Main Content
Syllabus
ADTED 510 : Historical and Social Issues in Adult Education (3): Social and historical foundations of adult education in the United States and selected nations. Prerequisite: ADTED 460
Overview | Objectives | Materials | Technical Requirements | Course Requirements and Grading | Course Schedule | Academic Integrity | Policies
Overview
The purpose of this course is to critically examine adult education issues through social, political and historical lenses.
This is an advanced course which assumes experience in and knowledge of the field of adult education. In order to closely and deeply examine the issues facing the field, you need a sound grasp of the concepts and ideas of adult education. I strongly recommend that you have accumulated at least 12 credit hours in adult education before taking this course. You must have taken ADTED 460 before you take this course unless you have written permission of the instructor.
Course Format
Similar to your earlier courses in the program, this is a paced course, which means that there is an established start and end date, and you will interact with other students throughout the course. The required course materials consist of one required book, a set of readings available online, and a password-protected course Web site that contains the course content and communication tools, such as discussions, chat and e-mail system. Additional readings may be assigned during the course.
Our interactions will primarily be asynchronous. We'll use online discussions to exchange our thoughts; this will enable each of us to participate at a time of day that is convenient. You are expected to log on at least four times per week (not all in the same day) so that you can participate effectively in the course discussions. Note: Posting all of your messages on the same day does NOT count as discussion. Continuity and consistency are important elements of interpersonal dialogue.
This course is 16 weeks in length. There will be weekly activities and periodic writing assignments that you develop individually.
Discussions
Class work will be conducted via two types of information and discussion forums:
- Group Discussion Forums
Each lesson will include a whole-class discussion forum. You are required to conduct your discussions in whole-class discussion forum. If you have a specific question for me at any point, send that to me by e-mail so I can respond quickly.
- Student Lounge Discussion Forum
The Student Lounge discussion forum is a place to exchange ideas and ask questions about the course, or to chat with other classmates about anything related to the course or program. Consider it a break room or hallway outside your (virtual) classroom. Although I will pass through the "hallway" occasionally, I might not see all the "conversations" that take place there, so if you have a question that needs a personal response, please send me an e-mail.
Course Objectives
The overarching objectives of the course are:
- To develop a critical understanding of significant issues in adult education.
- To examine and critique your own personal assumptions, beliefs, and practices about adult education.
- To be able to articulate various perspectives (your own and others') on issues facing the field.
Required Course Materials
Most World Campus courses require that students purchase materials (e.g., textbooks, specific software, etc.). To learn about how to order materials, please see the Course Materials page. You should check LionPATH approximately 3–4 weeks before the course begins for a list of required materials.Library Resources
Many of the University Libraries resources can be utilized from a distance. Through the Libraries website, you can
- access magazine, journal, and newspaper articles online using library databases;
- borrow materials and have them delivered to your doorstep—or even your desktop;
- get research help via email, chat, or phone using the Ask a Librarian service; and
- much more.
You must have an active Penn State Access Account to take full advantage of the Libraries' resources and service. The Off-Campus Users page has additional information about these free services.
Technical Requirements
| Operating System | Canvas, Penn State's Learning Management System (LMS), supports most recent versions of Microsoft Windows and Apple Mac operating systems. To determine if your operating system is supported, please review Canvas' computer specifications. |
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| Browser | Canvas supports the last two versions of every major browser release. It is highly recommended that you update to the newest version of whatever browser you are using. Note: Cookies must be enabled, and pop-up blockers should be configured to permit new windows from Penn State websites. |
| Additional Canvas Requirements | For a list of software, hardware, and computer settings specifically required by the Canvas LMS, please review Canvas' computer specifications. |
| Additional Software | All Penn State students have access to Microsoft Office 365, including Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. |
| Hardware | Monitor: Monitor capable of at least 1024 x 768 resolution |
| Mobile Device (optional) | The Canvas mobile app is available for versions of iOS and Android. To determine if your device is capable of using the Canvas Mobile App, please review the Canvas Mobile App Requirements. |
Student Education Experience Questionnaire (SEEQ)
During the semester you will receive information for completing the Student Education Experience Questionnaire (SEEQ). Your participation is an opportunity to provide anonymous feedback on your learning experience. Your feedback is important because it allows us to understand your experience in this course and make changes to improve the learning experiences of future students. Please monitor email and course communications for links and availability dates.
