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Course Facts   

This is a three credit-hour course listed under the Occupational Therapy Department of the College of Health Professions at Florida Gulf Coast University, as OTH 4932 Special Topics: Interdependent Community; Course Reference Number (CRN) 10950. (To view the online listing, click on Course Schedule in Gulfline, at http://gulfline.fgcu.edu.) There are no course prerequisites, but students should be able and willing to collaborate extensively within groups, which absolutely necessitates being computer literate and Internet connected; also, students must be willing to present publish their work (see below).

The course is presented through a partnership between the Colleges of Health Professions, Professional Studies and Business.  This partnership was spearheaded by The Center for Assisted Living Innovation, an institute within the Center for Leadership and Innovation at the College of Business.  The course design and content will draw upon faculty and staff from all three colleges, in addition to many other resources outside the University, including the Florida Department of Elder Affairs and other agencies.

Costs
In addition to Florida resident tuition of approximately $256 for this  course, first time non-degree students at FGCU will need to complete an application to the University for a fee of $20, and may be subject to other nominal fees (state employees may be eligible for tuition waivers). A parking permit is also required.

Course Description    (top)

In this course we will explore the ideal of the “interdependent community.” By this we mean a community that effectively leverages all of its resources, working in harmony, to meet the diverse and changing needs of all of its members. We will conduct this exploration from the perspective of two groups whose needs communities tend to struggle especially to satisfy: adults with disabilities, and elders. We will examine the roles of intergenerational integration, inclusion, volunteerism, faith-based organizations, and inter-agency collaboration, among other attributes of communities that “take care of their own,” and thereby outline a model of interdependence that can inform community health efforts in Southwest Florida and elsewhere. Among the resources we will use to develop this model is the Florida Department of Elder Affairs’ new master plan on aging, “Communities for a Lifetime” (see http://elderaffairs.state.fl.us).

We will first need to define our terms, including the assumptions and philosophies upon which they are based, and establish the primary categories of need that communities exist to meet. We will then determine appropriate indicators and benchmarks in these areas for our target groups, constructing a framework for assessing needs as well as for assessing the capacity and performance of service systems to meet those needs. We will employ these tools to evaluate needs and services across different communities, building and testing the validity of our model component by component. Finally, we will apply our principles of interdependence to address areas of need in our own communities, making specific recommendations and proposals via presentations at an April exposition-symposium attended by community leaders and representatives. (For more information on this event, visit www.cali-fgcu.org.)

Who Should Enroll   

This course is designed to expose people interested in improving the wellbeing of elders and/or adults with disabilities to a range of innovative approaches. From affordable housing to assistive services, from social networks to transportation options, from occupational opportunities to end-of-life care, we will examine the key variables involved in enabling full meaningful lives for everyone in a community, regardless of age, income, or disability. Professional as well as volunteer service and care providers, developers and administrators of facilities and programs for elders and people with disabilities, as well as their advocates will all benefit from a rich toolset upon which to draw to become more effective agents for change. Tools will include much practical information as well as the theoretical and philosophical foundations that underlie enduring solutions, such as the theory and practice of: systems thinking; needs assessment and gap analysis; resource appraisal and allocation; information and referral systems; collaboration; and community building.

How to Enroll   

Current students can register online via Gulfline.  For non degree seeking students, registration begins Monday, December 9, 2002. First time students must first submit an application (see http://enrollment.fgcu.edu/registration/non-deg.html). For more information, contact Peggy Raynor at the College of Health Professions, at praynor@fgcu.edu, (239) 590-7455.

Objectives, Grading, Policies   

Teaching Philosophy and Objectives.
The instructors believe in self-directed, self-motivated learning—learning grounded in theory but with immediate personal relevance, consequence and utility.  Hence this course is intended as a journey, with the students determining the destination in partnership with the instructors, as equal stakeholders in a mutual learning endeavor.  This course challenges students and instructors alike to apply our collective experiences, knowledge, research and problem solving skills to identify and integrate the various components of a comprehensive community health model for the elderly and adult disabled.  Through readings, discussion, research, guest lectures, and targeted group projects, we will work together to develop assessments, analyses, and proposals that will advance local community health practices.  It is hoped that each of will also come away better equipped personally to address the problems facing the people we care for and love; and will share this wisdom with others in our communities.

Specific course objectives will be developed along with assignments and grading policy as we draw closer to the start of the course.

Grading.
Grading will be based on the quality of individual and group products (reports, presentations, proposals), and on contribution to discussions.  Stay tuned for more details.

Policies.
Electronic Collaboration.  Students will be required to collaborate extensively, necessitating frequent communication outside of class that is best done primarily online (email, chat, postings).  This website will play a central role in organizing and managing this communication.  Students should thus be willing to work with others; they must share their contact information, and should have regular access to an Internet-connected PC loaded with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Student Presentations and Publishing.  Students must be willing to present their work in person, and in various media (e.g., online and hardcopy proposals) to stakeholders and decision makers.  Students are also required to submit a photograph at the beginning of the course that will be used to accompany these publications (it will also be included along with contact information in the student section of this website).

Other Policies and Guidelines.  Coming soon.

University Statements   

Academic Dishonesty/Cheating Policy:

"All students are expected to demonstrate honesty in their academic pursuits. The university policies regarding issues of honesty can be found under the 'Student Code of Conduct' on page 11, and under 'Policies and Procedures' on pages 18 - 24 of the Student Guidebook. All students are expected to study this document which outlines their responsibilities and consequences for violations of the policy."

Disability Accommodations Services:

Florida Gulf Coast University, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the university's guiding principles, will provide classroom and academic accommodation to students with documented disabilities. If you need to request accommodation in this class due to a disability, or you suspect that your academic performance is affected by a disability, please see me or contact the Office of Multi Access Services. The Office of Multi Access Services is located in the Student Services building, room 214. The phone number is 590-7925 or TTY 590-7930.