San Diego State University
General Studies 420: Disability and Society
Fall Term, 2004
Wednesday
4:00 p.m. to 6:40 p.m. GMCS333
Instructor:
Office location:
Office phone:
Office hours:
Web page:
Mendy McClure, M.A.
Assistant: Rita Roberson
Graduate Assistant: Gina Toriyama
Department of Special Education
North Education 70 (619) 594-6665
ED 107
594-1513 (voice mail for messages)
By Appointment
www-rohan.sdsu.edu/~gs420
Catalog Description of Course: This course will explore the range of human experience of
individuals with disabilities; attitudes toward persons with exceptionalities (including those who
may be gifted or have learning, mental, physical, or severe disabilities); interrelationship between
societal institutions and needs of persons with disabilities; and historical response to these needs
and contemporary issues with particular emphasis on normalization, integration, and community
living.
This is an upper division, three- unit course that meets undergraduate course work in
Explorations requirement, Section B-Social and Behavioral Sciences. This course is seen
as a valuable elective for students representing every university field of study.
Class Resources:
1. Schwartz, S. E., & Conley, C. A., 4th edition (2000). Human Diversity, A Guide for
Understanding. McGraw-Hill, Inc. College Custom Series. New York.
2. Kaye. Disability Rights Advocates. (2001). Disability Watch: The Status of People with
Disabilities in the United States, (Volume 2). Oakland: Author.
3. Optional Text: Karge, B. D. (1996). Human Diversity, Activities for Understanding.
McGraw-Hill, Inc. College Custom Series. New York.
4. All students are expected to purchase a Course Packet from Aztec Shops.
Course Goals:
1. Students will develop a high level of comfort to enable them to interact easily and
appropriately with persons with disabilities.
2. Students will learn about the causes, preventions, and therapies associated with disabilities, as
well as the medical, educational, emotional, psychological, and social implications of “being
different.”
3. Students will explore personal values, better understand their own “uniqueness” and
participate in activities designed to provide cultural, ethnic, and diversity awareness.
Methods of Instruction: Methods of teaching include minimal lectures, guest speakers, discussion,
and videos. In addition, awareness activities allow students to gain further understanding of
disabilities and the challenges they present to individuals. Students are expected to interact with
persons with special needs in the community as part of the course requirements.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
1. Class participation and attendance (32 points)
Students are expected to attend class - the entire time scheduled - and to participate in class
activities. There will be numerous in-class response papers to videos, guest speakers, and
activities that will be assigned points. In-class response papers will be accepted only on the
day assigned. Partial responses and late papers will not be accepted.
2. Student profile picture (5 points)
The General Studies 420 staff would like to get to know each student by name. All students must
complete a student profile to be entered into the grading program. If you choose to copy a
picture, it must be clear and your face must be identifiable to receive points. The picture will not
be returned, but will be attached to the student profile for staff reference.
3. Reading Reactions from Textbooks (7 responses at 4 points each for a total of 28 points)
Students are expected to read the assigned chapter/article prior to scheduled class sessions.
Reading assignments are clearly marked on the course outline. The writing prompts for the
textbook assignments are found following the chapter in the text, as well as in your packet.
Reaction papers from text may be handwritten only on the TEXT page which is then torn on the
perforated edge and submitted to instructor. If you do not use the text page from the book, the
assignment must be typed. NO XEROXED OR NOTEBOOK PAPER RESPONSES WILL
BE ACCEPTED! Please leave 1 inch margin for comments.
Schwartz Human Diversity: You will find all reading reaction response prompts located at
the end of each chapter assigned and in your course packet. The four points per
Reaction response are for the following elements: 1) Assignment turned in on time, 2)
Free from writing errors, 3) Answers the prompt appropriately, 4) Response includes one
reference (including page number) from the chapter assigned.
