Credit: 1-Quarter Hours
Clock Hours: 10 Contact Hours

Course Description

Bullying is a pervasive problem in our schools. Schools that ignore bullying behaviors silently condone them. So, whats a school to do? In this interactive workshop, explore the issues of school bullying and violence. Discover what effects exposure to violence and bullying have on the developing brain. Find out how these effects shape students abilities to learn academically and socially. Learn about the all-important role of bystanders in the bullying dynamic. Explore strategies schools can uses to mitigate the effects of bullying and violence and how they can help the bullies, victims and bystanders.

Course Objectives

Become familiar with the scope of the problem of bullying in our schools.

Identify the possible causes of bullying behavior among students.

Become familiar with the effects of exposure to violence on the developing brain.

Identify the school, social and environmental factors that promote or discourage bullying behavior.

Identify the role bystanders play in the bullying dynamic.

Identify strategies schools can uses to mitigate the effects of bullying and violence.

Identify strategies to help the bullies, victims and bystanders.

Student Expectations

Attend all class sessions.

Actively participate in class discussions and activities.

Complete a written assignment by designated completion date.

Level of Application

This course focuses on application and implementation levels.

Target Audience

Teachers, classroom assistants, counselors, administrators, club and activity advisors of preschool through secondary students as well as parents, and community members, law enforcement officers, and everyone who works with children.

Methods of Instruction

During this course, the instructors methods of instruction will include lecture, large and small group activities, brainstorming, video presentations and/or participant presentations.

Grading Criteria

All participants must complete a written assignment to receive college credit. This course if offered for a letter grade. The following requirements are grading guidelines:

60% In-class activities

15% Class participation

25% Written assignment completed outside of class

Texts and Required Learning Materials

Participants will receive required text and materials the first class session.

Plans for Transferring Skills into the Work Setting

Methods for encouraging the transfer of newly acquired skills into the work setting will include discussion and problem solving groups; reading; sharing of successful strategies in class, and practicing new skills during the workshop.

Suggested Bibliography & Video References

Participants will receive a complete bibliography, print and Internet. Additional resources will be distributed in class, as appropriate.

Assignment Options

Outline a plan to help one child learn to reduce his/her bullying behavior.

Outline a plan to help one child reduce his/her victimization.

Outline a plan to empower bystanders within your school.

Do further research regarding the effects of violence on the developing brains.

Design a short presentation to share this information with your peers or with parents.

Review the social skills, anti-violence, bully-reducing curriculums currently taught at your work site. How effective are they? How could they be improved?

Surf the net and review the anti-bullying resources available.

Create a pro-social skills/anti-bullying bibliography appropriate for your grade level.

Create an assignment that meets your specific needs and/or interests. Check with the instructor.