If you need technical assistance at any point during the course, please contact the Service Desk.
For registration, advising, disability services, help with materials, exams, general problem solving, visit World Campus Student Services!
Course Requirements and Grading
Your final grade will be based on the following assignments and criteria:
Critiques
For each of your first two critiques (focusing on articles read during Lessons 3-7, respectively) you will respond to a set of questions introduced by Stephen Brookfield in his article "Storming the Citadel: Reading Theory Critically," which you will read in Lesson 2. For the third critique, you are asked to connect concepts from the readings in Lessons 8-10 to your own practice situation. The fourth critique is an "open" assignment for which you may choose the topic and focus relating to articles in Lessons 11-13. Each critique is worth 15% of your grade (a total of 60%).
Participation
You will discuss the readings, guided by the instructor's questions. The discussions you have with the classmates will help you sharpen your thinking before you write each critique. (While the class discussions will serve as the basis for your critiques, the critiques are individual assignments.) I will evaluate the QUALITY (not quantity) of your discussion for each of the four thematic units. By quality, I mean critical engagement with the material, a proactive approach to addressing questions raised, and working cooperatively with classmates. Although quantity is not the primary criterion, you're expected to engage in discussions with your classmates, which requires ongoing participation. (Posting all of your messages on one day or merely posting your own response to a discussion question, without engaging in at least some interactions with the classmates, is "monologue disguised as dialogue.") I will assess participation after Lesson 8 (10% of your overall grade) and Lesson 15 (10% of your overall grade). In preparation for my assessment you will submit a short (several sentences) self-assessment of your contributions to the discussions using the criteria found in the rubric. You should submit the self-assessment by the end of Lesson 7 and the end of Lesson 15.
Final Paper
Review the Writing Assignment Descriptions page found within the Getting Started module. The assignment requires an end-of-course analysis and reflection on your engagement and learning. Also, it should reflect the general impact of your classmates and other factors on your learning experience. This assignment is due at the end of Lesson 15.
Grading
The following table presents the points each course requirement is worth:
| Lesson |
Assignment | Assignment Description | % Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 1 |
Critique 1 | 15% |
| 7 |
2 |
Critique 2 | 15% |
| 10 |
3 |
Critique 3 | 15% |
| 13 | 4 | Critique 4 | 15% |
| 15 | 5 | Final Paper | 20% |
| 7 and 15 |
6 |
Participation and Self-Evaluation | 20% |
| Total: | 100% |
The following table presents the percentage scale that letter grades are based on. An A means exceeding expectations (outstanding, exemplary work that goes above and beyond the requirements); an A- to B+ means the assignment met expectations, with room for minor improvement; a B to B- means the assignment didn’t adequately address several criteria; and a C+ or below means the assignment did not meet expectations. Writing quality (a well-organized paper using clear, precise, jargon-free language) is also a component of evaluating written work.
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Grade
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Percentage
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|---|---|
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A |
95-100% |
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A- |
90-94% |
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B+ |
87-89% |
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B |
84-86% |
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B- |
80-83% |
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C+ |
77-79% |
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C |
70-76% |
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D |
60-69% |
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F |
Below 60% |
The grades of A, B, C, and D are assigned the following grade-point equivalents by Penn State (please note that a minimum grade point average of 3.00 for work done at the University is required for all graduate degrees).
Please refer to the University Grading Policy for Graduate Courses for additional information about University grading policies.
Assignments and course discussions all have a due date for submission to the course instructor. The due dates for each are noted in the Course Readings Guide section of this syllabus, below. Please make every effort to submit assignments on time or notify the instructor in advance of a late assignment. Late assignments will be penalized unless you have made prior arrangements with the instructor. Deadlines will be defined as 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the last day of the lesson timeframe, unless noted differently.
If you know you will be offline the day an assignment is due, please make sure to post it early. Anytime you feel that you might be falling behind in the course, it is best to contact the instructor to discuss your situation. No assignments can be accepted after 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the final day of class. If you have an assignment completed by the deadline but are unable to submit or post in the forum for technical reasons, contact the IT Service Desk. However, you must submit the assignment or forum once it becomes available to receive your grade and feedback for the assignment.
