HDF390 Online—Families and Children in Global Perspective
F14
CREDITS (3:3) GE Marker: GN
COURSE PREREQUISITES: HDF 211 and 212 or permission of instructor, 2.5 GPA
INSTRUCTOR
Dr. Mary Y. Morgan
Office Hours: W 1:00-3:00
Office: 130 Stone Building
Phone: 256-0096; Email: mymorgan@uncg.edu
COURSE DESCRIPTION
A study of Asian, African, Latin American and Eastern European families and children, focusing on
family structure, gender roles, and socialization practices within their socioeconomic, historical, and
cultural contexts.
REQUIRED TEXTS
Roopnarine, Jaipaul L. & Gielen, Uwe P. (2005). Families in global perspective. Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
TEACHERS ACADEMY CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of professional education at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro is to ensure
“Access to Opportunities through Teaching, Learning and Caring.” This requires excellence in all our
programs through alignment to state and national standards; explicit connections between research,
theory and practice; candidates’ acquisition of the knowledge, skills and dispositions of their
disciplines; detailed evaluation of our candidates’ continual professional growth; collaboration
among stakeholders; ongoing self-study; and an overriding commitment to fostering beliefs and
actions that promote education for all. Toward these ends, our Unit and programs focus on six
areas: leadership, professional knowledge, professional practice, educational environments, datainformed decision making, and professional growth to support the learning of all children in the
context of 21st century complexity and dynamic change.
Professional education programs at UNCG emphasize dispositions that drive application of the
knowledge base and we believe that we must model and monitor these dispositions as conscientiously
as we provide opportunities for building the knowledge base. Teachers should show evidence of
these dispositions in class:
 reflective
 self-efficacious
 ethical
 receptive to feedback
 inclusive
 affirming of diversity
 engaged in and committed to
 professionally responsible
professional practice
 collaborative
 dedicated to life-long learning
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Each student learning outcome is evaluated through the course requirement(s) identified after it.
Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to
 Identify and interpret variations in family configurations, roles, and childrearing practices in
different parts of the world. [HWK 2]
 Analyze historical, cultural, socioeconomic, political, religious, and demographic influences
on both the variations and the reasons for changes in family patterns and childrearing
practices. [HWK 1, 3]
 Demonstrate an understanding of the interconnections among regions of the world and how
these affect families and children. [HWK 1, 3]
 Examine how understanding families in different parts of the world informs our
understanding of families and childrearing practices in our society. [HWK 2, 3]
 Demonstrate sensitivity to cultural differences in families and children on a global scale.
[HWK 3]
TEACHING METHODS AND ASSIGNMENTS
The specific instructional methods and types of assignments to be used to facilitate student
achievement of the stated learning outcomes include the study of written (text, readings, course
documents) and audio-visuals (i.e., PPT, films, internet sources) and discussion board postings.
2
Course requirements include responses to discussion questions that focus on demographic
information, historical background, and family patterns in the following countries: China, Japan, India,
Russia, Turkey, Greece, Central African Republic, South Africa, and Kenya.
Exams will focus on information found in the assigned chapters, provided readings and other
documents, as well as media presentations. Dates for all exams and homework assignments are
identified on the schedule which follows.
1 -DISCUSSION BOARD
 For each country you will be given discussion questions to respond to that will utilize the
information you have gathered from print and visual materials (e.g., text, PowerPoint, videos,
slides). Discussion questions are posted on Blackboard under discussion board by country.
 Please note the discussion board guidelines in the syllabus folder on Blackboard.
 Posts to discussion questions will be worth 5 points each.
 Submit on Blackboard in Discussion Board.
2 -EXAMS
 There will be 6 exams. The first 3 exams will cover 2 countries each, and the three African
countries will each have an exam.
 Exams will consist of 30-40 multiple choice questions and cover information from the print
(e.g., readings, country summaries, course documents) and visual (videos, PowerPoint,
internet) materials.
 Information regarding preparation for taking exams online is posted in exams on Blackboard.
EVALUATION AND GRADING
These rubrics will be used to evaluate the discussion assignments.
Discussion Rubric
0
1
ORGANIZATION
CLARITY
Does not express opinions or
ideas clearly. Uses poor spelling
and grammar; posts appear
hurried.
Ideas are expressed in a clear and
concise manner. Posts are
grammatically correct with rare
misspellings.
RELEVANCE/
DEPTH OF
UNDERSTANDING
Little or unclear connection to
concepts/facts from materials;
little or no evidence of
understanding.
Obvious connection to materials.
Provides specific information and
conclusions are fully explained.
CRITICAL
THINKING
No new Ideas, thoughts, or
conclusions are presented.
