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College of Letters and Science Faculty Document No. 718
October 13, 2005
Recommendation of the Ad Hoc Childhood and Adolescence Studies Committee and the L&S Academic Program and Curriculum Committee to Establish and Undergraduate Certificate in Childhood and Adolescence
Recommendation:
That the L&S Faculty recommend to the Dean approval of the recommendation to establish an undergraduate Certificate in Childhood and Adolescence Studies as outlined below.
Rationale:
See Section II below.
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- PROGRAM IDENTIFICATION
| 1.1 |
Title of Proposed Program
Certificate Program in Childhood and Adolescence Studies (CAS)
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| 1.2 |
Program Administration
This is an interdisciplinary undergraduate certificate program administered by the Coordinator of the Certificate Program in Childhood and Adolescence Studies and overseen by the Advisory Committee for the Certificate Program in Childhood and Adolescence Studies.
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| 1.3 |
College(s), School(s), or Functional Equivalent(s)
College of Letters and Science
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| 1.4 |
Timetable for Initiation
Semester I (Fall), 2005-2006
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- RATIONALE
An undergraduate certificate in Childhood and Adolescence Studies (CAS) housed in the College of Letters and Science will provide students with academic inquiry into:
- the lives and unique perspectives of children and adolescents;
- how children and adolescents make meaning of their environments and experiences;
- social scientific research and theories on children and adolescents;
- children and adolescents as a structural category that both affects and is affected by other institutions in society, such as culture, religion, politics, economics, and education;
- children and adolescents in the contexts of family, schools, and community;
- children and adolescents in their unique peer cultures;
- the impact of race, class, gender, and sexuality on the lives of children and adolescents;
- the developmental and cognitive stages of childhood and adolescence; and
- the history of childhood and adolescence.
Courses in the certificate will train students to understand children and adolescents from an academic and research perspective, examining children and adolescents both as they are embedded in larger society and culture and as they produce and create their own cultures. CAS, as an interdisciplinary program, will prepare students for the complexity of understanding children and their social worlds, including their interactions with peers, family, schools, and community. Children and adolescents have their own unique peer cultures and their own perspectives on the world. The same social institutions, such as politics, economics, religion, education and family, affect both children and adults, yet in very different ways. Children under age 16 are required to attend school, and those under age 18 are considered minors and are subject to the rules of their parents or guardians. Additionally, children and adolescents have a special relationship to work (as it relates to school), politics (because they have no vote), and other structures of society.
Research in the social sciences has uncovered significant findings about children's and adolescents' perspectives and experiences in the last twenty years. But, unlike programs on aging and the elderly (particularly at UWM) that are responding to new research and efforts to understand this population, most colleges and universities have not generated a programmatic emphasis on children and adolescents. As students progress through their liberal arts education at UWM, they do not have an opportunity to programmatically learn about and be trained in the current research in children and adolescent studies. Creation of the CAS Certificate would be a significant step toward addressing this concern.
Students enrolled in the Childhood and Adolescence Studies Certificate would be able to take knowledge about this group into their work careers. Students would better understand children and adolescents in the worlds around them, make more informed community decisions, and work with children and adolescents in a more informed context within their families, jobs, and in community youth programs, such as athletics. The CAS program can help give children and adolescents a voice and assist both students and researchers in valuing the lives of children and adolescents.
The proposed Childhood and Adolescence Studies Certificate is an academic, interdisciplinary program built around a core of liberal arts courses that will ground students in current, up-to-date research and theory on children and adolescents. Students interested in the program might be seeking careers at non-profit organizations, health centers, research institutes, schools, government establishments, or human resources divisions. Students also may be interested pursuing a specialty that will enhance their applications to graduate schools.
Currently, students in L&S and other colleges at UWM have no way of specializing in youth and youth studies from an academic perspective. The Youth Work Learning Center in the UWM School of Continuing Education offers a certificate in Youth Work focused on the practice of working with children, primarily adolescents. This program develops case and research-based best practice approaches to dealing with at-risk youths, mostly adolescents, rather than encompassing a more general approach to all children and adolescents. Professor Mark Krueger, director of the Youth Work Learning Center, is enthusiastic about the development of an academic, youth-oriented certificate program in L&S. The programs are complementary, each focusing on a different aspect of youth. Students may be interested in earning both certificates to become familiar with research and practical aspects of issues unique to children and adolescents.
A number of courses that focus on children already are offered at UWM. A growing interest in academic and research approaches to children's issues is indicated by enrollment waiting lists and an increasing number of sections of courses about children and adolescents, particularly Sociol 246 (Juvenile Delinquency) and 448 (Sociology of Children and Adolescents). A certificate program would allow students to develop proficiency in childhood and adolescence studies while they complete the requirements of a traditional academic major. The certificate would complement work in liberal arts disciplines, such as sociology, psychology, and history, as well as professional programs in criminal justice, health sciences, nursing, and social welfare. The Childhood and Adolescence Studies Certificate is not designed for educators or social workers, although some courses from these academic units would be approved for the certificate.
