Loss Across the Lifespan

Chadron State College

Family & Consumer Sciences
FCS 420/520 -- Loss Across the Lifespan
Summer 2016 -- 8 Week Online
Credit Hours 3
Instructor -- Dr. Russ Seger

Description:
A study of the "losses" experienced by individuals and families throughout the course of
life. This includes the loss of things, relationships, physical function, as well as intrapsychic
loss, social loss and systemic loss. Losses and the interpretation of the effects of loss
change as we progress through the life cycle. We will focus on loss and grief as it happens
through life.
Required Texts:

All Our Losses All Our Griefs Kenneth R Mitchell and Herbert
Anderson Westminster Press 1983
A Grief Observed: C.S. Lewis Harper San Francisco 1961
A Death in the Family; James Agee Penguin Books. 1957

Student Learning Outcomes:

* Discuss theories related to loss and grief
* Analyze the six major kinds of loss in life and understand the impact on individuals of
different ages
* Consider the impact of loss on resiliency
* Identify strategies which contribute to effectively dealing with loss at any age
* Explore the relationship between individual loss and family dynamics
Methods of Instruction:
Online instruction via Sakai. This course will include reading, writing and completion of
online assignments. Discussions with the instructor. Students are expected to use critical
thinking and problem solving to complete the course.
Course Requirements:
1: A paper describing your Loss history, Using Mitchell and Andersons
description of kinds of losses

50 points

2: A written response to C.S. Lewis's book "A Grief Observed"

25 points

3: Book Review James Agee "A Death in the Family"

25 points

4: Ongoing discussions with instructor and classmates

50 points

5: Major paper on a type of loss

100 points

Grades:
90%-100% -- A
80%-89% -- B
70%-79% -- C
60%-69% -- D
Late Papers:
Assignments turned in after the due date will be subject to a reduction in points.
Location:
Please submit papers to the correct location to receive credit. A reduction in points will be
assessed if your work can not be found.
Honesty:
There are opportunities for student involvement in this online course. Research shows that
involvement is critical to learning. Short-cuts to learning usually end up as
roadblocks. Plagiarism of an assignment in whole of in part is destructive to learning and
may result in failing the class and/or expulsion from Chadron State College.
Format for Papers:
Name
FCS420/520
Subject
Due Date
Papers may be single spaced; double spaced between paragraphs
Title page only on the final paper
Standard font, font size, and margins
Any citations will be APA style
IMPORTANT INFORNATION:
Education Conceptual Framework:
This course supports the conceptual framework, Developing as Visionary Leaders for
Lifelong Learning through the following components:

Communication
Professionalism
Human Relations/ Diversity/Attendance
Assessment
Thinking Skills
Methodology/ Technology.

ACADEMIC BEHAVIOR:
Honesty: Students are expected to conduct themselves in conformity with the highest
standards in regard to academic honesty. Violation of college, state, or federal standards

with regard to plagiarism, cheating of falsification of official records will not be

tolerated. Students violating such standards will be subject to discipline, as per campus
policies articulated in the Student Handbook. You can request a copy from the Dean of
Students.
Attendance: Because this is an online course, the instructor can only assume that you are
taking the necessary steps to complete your work. Participation is expected; on line
discussions are an important part of the learning.
Civility: Civil behavior enhances the academic setting, and is expected at all
times. Courtesy and respect for others are essential elements of the academic culture. The
academic environment welcomes a difference of opinion, discourse and debate within a civil
environment.
Nondiscrimination Policy/Equal Educational Opportunity Policy: Chadron State College is
committed to an affirmative action program to encourage admission of minority and female
students and to provide procedures which will assure equal treatment of all students. The
college is committed to creating an environment for all students that is consistent with
nondiscriminatory policy. To that end, it is the policy of Chadron State College to
administer its academic employment programs and related supporting services in a manner
which does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, national origin, age,
religion, disability or marital status. Student requests for reasonable accommodation based
upon documented disabilities should be presented within the first two weeks of the
semester, or within two weeks of the diagnosis, to the Disabilities Counselor.
Diversity: Chadron State College aspires to create a safe and diversity-sensitive learning
environment that respects the rights, dignity, and welfare of students, faculty, and
staff. Diversity includes the fair representation of all groups of individuals, the inclusion of
minority perspectives and voices, and appreciation of different cultural and socioeconomic
group practices. We aspire to foster and maintain an atmosphere that is free from
discrimination, harassment, exploitation, or intimidation. Courses will strive to provide
opportunity for all students to discuss issues of diversity including but not limited to
ethnicity, gender, disability, and sexual orientation.
Intellectual Real Estate/ Copyright Notice: Reproduction of copyrighted materials is
governed by Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code). Under
conditions of this law, students may copy materials for research or scholarship purposes as
long as the copyright holder is cited. In teaching situations, parts of copyrighted material
may be used under the "fair use" guidelines, but only once, and the copyright holder must
be cited. Unauthorized use may be liable for copyright infringement.
Use of Technology: Students are encouraged to use the technical resources provided in
Chadron State College facilities to support, enhance, and expand their learning
activities. Chadron State College recognizes that learning is a unique human endeavor best
achieved through the interactions of instructors and students. Technology is bet used when
it supports and enhances teacher-student as well as student-student interactions.
Disclaimer: This syllabus and schedule is articulated as an expectation of class topics,
learning activities and expected student learning. However the instructor reserves the right
to make changes in this schedule that within his/her professional judgment would result in
enhanced or more effective learning on the part of the students. These modifications will
not substantially change the intent of objectives of this course and will be done within the
policies and procedures of Chadron State College.