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	Sonoma State University Human Development 391: Junior Seminar
	Professor Geri Olson, PH.D. (707) 664-2265 olsong@sonoma.edu Office: Stevenson 3091 Office hours: Wednesday 2 p.m. — 4          and Th 2 p.m. — 3 Classroom: Carson Hall 0010 Class begins: August 30, 2006 Wednesday 10 a.m. — 11:50 Click Here for Class Calendar
	The Junior Seminar is a course where Human Development majors build community through the study of a selected theme. This fall the Junior Seminar will focus on narrative methods and the ways that people tell the story of their life, both in written form and through the expressive arts. Students will be writing about their own life, reading the autobiographies of others, and exploring ways to tell a life story through art. Art process work will focus on narrative themes and might include collage, altered books, photo transfer, a life story art deck, and assignments related to family history. In this way we will examine our own development and reflect on our history through memoir writing and the study of the autobiographical form. Narrative writing is concerned with story-telling and the storied nature of human experience. We will explore the value of narrative in understanding the development of a person’s life and how this very personal way of understanding can be used in many careers in the field of human development. This seminar uses methodology from psychology, literature, and other branches of the social sciences and humanities. We will study biography, autobiography, interview, mythic form, and the oral and written narratives of each other. This is an interactive and experiential seminar and it is expected that each participant will be passionate about reading, writing, and engaging in dialogue about human development. The format of this class includes reflective writing, group discussion, guest lectures, art process and the use of film. The requirements for the class include keeping a journal, reading the texts and other materials, weekly and class assignments, a group presentation, final project and a commitment to participate in class. The objectives of this seminar include: v Exploring human development from a narrative perspective. v Creating narrative snapshots of our lives through the practice of creative writing, utilizing a variety of memoir writing techniques. v Studying the impact of narrative method in a variety of settings, such as in hospitals, assisted living environments, prisons and psychotherapy. v Researching potential career paths with a degree in Human Development. v Building community with Human Development majors. Required text: v Unreliable Truth, Maureen Murdock Choose one of the following: v The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, Jean-Dominique Bauby v An autobiography or memoir of your choice Additional reading will be required for a research project and presentation. Students will also need a separate journal, spiral bound and with blank pages, for this class. There could also be some additional expense for art supplies. Ongoing Assignments: • weekly sharing in class • autobiographical journal writing • ongoing art process journal work • participation in reflective exercises • completion of weekly assignments Other Assignments: • a group presentation on human development or narrative • an individual narrative project and paper (this is the final) • three essays These assignments and the presentation format will be discussed on the first day of class. Your group presentation can be on the topic of narrative or on a special topic of interest in human development. For example, a presentation on narrative psychology might reflect an interest in narrative development in infancy and childhood, narrative and the psychology of women, the use of narrative in clinical, prison or medical settings, the use of narrative in elder healthcare, or the current research on writing and healing, A presentation in an area of human development might range from investigating the influence of technology on social skills in children to global issues related to hunger, genocide, or the ways that elders are treated in different societies. We will also talk in class about the rich possibilities for the individual final project. The purpose of this project is to gain a deeper understanding of your life through a combination of writing, art and storytelling. Each person will design a culminating project that explores the storied nature of an individual life, using one of the expressive arts. This project could be in the form of a narrative quilt, a dance or dramatic performance, a sculpture, a story telling doll, altered book art, illustrated journal or scrapbook, or a genealogy project. This final project also requires a memoir and sharing. The most important ingredient in the experiential classroom is a sense of trust. Writing, art, and storytelling can bring deeply moving stories to the circle. It is important that you are invested in discovering new aspects of your own life story and that you hold the lives of your classmates with a sense of respect. Please bring the gift of your life experience to the class and know that your life story will be held with the highest regard. Human Development majors must have a grade of C or better to count this course for their major. This is how the grades from A - C will be assigned: 95-100/A, 90-94/A-, 88-89/B+, 83-87/B, 80-82/B-,78-79/C+, 73-77/C, 70-72/C- Because this seminar does not have a traditional exam, grades are based on the completion of assignments, participation in class and the quality of the presentation and final project. I will use a 200 point system to record the completion and quality of assignments in the following way: 20 Essay 1 20 Essay 2 30 Presentation 40 Narrative Project 30 Assignments (short papers, journal) 60 Attendance/participation 200+ Please note the following campus, department, or classroom policies. Academic Integrity. We are committed to a code of values that honors academic and personal integrity, honesty and ethical standards. We expect students to complete their own work. When a student refers to the ideas of another person, we expect students to acknowledge this work by the appropriate citation. In this class, any incident of academic dishonesty will result in the attachment of a failing grade for that assignment and may involve university disciplinary action. Classroom Culture. For the benefit of all members in the class, we would like to remind you to turn off your cell phones during class, not to smoke on the walkway or near the doorways of Stevenson Hall and to limit your talking to class-related topics. Please always respect the rights and preferences of those around you. In class we will talk about your right to privacy, (for example, in your journal) and the guidelines we would like to establish together about confidentiality in the classroom. Students with Disabilities. All students with special needs are invited to meet with me early in the semester so that I am prepared to support you. Please register with the SSU Disabled Student Services (707-664-2677, Salazar Room 1049) and bring the authorization form indicating the specific accommodations needed. Adaptation of methods, material, or testing may be made to provide for equitable participation. I encourage all students to become familiar with all of the student support services on campus. This includes tutoring, writing support, health care and counseling services.  HomePage     Myth Class        Human Development Class       Creativity Class      Doll Class      Links          SSU Home