SAULT COLLEGE OF APPLIED ARTS & TECHNOLOGY

SAULT STE MARIE, ON

 

COURSE OUTLINE

Course Title:       Abuse & Family Violence   

Code No.:  HSC 300/OEL 805     Semester:   Three

Program:   Early Childhood Education

Author:      bev.browning@saultc.on.ca

Date: Jan 2003                                   Previous Outline Date: Sept 2002

Approved: ________________________

J. Maundrell

Health, Human Sciences and Teacher Ed.

Date: _______________________

Total Credits:      Three                                                             Prerequisite(s): none

Length of Course: 14 wks                                     Total Credit Hours: 48

Copyright @ 2001 The Sault College of Applied Arts & Technology

Reproduction of this document by any means, in whole or in part,
without the prior written permission of
The Sault College of Applied Arts & Technology is prohibited.

For additional information, please contact the Dean, School of Health,
Human Sciences and Teacher Education, (705) 759-2554, Ext. 603.

 

I. COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course is primarily designed for students from the Early Childhood Education program, but can be customized for students from other disciplines by the completion of alternate assignments.

Child abuse intervention and treatment are now generally seen as the responsibility of every individual. Spousal abuse also needs to take the forefront as a crucial social issue. By examining the ways that families and individuals resolve conflict, students will learn that non-violent behaviours can replace dysfunctional patterns. Learning constructive ways of coping with stress, anger and conflict can become a deterrent to the family violence phenomenon. Students will examine the complex factors and conditions which contribute to various forms of abusive situations within the family. Causes for various forms of violence, reporting procedures, and intervention strategies are examined as well. A web-based format will be used for some assignments and for course notes.

II. LEARNING OUTCOMES AND ELEMENTS OF THE PERFORMANCE:

Upon successful completion of this course the student will demonstrate the ability to: 

1.      Identify Historical, Cultural and Sociological Antecedents to Intra-family Violence and differentiate between forms of abuse
Elements of the Performance:

·        Examine how personal feelings and values influence our effectiveness in working with abused children

·        Examine historical, sociological and religious beliefs which influence attitudes and behaviours towards children and others

·        Differentiate between various forms of abuse and provide legal definitions for these

·        Outline the predominant causal models which underlie abuse

·        Outline the elements of the cycle of violence and describe ways for breaking this cycle

·        Discuss the incidence of various forms of abuse and identify how to interpret statistics on family violence

2.      Outline One's Professional Role in the Early Identification, Prevention/Intervention and Referral Of Families in Which Abuse Is Suspected or Deemed to Be a High Risk.

Elements of the Performance:

For ECE's:

·        Investigate the legislation pertaining to various types of abuse

·        Outline procedures for reporting suspicions of abuse

·        Describe the policies and protocol to be established for dealing with reports within agencies

·        Examine how to handle allegations of abuse

·        Formulate methods for dealing with disclosures of abuse

For other disciplines:

·        Examine the influence of violence in our culture

3.      Identify the indicators and effects of various forms of abuse and outline the characteristics of abusive/neglectful parents.

Elements of the Performance:

·        Differentiate between poor parenting and neglect.

·        Examine the impact of emotional abuse

·        Differentiate between child sexual abuse and incest

·        Compare the various profiles proposed for sexual offenders of children

·        Recognize triggers for violence in dating relationships

·        Determine the factors which contribute to elder abuse

4.      Describe the Impact on Child Victims And/or Witnesses of Violence and Evaluate a Variety of Prevention and Intervention Methods

Elements of the Performance:

·        Describe the characteristics of violent homes

·        Measure the effects of various forms of abuse on child victims

·        Assess the impact of witnessing abuse on later adjustment

·        Describe various prevention programs designed to empower young children

·        Assess how prevention and intervention programs can be used effectively

5.      Explain How Power and Control Imbalance Results in Continuing Patterns of Violence.

Elements of the Performance:

·        Examine current theories which explain why men assault their partners

·        Discuss the complex reasons for why women remain in abusive situations

·        Outline the nature of husband abuse

·        Describe the escalation of violence faced by victims of abuse

6.      Outline support and prevention efforts to reduce the incidence and effects of all forms of abuse

Elements of the Performance:

·        Propose various methods of support and intervention for abused victims and their abusers

·        Determine methods of realigning societal values and socialization practices

III: TOPICS TO BE COVERED:

