Course Outline of Record

Item	Value
Eff Term	Fall 2026
Curriculum Committee Approval Date	10/17/2025
Top Code	493013 - Academic Guidance
Units	3 Total Units (Lecture Units 3)
Hours	54 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 54)
Total Outside of Class Hours	108
Total Student Learning Hours	162
Course Credit Status	Credit: Degree Applicable (D)
Material Fee	No
Basic Skills	Not Basic Skills (N)
Repeatable	No
Open Entry/Open Exit	No
Grading Policy	Standard Letter (S),  Pass/No Pass (B)
Local General Education (GE)	Area 7E Lifelong Understanding and Self-Development (GE)

Course Description

This course examines the formation and identity development through a lens of student development and personal growth. Major emphases of study will be on identity development, theoretical foundations of self and others, motivation, self-regulation, inequality, social belonging, and human agency. Concepts drawn from counseling and educational psychology, collective and cross-cultural contexts, and a sense of belonging within higher educational and social structures. Transfer Credit: CSU.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

1. Assess self-concepts to formulate a personal identity.
2. Analyze differences between self-concept and self-identity in a social context.
3. Formulate cognitive and behavioral aspects of self to develop a positive mindset.

Course Objectives

• 1. Analyze theoretical frameworks for developing an identity status.
• 2. Examine self-concept and self-esteem to improve academic success.
• 3. Evaluate methods of motivation and self-regulation to improve resilience.
• 4. Construct a comprehensive self-identity using central concepts from the course.

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Lecture Content

1. Aspects of identity
   1. Erikson's theory of psychosocial development
   2. Marcia's Ego Identity Status
   3. Tajfel's theory of Social Identity
   4. Chickering's Theory of Identity Development
   5. Phinney's Model of Ethnic Identity
   6. Renn's Econological Theory of Mixed Race Identity
   7. Baxter-Magolda's Model of Epistemological Reflection
2. Collective, cross-cultural and societal contexts to identity
   1. Yosso's Cultural Community Wealth model
   2. Self-categorization theory
   3. The need to belong
3. Self-concept
   1. Schemas
   2. Actual self, ideal self, and ought self
   3. Personal discrepancies
4. Self-esteem
   1. Rogers' humanistic theory of personality
   2. Temperament styles
   3. Parenting style
5. Motivational theories
   1. Humanistic theories, Maslow's hierarchy of needs
   2. Behavioral theories and extrinsic motivation
   3. Cognitive theories and intrinsic motivation
6. Self-regulation
   1. Cognitive restructuring
   2. Values clarification
   3. Kohlberg's theory of moral development
   4. Learning and education as cultural values
7. Agents of socialization
   1. Bronfenbrenner's ecological theory
   2. Relationships with self and others
   3. Role of educational institutions
8. Constructing a student identity
   1. Emotional intelligence
   2. Multiple intelligences
   3. Yosso's cultural wealth model
   4. Intercultural communication
9. Forging a new identity
   1. Meaning-making
   2. Self Authorship (Baxter Magolda)
   3. Human agency

Method(s) of Instruction

• Lecture (02)
• DE Online Lecture (02X)

Instructional Techniques

-

Reading Assignments

Students will read from assigned textbook, handouts, and online content.

Writing Assignments

Students will reflect critical thinking skills in written assignments which may include an autobiography, written reports, guided journal entries reflecting on discovery and intention statements, short answer exercises and exams. Each student will identify problems or obstacles that hinder their academic success and identify and explain techniques, skills, or resources that can be used to solve these issues.

Out-of-class Assignments

Students will complete out of class assignments. Assignments will include a variety of reflections, worksheets, self assessments and chapter exercises related to weekly class content.

Study Non-Contact Hours Recommended

108

Methods of Student Evaluation

• Final Exam
• Short Quizzes
• Written Assignments
• Report
• Projects (Individual/Group)
• Oral Presentations

Demonstration of Critical Thinking

Critical thinking will be assessed through a variety of methods including written papers, exams, and class projects that will incorporate course materials. The course readings will allow students to analyze and interpret complex theories related to the construction of an individual's identity through an intersectional and self-authored framework. In-class discussions will be based on course readings, and allow for the application of those theories to real-world scenarios, fostering critical analysis and comparison of concepts. Out-of-class assignments, such as reflection papers and research projects, will inspire students to connect course concepts and formal theories to their lived experiences and conduct an examination of those frameworks to their individual lives. Exam essays and online discussion boards serve as a foundation for students to articulate and compare their unique perspectives with others to gain a deeper understanding of how identity is personalized and unique to individuals and critically evaluate different viewpoints.

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration

Students will reflect critical thinking skills in written assignments which may include an autobiography, written reports, guided journal entries reflecting on discovery and intention statements, and short answer exercises and exams. Each student will identify the multiple identities that they hold through a series of activities and assessments, then develop a self-authored narrative.

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Eligible Discipline(s)

• Counseling: Master’s degree in counseling, rehabilitation counseling, clinical psychology, counseling psychology, guidance counseling, educational counseling, social work, or career development, marriage and family therapy, or marriage, family and child counseling, OR the equivalent. (NOTE: A bachelor’s degree in one of the above listed degrees and a license as a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) is an alternative qualification for this discipline.) Master's degree required. Title 5, section 53410.1