Module 3: Activity Squares
Here is the Activity Square for this module. Each square contains a different type of assignment. There are 9 different types of assignments you can choose from. A description of each assignment type is written inside each square.
Every week you will complete 3 different activities from the Activity Square. The middle square is a required assignment and must be done every week, but the other two assignments are up to you. You can choose any of the other 8 assignment types. For example, in module 1, you would do the required activity, then you might choose to do the Do and Journal activities. The next week, you might choose two different activities along with the required activity.
Please choose different activities throughout the semester so you have a chance to try all of them. Remember, you ONLY need to do 3 of the activities each week (1 of which is the required square).
Every week the Activity Square will look a little different. Always check the weekly Activity Square and read the instructions carefully so you can get full credit for each assignment.
How to turn in Activity Square assignments
Every module will have 2 assignments posted: Activity Square Assignment #1 and Activity Square Assignment #2. Both submissions are required. It doesn’t matter which number goes with which assignment. Just make sure you submit both assignments every week on Canvas so you can get credit. If you are unsure of what to submit for a specific Activity Square assignment, contact your instructor. In addition to these two posted assignments, your third required assignment (often a quiz) will be posted in the module as well.
IMPORTANT! How to submit Discussion assignments
If you choose Discuss for one of your Activity Square assignments, after participating in the discussion board on Canvas, submit a screen shot of your post under Assignment 1 or 2. DO NOT LEAVE THE ASSIGNMENT BLANK. If you don’t turn in this screenshot you will not get credit for your discussion post.
WatchWatch this video: Paid Leave in the U.S. vs the World.
Links to an external site. Reflect on the fact that there are only 8 countries that don’t provide paid leave: Papua New Guinea, Suriname, Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Tonga, and the United States of America. What are your feelings on this? Do you think paid leave is an attainable policy in the U.S.? Why or why not? Explain in a written entry what you learned from watching the video and how it helped you better understand leave policies in America and globally. How does this connect to what else you have learned in this module? Cite at least one example using APA. Submit your explanation (150 - 250 words) to Canvas
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DiscussSkim these two articles: The U.S. is the Most Overworked Developed Nation in the World Links to an external site. and Despite Higher Wages, Inflation Gave the Average Worker a 2.4% Pay Cut Last Year Links to an external site.. Discuss how families must find ways to balance work and family. What are your thoughts on these issues? What recent policy debates do you know of have explored these issues (e.g., proposing a 4 day work week, increasing minimum wage, etc.)? What policy changes would you like to see? Post an initial response (150 words) to the discussion and reply to at least 2 others. Submit a a screen shot of your discussion post and responses. |
ReadRead: Diverging Destinies: How Children are Faring Under the Second Demographic Transition Links to an external site. (requires UVU Library login) Summarize the main point of the statement in your words. Respond: What do you think about this idea of 'diverging destinies' and McLanahan’s call for policies that will help ameliorate the disparities between rich and poor children? How does this connect to what else you’ve learned this module? Provide at least one example. Submit your summary and reaction (total 250 words) |
RecordConsider what you learned in this module about the bidirectional connections between families and society. Now, imagine you have been asked to convince a group of policymakers that public investment in families is economical for the youngest and oldest members of society. Record a short (3 - 5 minute) video or podcast that discusses what evidence and examples you use to inform policymakers? Submit your video or podcast to Canvas. This Resources + Tutorials for Recording Videos and Podcasts page on Canvas might be helpful! |
(REQUIRED) This is a required assignment must be completed. |
SearchResearch: Search for information on the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). If you are employed, are you eligible for FMLA through your employer? How do you know? Does your employer provide any additional leave benefits? What is provided and what are the eligibility requirements? If you aren’t employed, look up the benefits at UVU and describe those. Cite at least two sources using APA. Submit your response, your sources, how you found your answer and what you learned. (250 words) |
MakeUse the medium of your choice (visual, music, poetry, etc.) to make an artistic representation of the balance between valuing individualism and valuing marriage in the United States. Do you view these values as competing? Why or why not? Explain in a written entry how your art represents your answer. How does this connect to what else you’ve learned this module? Cite at least one example using APA. Submit a picture or video of your artwork and a short explanation of your work (150 - 250 words). |
JournalReflect on your understanding of childcare, paid leave, and other family friendly policies in the United States and globally. Write a journal entry about if you believe the United States lags behind other countries in implementing family friendly policies and why. Explain your answer. Submit your journal entry (250 - 500 words). |
ShareMake and Share (share on social media or with a personal contact) a meme, infographic, or other engaging post about the following prompt: What is something interesting that you learned from the Guest Speaker Video about Family Policy in Sweden? Why do you think Nordic countries have so many supportive policies for families? What enables those countries to do that? Explain in a written entry what you chose to show in your post and why. How does this connect to what else you’ve learned this module? Cite at least one example using APA. Submit your post material and a short explanation of your choices (150 - 250 words) |
