In addition to the previously identified objectives, this course will provide an opportunity for students to develop greater awareness of their own feelings and attitudes regarding disabilities and the people who have them. CFPO #'s 1,2,3,4,7 & 9

* Reference to CFPO (Conceptual Framework Program Outcomes) numbers are based on the Mississippi State University College of Education General Advanced Program Conceptual Framework.

Participation and Attendance
You are an integral component to the success and educational properties of this class.
Your presence and participation in class is desired and required.

Media Assessment (5 points each x 10 - 50 points total)
Each week for ten consecutive weeks you are to submit a written description of a media item which you believe influences general perception of disability or the people who have them. You may describe newspaper and/or magazine articles, television programs (news reports, human insterest stories, situational comedies, soap operas, cartoons, etc.), music, or any other form of public media.

Your report must include the following:
1. When and where you saw it.
2. Why you think it is significant.
3. What concept or influence this illustrates.
4. Your reaction to the item (do you believe it is +/-, or neutral)

If you wish to bring the stimuli to class you are encourged to do so.

Learning Log (10 points each x4 - 40 points total)
You will be required to maintain a "learning log" that consists of weekly commentaries (minimum of three entries per week) on what you are learning from or your reactions to the readings, lectures, and class activities. Include how you are applying this learning to yourself and others in a)personal and b)professional contexts. The purpose of this project is to help you become more aware of your own feelings and beliefs regarding disability. It is also intended to create within each of you a greater awareness of the factors which influence the public's perception of disability and the people who have them.

Your Log must include:

• a brief description of the reading and/or event.
• your reactions to the reading and/or event.
• a description of any insights you have gained.
• a description of events which you believe illustrate concepts described in class
• an explanation of why this item was significant to you

The log will be collected four (4) times during the semester (as noted in the schedule). A total of ten (10) points can be earned for each (total possible = 40). It is NOT required that you keep the journal cumulative.

Self-Help Meeting Report (50 points)
You are to attend at least one meeting of a self-help group established to help people deal with some type of disabling condition. You are to write a report of your attendance at that meeting.

(Note: Your report should contain NO information which might violate the anonymity or confidentiality of participants in the meeting.)

The report will include:

• the name of the group
• a statement about why you chose this group
• the date and location of the meeting
• a brief history of the group (nationally, regionally, etc.)
• a statement of the purpose of the group
• a description of your reaction to the group (emotional)
• a statement of what you learned at the meeting (cognitive)
• a description of what you believe to be the two strongest and weakest aspects of the organization
• a commitment - would you refer clients to this group? Why or why not?

• Learning Log.............40 points
• Media Assessments...50 points
• Self-Help Report.......50 points
• Final Examination....100 points
• Total.........................240 points

Grading criteria:
217 - 240 points = A
193 - 216 points = B
169 - 192 points = C
145 - 168 points = D
      < 144 points = F

Session #2 - Holiday

Session #3 - Social Economic History (Stone, 1984; Zola, 1993)
Assignment Due: Learning Log #1.

Session #4 - Models of disability - (Smart, Ch. 2)

Session #5 - Social determinants of disability (Smart Ch. 3; Stone, 1984)
Assignment Due: Media Assessment One (MA-1)

Session #6 - Sources of prejudice and discrimination (Smart, Ch.4)
Assignment Due: MA-2

Session #7 - The effects of prejudice and discrimination (Smart, Ch.5)
Assignment Due: Learning Log #2 & MA-3

Session #8 - The experience of prejudice & discrimination (Smart. Ch.6)
Assignment Due: MA-4

Session #9 - Individual responses to disability (Smart, Ch.7)
Assignment Due: MA-5

Session #10 - Spring Break

Session #11 - Factors affecting the experience of disability (Smart, Ch. 8 & 9)
Assignment Due: MA-6

Session #12 - Factors affecting the experience of disability (Smart, Ch. 8 & 9)
Assignment Due: Learning Log #3 & MA-7

Session #13 - Personal characteristics and disability (D'Zurilla & Nezu, chpt.5, 1999)
Assignment Due: MA-8

Session #14 - Adjustment and coping (D'Zurilla & Nezu, chpt.7, 1999)
Assignment Due: MA-9

Session #15
Assignment Due: Self-Help Meeting Report & MA-10

Session #16
Assignments Due: Final Examination & Learning Log #4

1. Assignments

• All written assignments must be word processed and have no spelling or punctuation errors. Assignments with said errors will not be graded.
• Students missing class on the day an assignment is due or an examination is scheduled will have one (1) class session to submit the assignment or arrange for and complete a make-up examination. No assignments or examinations will be accepted or allowed after one class session past the due date.

2. Attendance

• You are an integral component to the educational properties of this class. Your presence and participation is desired and required. Each absence following your second (2nd) may reduce your semester point accumulation three (3) points to a maximum total of 24 points.

3. Academic Honesty

• Mississippi State University's Academic Honesty rules apply to ALL course products and activities. See your Student Handbook for possible repercussions.

4. Academic Accommodations

• Qualified students needing academic accommodations are required by law to initiate the request process. If you haven't already made arrangements through Student Support Services and wish to discuss any accommodation needs you may have, my office hours and telephone numbers are included in the syllabus.

5. Caveat

• The information and schedule of events contained in this syllabus are subject to change based upon numerous environmental factors.

Office Hours:

Mon & Wed 12:00 - 2:00pm Tue & Thu 12:00 - 5:00pm

The Constitution of the United States of America (1787).

D'Zurilla, T. & Nezu, A. (1999). Problem-solving therapy: A social competence approach to clinical intervention (2nd Edition). New York: Springer Publishing.

Smart, J. (2009). Disability, society and the individual (2nd Edition). Austin, TX: Pro-Ed.

Stone, D. (1984). The disabled state. Philadelphia: Temple University Press.

Zola, I. (1993). Disability statistics, what we count and what it tells us. Journal of Disability Studies, 4(2), 9-39.