MALE IDENTITY IN TODAY'S SOCIETY
AL-D/H3C ACTIVITIES
ADULT DEVELOPMENT COMPETENCE:
 
AL-D/H3C Competence Statements
AL-D/H3C Competence Development
AL-D/H3C Final Project
AL-D/H3C Online Discussion
Activities Main Page

 
 
 
 
(Adult Development) Competence Statements:
Pre-1999 Undergraduate Program
AL-D Competence Statement, Arts of Living Domain:  Can examine adult growth and development in terms of changes in attitudes, values, and understandings.

1999 Undergraduate Program
H-3-C Competence Statement, The Human Community Domain, Individual Development Sub Category: Can use theories or models of adult growth and development to understand one's own experience.
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AL-D/H3C Competence Development: 
Students taking the course for either of these two competencies will work together in developing a common understanding of how men's roles and development patterns influence individuals in today's society.  Each student will develop a final project that demonstrates how his or her experience has been effected by these roles and patterns.  Whether male or female, each of us have been effected by these factors. 

This competence reflects generalized learning as well as self understanding and exploration.  The assessment of masculinity in today's world is developed in the Kilmartin text.  Students in this competence group are encouraged to explore perspectives of masculinity to include in their contributions to the discussion group and final project.  This can be done by referring other resources from the course book list or exploring the Internet. 

Developing competence for AL-D/H3C will therefore include your participation in general course readings and activities, online discussion, reflection and application of concepts related to adult development.  There are several options to choose from for your final demonstration of competence listed below.  Top
 

AL-D/H3C Final Project: Students have two options for their final projects for the AL-D/H3C competence.  By the fifth week of class, each student must choose one of the following options and notify the instructor which option has been chosen.  To do so, answer the questions listed in the "proposal" section of the assignment below and send them via email by the fifth week of class.  Title the email "AL-D/H3C Project Proposal". 

The project paper is to be 7-10 pages and sent as an email attachment.  It is strongly suggested that you read and consider each of the options below in the first week of the course so that you can think about them for several weeks before decide.  Email any questions to the instructor. Top

AL-D/H3C Option A)  Students may choose a particular man to assess in terms of course themes and theoretical models described in the text.  Your written assessment of this person should include an analysis of the perspectives represented by the weekly themes such as:  use of the models presented to describe attitudes; health and physical development background; experience with emotions and mental health; experience with relationships including friends, partners, parents and family; cultural influences; attitudes about work, violence and sexuality; and acceptance of changing roles of masculinity.  

This man may be yourself, a relative or acquaintance or someone famous.  If you choose someone famous, you must research that man's life and provide references.  If you choose someone you know, you must interview him and/or others who know him and any other data sources about his life using the course themes as a guide for your inquiry. 

Your paper can include his perspectives as well as your own.  It must relate and refer to information presented in the course through the text and your Internet and/or library research and not simply be his personal story from his or your own perspective.  Rather, his experience should be used as examples to demonstrate what you have learned in the class.  It should also include your perspective of how his masculinity has influenced your experience. 

AL-D/H3C Option A Proposal Questions:
1) Who is the man you choose to assess and what is his relationship to you?
2) How do you plan to research his personal history?
3) What is your interest in using this man as the subject of your project?
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AL-D/H3C Option B)  Students may read a popular book regarding men's psychological development and use it to write a paper comparing and contrasting that author's views with those represented in the Kilmartin text.  Students choosing this option can begin their search for a book by checking the course book list

The paper should critique and analyze the author's views in terms of the course themes as described in Option A above.  This should be done using the models presented in the Kilmartin text, the topics explored in class and your position of agreement or disagreement with the author's views. 

Also, write a three paragraph abstract of your findings to be posted on the course reading list for students use in future classes.

AL-D/H3C Option B Proposal Questions:
1) What is the name of the book to be used and what is its main focus? 
2) Who is the author and what is that person's background?
3) What is your initial interest in reading this author's work?
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AL-D/H3C Online Discussion:  The general nature of online discussion for this competence group will be to share experience and opinions that relate to adult development issues.  Each week's discussion will relate to the course objectives, readings and activities for that week that are found on the "General Activities" page. 

Students are to begin with the discussion questions listed in that week's message from the instructor and can use the discussion groups to discuss any issues related to their assignments, the readings or issues related to them.

Access to the discussion group can be gained from the "Course Activities Main Menu" page or can be bookmarked for later access.  The link titled, "Direct Access to Blackboard Discussion Groups," will take you to the DePaul Blackboard course management tool.  For more information about the "Blackboard" system, consult the "General Activities" page.

Students are to review the procedures, protocol and grading for participation in their online discussion group before getting started.  These issues will be discussed in the formal course meeting the first week of class. Top