Disability Watch (DRA): Select one chapter from this text that you find interesting. Read over
the key points at the beginning of the chapter. Select four of the points – elaborate and
support with examples from the chapter. DO NOT PLAGIARIZE!!!! Summarize with
any questions that arise, and how the information might be used to determine policy and
change for people with disabilities.
4.Community Service Form #1 and Portfolio Project Plan (5 points)
These two forms found in the course packet will assist students in planning ahead and allow the
instructor to give feedback as to the appropriateness of the choices made. These forms must be
turned in on the date required. Both forms must be turned in to receive full credit. Late papers
will not receive any points.
5. Community Service Project (20 points)
Students will participate in activities to enhance the development of relationships with persons
with special needs. A total of 15 hours (approximately 1 hour per week) working with an
individual with a disability or volunteering at a school or agency will be required for this service
project. The Course Packet includes a list of placements. Students can choose a placement not
listed in the packet. This participation project will require a completed proposal form (Form #1)
and a final evaluation form (Form #2) - see Course Packet. Each placement (either individual or
agency) may be contacted for verification of completion. A typed summary of the experience
will be submitted with Form #2.
6. Disability Brochure (10 points)
Research a specific disability that is of interest to you. Design a brochure that features a definition
of the disability, characteristics, interventions, therapies, resources, and the impact of the
disability on the individual and society. Be creative!! References will be required. See Course
Packet for assignment requirements.
7. Special Project (15 points)
The Course Packet has instructions on completing the options listed below.
Students will choose one of the following options:
(a) Visit an agency that supports persons with disabilities.
(b) Read a book! Autobiographies and books written by people with disabilities are a great way
to discover new insights into various issues!
(c) Interview a person with a disability. Questions and suggestions for this assignment are
included in the course packet.
(d) Interview a professional that works with people with disabilities. Questions and suggestions
for this assignment are included in the course packet.
(e) Other Options: Submit a proposal: subject to approval. Attend an event that focuses on
people with disabilities or issues related to this class. Conferences, sporting events,
recreational activities, educational seminars, lectures, etc. are all possibilities. Research an
area that relates to your educational field of study. A proposal must be submitted and
approved.
8. Exams (40 points each – 80 points total)
There will be two exams. The content of the exams will be based on class activities, guest
speakers, lecture information, and reading assignments. Students must take both exams. Exams
will only be offered as scheduled. If for some reason you must miss the exam, please check with
the instructor for an appointment to take the “slightly more intense” replacement exam.
9. Article Report (5 points ) All students are expected to read and respond to one of the
following articles found in the “Assignments” section of your Course Packet entitled, “The
Beautiful Body or the Evil Body?” or “I Hate Tiny Tim.” Response directions: Remove the article
from the Course Packet. Read the article. Attach a one-page typed summary to this article and
turn in for credit. You summary should include a description of the article, your opinion of the
article, and how the article relates to any issues discussed in class. Please reread the expected
standards for this and all written assignments found in your syllabus.
10. Extra Credit Article Reports (10 extra credit points total)
Students will be allowed to complete 2 additional article reports worth 5 points each for a total of
10 extra credit points. Newspaper clippings, magazine articles, and articles off the internet
relating to disability and society may be used for extra credit. Articles must be turned in with
your name and SSN clearly marked and attached to some form of 8 ½ by 11 inch paper (notebook
paper is fine). A one page typed summary must be attached to the article for credit. The
summary should include a description of the article, your opinion, and how the article relates to
the issues discussed in class. Please identify the source and date of the article.
Internet address suggestions:
www.nichy.org
www.ragged-edge-mag.com
www.dralegal.org
www.mainstream-mag.com
www.wid.org
www.newmobility.com
www.aapd.com
SPECIAL NOTES
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An “incomplete” grade will not be authorized except for serious medical or personal
situations – see instructor.
Lectures given in this class are the property of the university/faculty member and may not be
taped with prior written permission from the professor and may not be used for any
commercial purpose. Students found to be in violation may be subject to discipline under the
University’s Student Conduct Code.
