Social Studies Department

Essential Knowledge and Skills

Students in human relations will apply psychological theories to their own interactions with other people and to their understanding and management of themselves. Students will assess their own personality types and identify strengths and weaknesses in their own personalities and those of others. Students will assess and improve their ability to identify and manage their feelings. They will assess and improve their listening skills. Students will evaluate their own and others conflict styles and will practice assertive communication and constructive conflict resolution. Students will learn basic principles of family systems theory and explore how to use them to improve their own close relationships. Students will learn basic sociological principles that they can apply to understanding people of diverse cultures and backgrounds.

Indicators of Student Learning

Upon the completion of this course, students will:

Communication

• Use writing to effectively communicate their ideas about the topic of human relations.

• Present information orally, alone and with peers, to the class about the topic of human relations.

• Critically read material related to human relations.

In the area of self-understanding and management;

• Identify strengths and weaknesses in their own personalities.

• Understand the relationship between thoughts (self talk), feelings, and behavior.

• Identify strategies for managing fear, anger, and grief, while understanding the value of these unpleasant emotions.

In the area of interactions with other people;

• Demonstrate appreciation for individual differences.

• Identify listening blocks in themselves and others.

• Identify and use strategies for improving their own listening behavior.

• Identify the four typical styles of responding to conflict.

• Construct a four-part assertive message.

• Identify typical barriers to conflict resolution.

• Identify and use a number of strategies to improve their own conflict resolution.

• Name and define basic principles of family systems theory.

• Identify characteristics of unhealthy relationships.

• Identify characteristics of healthy relationships.

• Set a realistic goal for improving a close relationship through their own behavior change.

• Talk about cultural differences without stereotyping, defensiveness, or fear of giving offense.

• Demonstrate respect for others’ culture and life experience.

Technology

• Use the Internet to access information about self-understanding and human relations.

• Use email communication with the teacher to improve efficiency in routine communication.

• Use appropriate technology to assist in teaching a lesson to the class.

Assessment

Upon the completion of this course, students will:

• Demonstrate improvement (from the pretest) on an objective test of knowledge and attitudes taught in the class.

• Demonstrate competency in self-understanding and management by listing personal strengths and weakness, outlining strategies for managing unpleasant feelings, and identifying listening blocks and conflict style.

• Demonstrate competency in interactions with other people by identifying personality types, demonstrating reflective listening, constructing assertive messages, identifying conflict resolution barriers, using conflict resolution tools, defining principles of family dynamics, listing characteristics of healthy and unhealthy relationships, setting a goal for improving a personal relationship, and defining concepts of intercultural understanding.

• Demonstrate competency in communication by writing two simple but well-constructed papers, writing daily informal reflections, and, with a group, presenting an effective lesson to the class.

• Demonstrate competency in technology by using the Internet to access information about self-understanding and human relations, using email to communicate with the teacher, and using appropriate technology to present a lesson to the class.