In partnership with the Youth Work Learning Center, a Childhood and Adolescence Studies Certificate Program would facilitate collaboration between the many faculty and academic staff members who already have expressed an interest in the study of children and adolescents. Currently, there is little opportunity for researchers in childhood and adolescence studies to connect as do those interested in gender studies who gather at Women's Studies functions. The CAS Certificate Program would forge additional ties to community agencies that work with children and adolescents, increasing research collaborations between UWM and these agencies. Such collaborations strengthen both teaching quality and research productivity, and enhance community service. A core group of faculty members in several departments has expressed interest in teaching courses to support the certificate (see section V for detail).
- PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
3.1 Program Overview
A Childhood and Adolescence Studies Certificate Program (CAS) will provide undergraduate students with a multidisciplinary opportunity to focus on children and adolescents through course offerings in the social sciences, humanities, health sciences, social work, and education. However, approved courses toward the certificate will not be limited to these disciplines. A wide spectrum of courses will allow students to understand children and adolescents from a variety of perspectives facilitating the implementation of effective strategies to improve and enrich the lives of children and adolescents. To broaden both the course availability and interdisciplinarity of the certificate, students must elect at least one course outside the College of Letters and Science.
3.2 Eligibility
The Childhood and Adolescence Studies Certificate is intended to enhance a bachelor's degree. The Program is open to all students seeking a bachelor's degree from UWM and to students who previously have received a bachelor's degree from UWM or any other accredited college or university.
3.3 Program Requirements (see also attached grid)
To obtain the certificate, the student must complete, with a minimum grade point average of 2.50, at least 18 credits in approved childhood and adolescence studies courses as follows. Courses for the certificate may not be taken on a credit/no credit basis.
- Two core courses are required:
- Psych 260, Child Psychology, 3 cr
- Sociol 448, Sociology of Children and Adolescents, 3 cr
Twelve additional credits must be selected from the list of approved courses. Students may petition the CAS advisor committee for approval of appropriate courses not on the approved list.
- Twelve of the 18 required credits must be earned in residence at UWM. Of these twelve residence credits, nine must be taken at the 300 level or above.
- Of the 18 required credits, 12 must be in the College of Letters and Science, with at least six of these at the 300 level or above. Three credits must be elected from outside the College of Letters and Science. No more than nine credits from any one department may count toward the Childhood and Adolescence Studies Certificate.
- A maximum of six credits in Independent Study may count toward program requirements.
3.4. List of Approved Courses
Letters and Science - at least 6 credits are required
Africol 451, Rites of Passage in Black Societies
Anthro 443, The Child in Different Cultures
Psych 560, Developmental Theories
Psych 660, Experimental Child Psychology
Sociol 246, Juvenile Delinquency
Sociol 248, Sociology of Education
Non-L&S Courses - at least 3 credits are required
ComSDis 240, Normal Speech and Language Development
Crm Jst 671, Juvenile Justice
EdPol 181, Introduction to Childcare
EdPol 182, The Child in the Child Care Community
EdPol 534, Students at Risk
Ed Pol 580, An Overview of Child/Youth Care (jointly offered with ExecEdu 580 & Soc Wrk 580)
Ed Pol 581, Youth Work Practice (jointly offered with ExecEdu 581 & Soc Wrk 581)
Ed Psy 330, Introduction to Learning and Development
Ed Psy 640, Human Development: Theory and Research
ExecEdu 580, An Overview of Child/Youth Care (jointly offered with Ed Psych 580 & Soc Wrk 580)
ExecEdu 581, Youth Work Practice (jointly offered with Ed Psych 581 & Soc Wrk 581)
HCA 203, Human Life Cycle
L&I Sci 648, Library Materials for Children
L&I Sci 658, Library Materials for Young Adults
Nursing 203, Human Growth and Development Across the Life Span
Soc Wrk 562, Child and Family Services
Soc Wrk 580, An Overview of Child/Youth Care (jointly offered with Ed Psych 580 & ExecEdu 580)
Soc Wrk 581, Youth Work Practice (jointly offered with Ed Psych 581 & ExecEdu 581)
Independent study courses focusing on children and adolescents may be accepted with the approval of the Certificate Program Committee. If a core course is not offered in the years an undergraduate student is pursuing the certificate, the student can petition the Certificate Program Committee to accept another course in its stead. Other courses not on this list but relevant to the study of children and adolescents may be accepted with the approval of the Certificate Program Committee.
