apply it to your life. 7. To learn how to overcome boredom. 8. To understand the principles and application of operant conditioning. 9. To understand the consequences of our behavior and learn to apply the principles of positive and negative reinforcement and punishment. 10. To develop a self change program that will enable us to change and improve aspects of our lives. 11. To understand the influence of classical conditioning on our behavior and the behavior of others. |
| Chapter 3 Discussion Topic | |
| Discuss the "locus of control" concept. Describe the benefits of having an "internal locus of control" and the benefits of having an "external locus of control". What do you like best and least about your own locus of control? | |
| Chapter 4 | |
| Lesson: | Dealing with Emotions |
| Objectives or Goals: | 1. To discover what emotions are and how they influence our everyday life. 2. To learn how to control our emotions. 3. To understand the four characteristics of emotions. 4. To learn about the different types of emotions. 5. To learn to live with emotions that can be problematic such as fear, anxiety, anger, guilt, grief and love. 6. To understand how emotions develop. 7. To understand what abilities are involved in being emotionally intelligent. 8. To understand the consequences of denying emotions. 9. To learn the five steps in dealing with your emotions. 10. To learn some emotional display rules of different cultures. 11. To understand the benefits of expressing your feelings. 12. To understand the main components of the healing process—known as forgiveness. |
| Chapter 4 Discussion Topic | |
| Discuss Carol Tavris' five forms of anger. Describe examples of each type of anger from your own experience. How do you manage your own feelings of anger? | |
| Chapter 5 | |
| Lesson: | Interpersonal Communication |
| Objectives or Goals: | 1. To understand the importance of good communication skills. 2. To understand the challenges of communication. 3. To learn the various steps in the communication process. 4. To learn about nonverbal communication. 5. To learn how other cultures communicate. 6. To improve our verbal communication skills. 7. To understand gender differences in communication. 8. To develop good listening skills. 9. To learn the different communication spoilers. 10. To understand how to use constructive feedback. 11. To learn to respond reflectively and become an active listener. 12. To learn different styles of responding. |
| Chapter 5 Discussion Topic | |
| Discuss the art of listening actively. Include in your discussion examples of your experience when you have listened actively to another person as well as your experience when you have not practiced active listening strategies. Describe the outcome of each approach. Was there a difference in the quality of communication between these events? Did you respond differently to the speaker? Did the speaker respond differently to you? | |
| Chapter 6 | |
| Lesson: | Developing Close Relationships |
| Objectives or Goals: | 1. To understand the different aspects of love, marriage and relationships. 2. To discover how relationships develop. 3. To discover what role friends play in an individual’s life. 4. To discover the factors present between people that allow friendships to develop. 5. To discover ways to make good friends. 6. To describe the qualities of a friend. 7. To explore definitions of love. 8. To understand the importance of commitment in a relationship. 9. To explore personal expectations of marriage. 10. To explore common difficulties in marriage. |
| Chapter 6 Discussion Topic | |
| Discuss the issues surrounding selection of a mate or life partner. If you are not in a committed relationship at this time, describe the characteristics you would look for in a mate. If you are currently in a committed relationship, share how your views may have changed about the characteristics you would look for in a mate. | |
| Chapter 7 | |
| Lesson: | Resolving Interpersonal Conflict |
| Objectives or Goals: | 1. To gain an understanding of conflict and its causes. 2. To understand the positive and negative effects of conflict. 3. To understand what is involved in a conflict situation. 4. To learn about the different dimensions of conflict. 5. To learn about gender and cultural differences in dealing with conflict. 6. To understand the different styles of conflict management and identify your style of conflict management. 7. To understand the characteristics of the passive (nonassertive), the assertive, and the aggressive person. 8. To learn to be assertive. 9. To learn the different methods of conflict resolution. 10. To learn to master interpersonal conflict. 11. To understand there are some situations when conflicts can’t be resolved. |
| Chapter 7 Discussion Topic | |
| Discuss the difference between passive, aggressive, and assertive behavior styles. Support your discussion with examples from your own experience that illustrate each style. Describe your "typical" behavioral response. | |
| Chapter 8 | |
| Lesson: | Managing Stress and Wellness |
| Objectives or Goals: | 1. To understand what stress is and learn the different types of stress. 2. To understand the causes of stress. 3. To understand the General Adaptation Syndrome. 4. To learn about the physical and behavioral effects of stress. 5. To discover the difference between the Type A and Type B personalities. 6. To learn how to deal with stress effectively. 7. To learn about the characteristics of hardy people. 8. To learn the different coping styles of men and women. 9. To learn about the different coping choices. 10. To understand the power of self talk. 11. To be able to identify rational and irrational beliefs. 12. To apply the different tips for managing stress. |
| Chapter 8 Discussion Topic | |
| Discuss irrational and rational self-talk. Define both subjects and give examples of both from your personal experience including awfulizing statements and overgeneralizations. Share how you might rephrase the irrational statements. How does irrational self-talk contribute to increased levels of stress in some situations? | |
| Chapter 9 | |
| Lesson: | Meaning and Values |
| Objectives or Goals: | 1. To challenge students to question the meaning of life. 2. To define values and discover how values develop. 3. To understand the value clarification process. 4. To learn about cognitive dissonance. 5. To learn the different strategies to resolve value conflicts. 6. To understand how to reduce prejudices and the use of stereotypes. 7. To identify the four tests to apply to an individual’s value orientations. 8. To understand how the term individuation relates to the establishment of one’s identity. 9. To learn how to test values through goal-setting. 10. To understand what living with one’s values really means. |
| Chapter 9 Discussion Topic | |
| Discuss Simon's seven criteria for clarifying "full" values. Think about the values you hold and describe any that satisfy some or all of the seven criteria. Support your claims with personal illustrations. | |
| Chapter 10 | |
| Lesson: | Where Do I Want to Go with My Life? |
| Objectives or Goals: | 1. To understand our personal right to make choices. 2. To grow by accepting risks. 3. To learn fundamental human needs. 4. To understand the purpose of life planning. 5. To learn goal setting strategies. 6. To learn success achievement strategies. 7. To learn time management techniques. 8. To learn how to create balance in life, thereby creating harmony. 9. To learn to organize around balanced priorities for effective time and life management. 10. To understand the mystery of happiness. |
| Chapter 10 Discussion Topic | |
| Discuss the concept of risk-taking. Think about your own experience and identify an experience when you took a risk. Describe this experience and include the outcomes, either positive or negative. Share whether or not, if given the opportunity to go back and do it over again, you would make the same or different choices. | |