You will receive assignment grades and feedback privately within the specific assignment or discussion forum. You can always check your grades through the gradebook under the Grades link.
Finally, please keep a copy of ALL your work. We cannot assume responsibility for lost items.
Course Schedule
The schedule below outlines the topics we will be covering in this course, along with the associated time frames and assignments. Note that assignments are due based on Eastern Time (ET). This ensures that all students have the same deadlines regardless of where they live. All lesson assignments must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the last day of the timeframe indicated below for the lesson.
In addition to the topics and assignments, the following tables list out the required readings for each lesson. Please note, these readings may be links, specific chapters from your text, and/or e-Reserves from the library. To access e-Reserves, click the Library Resources link on the Canvas Navigation menu.- Course length: 16 weeks
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Academic Integrity
According to Penn State policy G-9: Academic Integrity , an academic integrity violation is “an intentional, unintentional, or attempted violation of course or assessment policies to gain an academic advantage or to advantage or disadvantage another student academically.” Unless your instructor tells you otherwise, you must complete all course work entirely on your own, using only sources that have been permitted by your instructor, and you may not assist other students with papers, quizzes, exams, or other assessments. If your instructor allows you to use ideas, images, or word phrases created by another person (e.g., from Course Hero or Chegg) or by generative technology, such as ChatGPT, you must identify their source. You may not submit false or fabricated information, use the same academic work for credit in multiple courses, or share instructional content. Students with questions about academic integrity should ask their instructor before submitting work.
Students facing allegations of academic misconduct may not drop/withdraw from the affected course unless they are cleared of wrongdoing (see G-9: Academic Integrity ). Attempted drops will be prevented or reversed, and students will be expected to complete course work and meet course deadlines. Students who are found responsible for academic integrity violations face academic outcomes, which can be severe, and put themselves at jeopardy for other outcomes which may include ineligibility for Dean’s List, pass/fail elections, and grade forgiveness. Students may also face consequences from their home/major program and/or The Schreyer Honors College.
How Academic Integrity Violations Are Handled
World Campus students are expected to act with civility and
personal integrity; respect other students' dignity, rights, and
property; and help create and maintain an environment in which all
can succeed through the fruits of their own efforts. An environment
of academic integrity is requisite to respect for oneself and
others, as well as a civil community.
In cases where academic integrity is questioned, the Policy on Academic Integrity indicates that procedure requires an instructor to inform the student of the allegation. Procedures allow a student to accept or contest a charge. If a student chooses to contest a charge, the case will then be managed by the respective college or campus Academic Integrity Committee. If that committee recommends an administrative sanction (Formal Warning, Conduct Probation, Suspension, Expulsion), the claim will be referred to the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response.
All Penn State colleges abide by this Penn State policy, but review procedures may vary by college when academic dishonesty is suspected. Information about Penn State's academic integrity policy and college review procedures is included in the information that students receive upon enrolling in a course. To obtain that information in advance of enrolling in a course, please contact us by going to the Contacts & Help page .
Course Policies
- Accommodating Disabilities
Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the University's educational programs. Every Penn State campus has resources for students with disabilities. The Student Disability Resources (SDR) website provides contacts for disability services at every Penn State campus. For further information, please visit the SDR website.
In order to apply for reasonable accommodations, you must contact the appropriate disability resources office at the campus where you are officially enrolled, participate in an intake interview, and provide documentation based on the documentation guidelines. If the documentation supports your request for reasonable accommodations, your campus's disability resources office will provide you with an accommodation letter. Please share this letter with your instructors and discuss the accommodations with them as early in your courses as possible. You must follow this process for every semester that you request accommodations.
- Procedures for Resolution of Problems
For procedures pertaining to a range of concerns and disagreements involving graduate students and other members of the University community (e.g, faculty, staff, or undergraduate student), please see the Procedures for Resolution of Problems (Appendix II) website.
- Additional Course Policies
For information about additional policies regarding Penn State Access Accounts; credit by examination; course tuition, fees, and refund schedules; and drops and withdrawals, please see the World Campus Student Center website.
Disclaimer: Please note that the specifics of this Course Syllabus are subject to change, and you will be responsible for abiding by any such changes. Your instructor will notify you of any changes.