Provides insight into the
materials.
X1
X2
X2
1 -DISCUSSION BOARD [RESPOND TO 10 ITEMS] Each post counts as 2.5% towards your total grade or 25%
for all 10 assignments.
2 –EXAMS [COMPLETE 4 EXAMS] The first 3 exams counts as 15% each toward final total grade and the last
3 exams count 10% each. All exams together count for 75% of your total grade.
Your final grade will be figure from the weighted scores as described above. For my rationale for
using weighted rather than running scores, please refer to an explanation in the syllabus folder on
Blackboard. Scores on assignments and exams will be posted on Blackboard where you can keep
track of your grade throughout the semester.
Grades are based on a 10-point scale (90-100% = A, 80-89% = B; 70-79% = C; 60-69% = D; below 60%
= F). Pluses (% ending in 7, 8, and 9) and minuses (% ending in 0, 1, and 2) will be assigned when
final grades are determined.
3
ADDITIONAL COURSE POLICIES
 ACADEMIC INTEGRITY is the pursuit of scholarly activity free from fraud and deception and is an
educational objective of this institution. Violating academic integrity is considered a serious
offense by the university and is treated accordingly. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not
limited to, cheating on exams, having unauthorized possession of exams, fabricating
information or citations, facilitating the academic dishonesty of others, and submitting the work
of another person as your own (plagiarism). Academic dishonesty may result in a failing grade
for the particular assignment or exam, a failing grade for the entire course, or suspension or
expulsion from the university.
For additional information, refer to UNCG Undergraduate Bulletin at
http://sa.uncg.edu/handbook/academic-integrity-policy/




QUESTIONS: If you have a question about class or an assignment, post it on the Q&A section of
the discussion forum on Blackboard. Check this forum before posting your question, and if you
need clarification on a question that has already been answered, reply to that post.
DUE DATES: Homework must be submitted on the due date for full credit. No make-up exams,
make-up homework, or extra credit will be given.
EMERGENCIES: If you have an emergency that interferes with your ability to complete the work in
this course, please let the instructor know immediately. My office, phone number, and email
address are listed above.
COMPUTER AND INTERNET ACCESS: You are expected to have a “Plan B” for computer or internet
access in case of computer or internet problems. Such problems will not change the “no late
assignments accepted” policy. UNCG's many computer labs or a local public library offer access.
Plan ahead! Complete assignments and exams early! Don't wait until a hour before a deadline
only to realize you have no internet access and the library is closed.
o
o
o
Mozilla Firefox must be used with Blackboard. Blackboard may not function properly with
other browsers such as Internet Explorer. See External Links in Blackboard, for the link to a
free download of Mozilla Firefox. Missing discussions, blogs, or problems with exams will
not be excused due to using the wrong browser. In other words, download Mozilla
Firefox and click to use that browser to go to the internet and log into Blackboard.
Note any issues and fixes announced on Blackboard’s login page. This is the responsibility of
each student. Work will not be excused or exams reset due to “I didn't know.” Be informed.
Technical problems must be reported to IT (Information Technology) for assistance.
Computer problems are the expertise of IT, see http://its.uncg.edu/ for contact information
(see External Links in Blackboard). Or, ask a computer lab technician at UNCG for assistance
with Blackboard, usernames, passwords, etc.
TOPICAL OUTLINE AND ASSIGNMENT SCHEDULE
The outline of readings and schedule of assignments with due dates are posted in 2 formats below.
The first gives specifics about which assignments are due when, and the second provides a calendar so
you can see how the assignments fall throughout the semester.
A couple of notes to help clarify the schedule:
 Due dates are in red on the first schedule.
 Abbreviations used for days of the week are as follows: M-Monday, T-Tuesday, W-Wednesday, RThursday, F-Friday, S-Saturday, Su-Sunday
 Assignments are due at 11pm on the due date.
 We will spend approximately one week per country, and there will be discussion board questions
for each country. Responses to discussion questions are due on Thursday (R) with replies on
Monday (M).
 The first 3 exams will each cover two countries and occur approximately 3 weeks apart. Exams
over the African countries will be about a week apart. Typically, exams are scheduled for the
weekends.
 If there are changes in the schedule, I will notify you in advance through announcements on
Blackboard and through email. Changes will be posted in the assignment schedule rather than
the syllabus.