Please make arrangements with a classmate to get handouts and lecture information in case
you are absent.
One of the outstanding components of this particular course is the variety of guest
speakers and presenters. Coming in late, leaving early, talking during class, and
disruptions of any type (including cell phones) make it extremely difficult for presenters
to present and students to learn!! Please make every effort to cooperate and be
respectful at all times.
Feel free to contact Mendy McClure, Rita Roberson, or the Department of Special Education
if you have questions, concern, or suggestion for the course.
All students are expected to read syllabus and follow directions!
GRADING
The course grade will be determined as follows:
 In-class Participation
 Readings – Reaction Papers
 Forms #1 & Special Project Plan
 Community Service Project
 Special Project
 Disability Brochure
 2 exams (40 points each)
 Student Profile Picture
 Article Review
Total points possible
32 points
28 points
5 points
20 points
15 points
10 points
80 points
5 points
5 points
200 points
COURSE GRADING CRITERIA
The course grading criteria will be based on the standards set by San Diego State University and
The Department of Special Education. Per the Graduate Bulletin, grades will be assigned as
follows:
Grade of A (outstanding achievement; available only for the highest accomplishment; B
(praiseworthy performance; definitely above average); C (average; awarded for satisfactory performance);
D (minimally passing); F (failing); SP (satisfactory progress), not counted in the grade point average; AU
(audit), no credit earned and not counted in the grade point average; Cr (credit), signifying units earned,
but not counted in the grade point average; NC (no credit), no credit earned and not counted n the grade
point average; I (authorized incomplete), no credit earned and not counted in the grade point average until
one calendar year has expired at which time it will count as an “F” for grade point average computation; U
(unauthorized incomplete), counted as “F” for grade point average computation.
The instructor’s standards are as follows:
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All assignments will be turned in on the due date. Late papers will be penalized for each
class day following the date. Reading Reactions will be penalized 1 point, and assignments
will be penalized 2 points for each class session following due date. Assignments will not be
accepted after one week following the due date unless prior arrangements with instructor
have been made. Any assignments that do not follow the instructions given will be returned,
be considered “late” (resulting in loss of points), and will have to be redone by the next class
session for credit.
All assignments will be neatly typed (except for text pages for reading reflections and inclass responses that may be handwritten).
Assignments are expected to be well-written and free from spelling and punctuation
errors. Points will be deducted for writing errors.
Assignments will receive points based on quality and quantity of response, as well as
appropriateness of content.
Special arrangements can be made to have instructor review assignment and give feedback, if
necessary, prior to assignment due date.
Extra credit is built into the course to provide opportunities to make up lost points due to
unseen circumstances.
Integrity and honesty are expected from all students. There is no tolerance for
behaviors such as cheating, lying, plagiarizing, or manipulating any GS 420 staff
member. Students who commit such behaviors risk dismissal from the class with a
failing grade, and most importantly, the disapproval and disappointment from the GS
420 team.
Points will be converted to percentages and letter grades as follows:
Points
Percentages
Grade
188-200
94-100%
A
180-187
90-93.9%
A174-179
87-89.9%
B+
168-173
84-86.9%
B
160-167
80-83.9%
B154-159
77-79.9%
C+
148-153
74-76.9%
C
140-147
70-73.9%
C134-139
67-69.9%
D+
128-133
64-66.9%
D
120-127
60-63.9%
D119 or below
0-59.9%
F
Course Liability Statement
This course requires students to participate in field trips, research, or studies that include course
work that will be performed off campus. Participation in such activities may result in accidents
or personal injury. Students participating in the event are aware of these risks, and agree to hold
harmless San Diego State University, the state of California, the Trustees of the California State
University and Colleges, and its officers, employees, and agents against all claims, demands,
suits, judgments, expenses and costs of any kind on account of their participation in the activities.
Students using their own vehicles to transport other students to such activities should have current
automobile insurance.