Course Descriptions

Interdisciplinary

IDS106E Child Abuse

This course examines the problems of child abuse and neglect. Medical, psychological, social, and cultural perspectives of the causes of child abuse are examined. Programs and new directions in prevention, recognition, and response are discussed.

IDS110E Coping With the Loss of a Child

The syndrome of grief experienced after losing a child differs in some of the manifestations from those ordinarily experienced following loss.  The effects of loss for parents, grandparents, siblings and many other individuals who have assumed a significant role in the life of the child are considered.  The developmental stage of children’s death concepts is explored as a foundation to the explanation of death to other children, particularly siblings. 1 credit

IDS111E Who Speaks for the Child?  Rights of School-Aged Children

This course is designed to give lay persons an opportunity to study the laws that directly affect the school-aged child.  Using non-technical language, participants are given a basic understanding of the law in areas of confidentiality, liability, special education (Chapter 766), handicapped (P.L. 504) and equal opportunities for female students (622).  1 credit

IDS112E Creative Ways to Help Children Grow

Have television and the internet become the main sources of your children’s knowledge?  Are there more productive ways for promoting the creative processes within our children?  This course allows you to discover new techniques in such areas as rhythm, drama, poetry and language.  There is special emphasis on storytelling in the areas of fairy tales and folk literature. 1 credit

IDS210E Forensic Science and the Courts

This course examines the critical role scientific evidence plays in American courts of law.  Starting from the landmark murder case from 1923, Frey v. United States, where a primitive form of “polygraph” testing was first offered at trial, the readings detail the explosion in the use and importance of such evidence.  The impact of this evidence’s use on the everyday lives of Americans is explored through reading cases on the use of radar in speeding cases, breathalyzers in drunk driving cases, and DNA testing in high-profile murder cases.  The importance of an informed public in the area of science and law as a guarantee to the fair administration of justice is the goal of the course.

IDS222E Elder Law

As life expectancy increases and the population of America ages, there is a growing focus on the law as it applies to the elderly. This course covers a wide variety of topics, including: transferring assets; wills, trusts, and conservators; guardians, medical treatment, and housing; financing health care; long term care insurance; medicaid and medicare; and tax issues.

IDS223E Health and Wellness

An introduction to health concepts and current issues in wellness, with an emphasis on developing health and wellness strategies within the context of daily life. Topics include psycho-social health; stress, violence, and abuse; interpersonal relationships; addictive behavior and substance abuse; infectious and noninfectious diseases; fitness, weight control, nutrition, and eating disorders; alternative therapies; healthy aging; death and dying; and the environment.

IDS224E Obesity: A Childhood Health Crisis

An introduction to the socio-economic, cultural, physical, and genetic factors leading to obesity and other related weight disorders in children. Students receive current data on obesity and have an opportunity to examine and distinguish between the realities and misconceptions contributing to weight problems in children and adolescents. Students gain an understanding of effective intervention strategies and develop the expertise necessary to implement positive weight management behavior in children. An excellent course for parents, educators, health care professionals, and child care workers.

IDS316E Public Relations

Public relations professionals work on the front lines of any organization. This course explores the profession and the skills needed to succeed in this challenging and exciting field. It examines the role of the PR professional in the profit and nonprofit sector. Students learn to define and influence public opinion, to establish and manage a public relations program, and to apply strategies to motivate, inform or sell to varied publics. The use of media, publications, and public speaking are covered.