Credits earned at other institutions equivalent to courses in the certificate program may be accepted in partial fulfillment of the program requirements, subject to review by the Certificate Program Committee. Students currently enrolled at UWM who have fulfilled some of the program's requirements prior to the program's approval may have their credits applied retroactively to the certificate program
3.5 Awarding the Certificate
Students currently involved in baccalaureate studies who successfully complete the requirements of the program will be awarded the certificate at the time of graduation. Students who already have a bachelor's degree will receive the certificate upon completion of the program requirements.
3.6 Budgetary Needs
There are no costs associated with this certificate as it utilizes existing courses and faculty.
- PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION
The College of Letters and Science will house the Childhood and Adolescence Studies Certificate. The CAS will be administered by an Advisory Committee and a Program Coordinator. The Advisory Committee is composed of six members, including five UWM faculty/staff members with a scholarly interest in the area of Childhood and Adolescence Studies and one student enrolled in the certificate program. At least three of these individuals must be faculty members. A quorum of the Committee is defined as three of the faculty/staff members. All faculty/staff committee members are appointed to three-year staggered terms by the Dean of the College of Letters and Science in consultation with the program coordinator. The student is appointed annually by the Dean of L&S in consultation with the program coordinator. The Childhood and Adolescence Studies Certificate Advisory Committee will reflect this certificate's interdisciplinary approach to the study of children. No more than two committee members from any one department may serve on the committee in any given year.
The committee will be responsible for curriculum development and review, student admission, awarding of certificates, and overseeing the work of the coordinator. The Program Coordinator, who will serve as an ex-officio member of the advisory committee, will be responsible for student advising and the day-to-day administration of the program.
According to L&S guidelines on the "Establishment of Undergraduate Certificate Programs in the College of Letters and Science," "the committee advises the program coordinator and the Dean concerning the program requirements. The committee is responsible for developing a list of existing courses that students may count toward the certificate. It may recommend additions to or deletions from the list of approved courses for the certificate. In addition, it may authorize students to count appropriate ad hoc and variable content course topics toward the certificate. The coordinator is responsible each semester for communicating the list of approved ad hoc/variable content courses to the College Office."
The guidelines also state, "Students electing a certificate program must meet with the coordinator to plan a program of study, and they must complete a 'Declaration of Certificate Program' that is forwarded to the Office of the Assistant [now 'Associate'] Dean for Student Academic Services for approval. The Student Academic Services area of the College office maintains records of students' certificate programs, verifies completion of certificate requirements, and issues certificates. Certificates are recorded on students' transcripts."
- UWM Faculty and Staff Members Who Have an Interest in Children and Adolescents-Related Studies
Joe Austin, Assistant Professor, History
Mary Jo Baisch, Clinical Assistant Professor, Nursing
Joanne Barndt, Clinical Assistant Professor, Social Work
David J. Cipriano, Lecturer, Psychology
Roberta L. Corrigan, Professor, Educational Psychology
Mary Ann Czarnezki, Senior Lecturer, Sociology
W. Hobart Davies, Associate Professor, Psychology
Pamela Fendt, Administrative Program, Center for Economic Development, Specialist/Policy Analyst
Laura Fingerson, Assistant Professor, Sociology
Cynthia Hasbrook, Professor, Human Movement Science
Michael T. Hynan, Professor, Psychology
Bonita Klein-Tasman (Bonnie), Assistant Professor, Psychology
Mark Krueger, Professor, Youth Work Learning Center
Susie Lamborn, Associate Professor, Educational Psychology
Mary Elizabeth McLean, Professor, Exceptional Education
Steve McMurtry, Professor, Social Work
Wanda Montgomery, Associate Lecturer, Educational Policy and Community Studies
Carol Ott, Assistant Professor Nursing
Richard Passman, Professor, Psychology
Mary E. Pick, Faculty Associate, Child and Youth Care Learning Center
Diane Pollard, Professor, Educational Psychology
Lois Quinn, Senior Research Scientist, Employment and Training Institute
Robyn Ridley, Associate Professor, Psychology
Susan J. Rose, Associate Professor, Social Welfare
Erika Sander, Associate Professor, Human Movement Science
Sherri Sieff, Clinical Associate Professor, Communication Sciences & Disorders
Geoffrey Skoll, Senior Lecturer, Criminal Justice
Nancy Smuckler Lecturer, Academic Opportunity Center
Martin Urbina, Assistant Professor Criminal Justice
Quinn E. Wilder, Outreach Specialist, Child and Youth Care Learning Center
Submitted by:
Ad Hoc Advisory Committee on childhood and Adolescense Studies
Joe Austin, Assistant Professor, Department of History
Mary Ann Czarnezki, Senior Lecturer, Department of Sociology
W. Hobart Davies, Associate Professor, Department of Psychology
Laura Fingerson, Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology
Richard Passman, Professor, Department of Psychology
Childhood and Adolescense Studies Worksheet ( Word, PDF )
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