Child/Adolescent Development, Deviance and Violence: Etiology, Assessment & Treatment – DBFA 400
CG • Section 8WK • 11/08/2019 to 04/16/2020 • Modified 07/28/2020
Course Description
This course examines the developmental aspects of deviant, violent and problem behaviors in children and adolescents. Effective interventions and referral strategies for helping minors and their parents are addressed, as well as some of the sociological and community related factors regarding these challenging issues. Ethical concerns and multicultural factors are also considered.
Prerequisites
None
Rationale
The cultural battle for the hearts and minds of today’s children and adolescents is stronger than ever. Increasing rates of delinquency, deviance, and violence in our culture, particularly among young people, is taking a dramatic toll on society. Yet, too often, the media misses the etiological factors behind these behaviors, often casting blame in places it does not belong. In order to redeem the culture, responsive and proactive measures must begin with an understanding of the root causes. This course addresses aggressive and violent behaviors in light of contemporary behavioral science theory and research, considering the political, sociological, and cultural factors that also play a part. Intervention strategies, filtered through a theological lens, are offered to develop a compassionate Christian response to such behaviors. This course is offered in an eight-week format and includes extensive readings, experiential observations, exams, a research paper, and interactions with other students via Discussion Board.
Measurable Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Describe etiological factors surrounding strong-willed, deviant, and violent behaviors among children and adolescents.
- Describe proactive parenting strategies for effective discipline and child-rearing for strong-willed children and adolescents.
- Demonstrate critical thinking skills needed to evaluate, critique and synthesize current research on deviance and violence.
- Identify how different ethnicities and cultural dynamics are impacted by adolescent deviance and violence.
- Examine the cultural, sociological, and political factors related to adolescent development, deviance, and violence.
- Understand public policy issues related to advocacy on behalf of troubled adolescents, victims, and societal interests.
Course Assignment
Textbook Readings and lecture presentations
Course Requirements Checklist
After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in Module/Week 1.
Forums (3)
Each forum will require the student to answer questions with a minimum 400 word thread based on that particular module/week’s course materials. The students will be required to post a 300 word reply to one other student’s thread. Specific assignment instructions are included with the course materials. (MLOs: A, B, C, D, E)
4MAT Reviews (2)
The 4-MAT Book Review system is a way of responding to readings that requires the learner to interact with new ideas on several levels, including a Summary, Concrete Responses, a Reflection, and personal Application. Specific assignment instructions are included with the course materials. (MLOs: A, B, C, E)
Movie Reviews (2)
The Movie Review assignments provide opportunities to focus on a movie that has an example of a cultural battle for today’s children and adolescents . Students must interact with the movie’s content in a way that aids understanding of the impact of movies on the counseling process, including a Review, and the Personal/Professional Implications of the movie. Specific assignment instructions are included with the course materials. (MLOs: A, B, C, E)
Essay (1)
The student will write an APA formatted essay on the prompt provided. The essay will contain a minimum of 500 words and no more than 750 words. The essay must incorporate scholarly research and demonstrate course-related knowledge. (MLOs: B, C, D, E, F)
