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Nature of course request C02405 :

New course 400/500 course

First term offered : Fall 2013
Course Prefix&Number Descriptive Title Credits/Hours
Gero 410 Junior Practicum in Gerontology 4 -




Abbreviation for Class Schedule(20 spaces)
Junior Practicum
Catalog Description:
The purpose of this course is to develop personal and professional competencies by participating in a 60-hour field experience. An additional 2-hour weekly seminar class is required covering topics related to integration of gerontological content, workplace issues, professional practices, and career exploration.
Course Goal and Objectives:
To gain professional skills and experiences in gerontology by participating in an approved field experience site for a minimum of 60 hours during the term. -Share field experiences with other students during seminar class. -Analyze issues related to professionalism within gerontology. -Assess self in relation to professional and personal qualities and skills. -Demonstrate professional roles and responsibilities through field placement experience (interaction with other professionals) and seminar classes (interaction with peers). -Understand professional codes of behavior and how to examine ethical questions and issues as they relate to professional practice with older adults and their families. -Complete written weekly assignments in order to examine the field placement site and one¿s professional ability to evaluate a work site.
Justification for adding the course (e.g. alignment with other institutions, program revision, etc.):
Gerontology is a new (started Fall 2011) interdisciplinary major at WOU, it was designed for students working with older adults. This course will provide opportunities for Gerontology Major and Minors to gain practical skills and apply their knowledge in gerontology when serving older adults. The practicum experience is now optional and does not include a seminar class. We would like to require this course to aid our students in understanding aging in a field experience, increase their knowledge of career opportunities in the field, and develop pertinent skills to increase their marketability when finished with the program. Currently, we are aligning our program requirements with the Program of Merit distinction as issued through the Association of Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE). This additional required practicum experience would enable our program to apply for this distinction with the appropriate amount of required practicum hours. This additional practicum course also will better position our students for careers in gerontology.
Faculty and facilities needed:
None
Brief Course outline:
The course requires that students participate in a practicum and write weekly reports on issues relevant to their field experiences. The course outline for the seminar class works in tandem with the weekly writing assignments. These include: -Enhancing Practicum Personal and Professional Outcomes -Organizational Structure -Professional and Personal Role Balanced -Interpersonal Communication -Methodologies and Techniques Related to Gerontological Practice -Resources and Materials -Documentation -Integration of Gerontological Content and Learning -Professional Ethics -Career Goals


Approval Queue C02405
Step Approver Decision Timestamp
1 - Department Margaret Manoogian ApprovedNovember 20 2012
Comments: No dept chair
2 - Division Margaret Manoogian ApprovedNovember 21 2012
Comments: No division chair
3 - Division Curriculum Margaret Manoogian ApprovedNovember 22 2012
Comments: No division curriculum chair
5 - Curriculum Committee Thaddeus Shannon ApprovedJanuary 16 2013
Comments: Approved with course title changed to "Practicum in Gerontology I".
5 - Graduate Committee Kimberly Jensen RejectedJanuary 15 2013
Comments: Submitted to graduate studies committee by mistake.
6 - Faculty Senate Keller Coker ApprovedFebruary 06 2013
7 - Dean Stephen Scheck ApprovedFebruary 06 2013
8 - Provost Kent Neely ApprovedFebruary 07 2013


Attached Files:
Gerontology 410 Jr Practicum 11-11-12 final.doc   Download
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