  1. Personal Values and Self-analysis of Feelings Related to Abuse
  2. Historical, Cultural and Sociological Practices and Beliefs Which Contribute to Intra-family Violence
  3. Forms of Violence; Physical Child Abuse & Partner Abuse
  4. Cycles of Violence
  5. Establishing Child Care Policies to Deal with Disclosures and Allegations of Abuse
  6. The Impact of Violence on Children
  7. Other Forms of Abuse: Emotional Abuse & Neglect; Child Sexual Abuse
  8. Other Forms of Abuse: Elder; and Dating Violence
  9. Empowering Children
  10. Resources Available to Victims and Abusers
  11. The Criminal Justice System
  12. Advocating Social Change

IV. REQUIRED RESOURCES/TEXTS/MATERIALS:

  1. Reaching Out: Working Together to Identify and Respond to Child Victims of Abuse, Rimmer and Prager, ITP Nelson
  2. Child in Need of Protection; AECEO
  3. Day Nurseries Act: Revised Statutes of Ontario, March 2003

EVALUATION PROCESS/GRADING SYSTEM

EVALUATION FORMAT:

Course learning outcomes will be determined on the basis of the following:

1.      RESEARCH ASSIGNMENT                                                              25%

2.      FAMILY VIOLENCE MODULES                                                      25%

3.      TESTS                                                                                                     40%

4.      FAMILY VIOLENCE INTERVIEW/SURVEY                                 10%

                                                                                                                                                 

                                                                                 100%

EVALUATION PROCESS DESCRIPTION:

1.      RESEARCH ASSIGNMENT:

METHOD:    Pick a topic and design a questionnaire or research outline.

In your essay/summary include a clear introduction, a discussion of results/findings and distinct conclusion. Also you must make suggestions on how to prevent such forms of violence.

Any research information and/or quotes from any sources must be appropriately documented using APA Documentation. NO PLAGIARISM!

Supply a related bibliography if applicable.

Refer to the Essay Evaluation to view the marking scheme.

CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:

 

CHOICE 1:          PREPARE A MEDIA FILE

·        Make a list of popular films/videos which depict violence against spouses
(women and/or men).

·        Provide a brief outline of the content.

·        Assess the biases and messages presented in the videos and in the social systems they are depicting.

·        Give examples of conversations and scenes which portray sexual, psychological, physical and/or financial abuse. Include examples of how minority women are portrayed and describe how this portrayal influences the observer's attitudes.

·        What aspects portrayed in the films/videos support the act of spousal abuse? Explain how this helps to perpetuate abuse in our society.

·        Be sure to note where you viewed the film/video, where it can be obtained, and the date printed or made.

CHOICE 2:          DO A MEDIA ANALYSIS OF MUSIC VIDEOS.

·        Use the same parameters as for the above.

CHOICE 3:          ARTICLE SUMMARIES

·        Summarize a minimum of 10 articles on the topic of child abuse, violence against partners, or elder abuse. These will be obtained from current (within the last two years) newspapers, magazines, and journals.

METHOD:    For EACH article, summarize the main points (5 marks)

Discuss the significance on an individual and a societal basis (5 marks)

Propose a course of action or possible solution to the crisis involved (5 marks)

Discuss the implications for the perpetuation of abuse in this type of case (5 marks)

Suggest measures for the prevention of such abuse from recurring (5 marks)

CHOICE 4:          RESEARCH ESSAY

A.        Research how the law related to violence against women has changed over the last 80 years in Canada. How do these changes relate to other issues of women's rights across this time period?

OR

B.        Research how society's attitude to children as well as the legislation for the protection of children in Ontario has changed over the last 100 years. How can Early Childhood Educators become better advocates of children's rights? Suggest some innovative ways of promoting child abuse prevention.

OR     

C.        Do the same as A above, on the topic of Dating Violence.

2.      MODULES QUESTIONS = 5% each module (1, 2, 4, 5, 6)

3.      TESTS - 40%

Achievement of learning outcomes will be measured by mandatory testing as follows:

Test #1 (15%):          

            Test #2 (20%):            

4.      ABUSE AND FAMILY VIOLENCE SURVEY - 10%

See the Survey/Interview procedures and evaluation scheme.

IX. SPECIAL NOTES:

·        Special Needs

If you are a student with special needs (eg. physical limitations, visual impairments, hearing impairments, learning disabilities) you are encouraged to discuss required accommodations confidentially with the instructor and/or contact the Special Needs Office so that support services can be arranged for you.

·        Retention of Course Outlines

It is the responsibility of the student to retain all course outlines for possible future use in acquiring advanced standing at other post-secondary institutions.

·        Your instructor reserves the right to modify the course as he/she deems necessary to meet the needs of students.

 

VI. PRIOR LEARNING ASSESSMENT:

Not yet available