4
ASSIGNMENT SCHEDULE
WEEK 1
INTRODUCTION
o Respond to PowerPoint: Families in Global Perspective—An Introduction [S 23Aug]
WEEK 2
CHINA
o Read CH4 The family in mainland China
o Review the "China Family" summary
o Review PowerPoint and video: China Context & Dong-Feng Preschool in China
o Post comments to discussion questions [F 29 & S 30Aug]
WEEK 3-4
JAPAN
o
o
o
o
o
Read CH5 The changing Japanese family
Review "Japan Family" summary
Review PowerPoint & video: Japan Context & Komatsudani Preschool in Japan
Post comments to discussion questions) [T 9 & W 10Sept]
Prepare for EXAM 1 (China & Japan)
WEEK 4
EXAM 1 (China & Japan) [R-F 11-12Sept]
WEEK 5
INDIA
o
o
o
o
Read CH6 Changing… family life in India
Review the "India Family" summary
Review video and PowerPoint: India & Indian Wedding
Post comments to discussion questions [S 20 & Su 21Sept]
WEEK 6-7
RUSSIA
o Read CH16 The Russian family
o Review the "Russia Family" summary
o Review PowerPoint (2): Russian History-Culture & Russian Family
o Post comments to discussion questions [M 29 & T 30Sept]
o Prepare for EXAM 2 (India & Russia)
WEEK 7
EXAM 2 (India & Russia) [W-R 1-2 Oct]
WEEK 8
TURKEY
o Read CH10 Contemporary Turkish families
o Review the "Turkey Family" summary
o Review print materials (attached) and PowerPoint, Turkish Culture, Cuisine, Children
o Post comments to discussion questions [F 10 & S 11Oct]
WEEK 9
FALL BREAK [12-14 OCT]
WEEK 9-10
GREECE
o Read CH12 Families in Greece
o Review the "Greece Families" summary
o Review print material and watch video, MY BIG FAT GREEK WDING
o Post comments on discussion questions [W 22 & R 23Oct]
o Prepare for Exam 3 (Turkey & Greece)
WEEK 10
EXAM 3 (Turkey & Greece) [F-S 24-25 Oct]
WEEK 11-12
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
o Review PowerPoint: Intro to Africa
o Read CH20 Families in Central African Republic and watch Efe Life video
o Answer questions on Africa Intro and Central African Republic [Su 2 & M 3Nov]
o Post comments to discussion questions
WEEK 12
EXAM 4 (Central African Republic) [T-W 4-5 Nov]
WEEK 12-13
SOUTH AFRICA
o Read CH21 Family life in South Africa
o Review SAfrica PowerPoint, SAfrica HIV-AIDS video, and the intro to Gandhi
o Answer questions on South Africa
o Post comments on discussion questions [R 13 & F 14Nov]
WEEK 13-14
EXAM 5 (South Africa) [S-Su 15-16 Nov]
WEEK 14-15
KENYA
o Read the article on Blackboard: "Luo Families in Kenya"
o Review PowerPoint (2): Kenya & Kenyan Families
o Answer questions on Kenya
o Post comments to discussion questions on African countries [M 24 & T 25 Oct]
5
WEEK 16
GHANA
o No reading assignment.
o Respond to PowerPoint: Ghana—2 Trips [M 1Dec] only one post
WEEK 16
EXAM 6 (Kenya & Ghana) [W-R 3-4 Dec]
ASSIGNMENT SCHEDULE CALENDAR
Key:
DISC Qs
Exams
Holidays
August
Su
WK1
WK2
24
WK3
31
M
T
W
R
F
S
18
19
20
22
23
25
26
27
28
China
29
30
China
M
T
W
R
F
S
1
2
3
4
5
6
12
13
21
Intro
Intro
September
Su
WK3
Labor Day
WK4
7
8
WK5
14
21
WK6
WK7
India
28
9
10
11
Japan
Japan
EX1
EX1
15
16
17
18
19
22
23
24
25
26
27
W
R
F
S
2
3
4
29
20
India
30
Russia
Russia
M
T
October
Su
WK7
WK8
WK9
1
5
12
EX2
EX2
6
7
8
9
13
15
16
Fall
Break
WK10
19
20
14
….
21
WK11
26
27
M
22
23
10
11
Turkey
Turkey
17
18
24
Greece
Greece
EX3
28
29
30
31
T
W
R
F
25
EX3
November
Su
WK11
WK12
WK13
WK14
WK15
WK16
S
1
2
3
4
5
CAR
CAR
EX4
EX4
9
10
11
12
16
17
18
19
25
26
EX5
23
24
Kenya
Kenya
M
T
Thanks-
6
13
7
14
8
15
S Africa
S Africa
EX5
20
21
22
28
giving
27
Holiday….
29
….
R
F
S
30
…
December
Su
WK16
1
Ghana
2
Reading Day
W
3
EX6
4
EX6