The Man Up University Curriculum
Copyright 2008 by The Owens Group – Training and Development
Use, modification, and/or distribution without the expressed written consent of The Owens Group – Training and Development is forbidden.
Programmatic Goals
I. To dispel stereotypical myths of manhood common in the media and popular culture while promoting a definition of manhood based on respect for others, handling of responsibility, managing resources, and maintaining quality relationships.
II. To teach life skills necessary for development into a mature, responsible adult.
III. To teach leadership skills needed to empower participants to make quality life decisions that result in positive life outcomes with significantly less regard for negative peer pressure.
Learning Objectives/Outcomes
I. To teach participants how to gain respect from others without using aggressive or passive aggressive behavior.
II. To teach participants how to handle responsibility using quality decision making and a team based approach.
III. To teach participants how to manage resources like (money, time, information and people) through use of a disciplined systematic process for resource management.
IV. To teach participants how to build and maintain quality relationships with others through more effective communication, positive mental attitude, and gaining/protecting the trust of others.
Method of Delivery
I. Dynamic interactive family and group discussion during class.
II. Use of online internet resources including, video reactions, assessments, family discussion questions and blogging/journaling outside of class.
Content
Classroom Session 1
A. Introduction to the Man Up Program
B. Introduction of the instructor
C. Introduction of each participant (including adults)
D. Discussion and Signing of Program Agreements/Conduct in Class
E. Discussion concerning Goals for the class.
F. Discussion concerning “What it is like to be a young person growing up today, as opposed to what it was like for their parents.”
G. Discussion concerning myths and stereotypes of manhood.
H. Introduction to the 4 R’s of Manhood. (Respect, Responsibility, Resources, and Relationships)
I. Explanation of internet homework assignment (Real Man Assessment) and What’s Good – Man Up Blog/Journal.
J. Brief individual meeting with each family.
K. Dismissal of the class
Classroom Session II
A. In class New and Good – Each family shares something new and good that has happened to them since last week.
B. Review of or reactions to home work from last week.
C. Review of teaching points from last class.
D. Introduction of Respect Module
E. Family discussion concerning how respect is given and received in their family.
F. Definition of respect
G. Discussion concerning How Adults get disrespected by young people
H. Discussion concerning ways young people get disrespected by adults
I. Discussion concerning the true message being communicated through disrespect.
J. Discussion concerning the cycle of mistreatment/disrespect.
K. Discussion concerning the communication of respect/disrespect.
L. Family Discussion identifying and acknowledging respect worthy attributes of each participant.
M. Family discussion identifying one thing the youth could do to be respected by his family even more than he already is.
N. Discussion of homework to be completed before the next class.
O. Brief individual meeting with each family
P. Dismissal of the class
Classroom Session III
A. In class New and Good – Each family shares something new and good that has happened to them since last week.
B. Review of or reactions to home work from last week.
C. Review of teaching points from last class.
D. Introduction of Responsibility Module
E. Discussion concerning handling responsibility through effective decision making
F. Discussion concerning how we as human beings tend to make decisions
G. Discussion concerning feeling based decision making vs. thinking based decision making.
H. Anatomy and physiology of the brain as it relates to decision making.
I. Instant gratification vs. delayed gratification and decision making.
J. Introduction of team based approach to handling responsibility.
K. Family discussion concerning who is on your team.
L. Family discussion concerning who is your hero.
M. Family discussion concerning who’s hero are you.
N. Discussion of homework to be completed before the next class. (Post Test on The 4 R’s of Man Hood)
O. Brief individual meeting with each family
P. Dismissal of the class
Classroom Session IV.
A. In class New and Good – Each family shares something new and good that has happened to them since last week.
B. Review of or reactions to home work from last week.
C. Review of teaching points from last class.
D. Introduction of the Resources Module
E. Discussion concerning the definition of resources
F. Discussion concerning values and how they relate to management of resources
G. Discussion concerning NOSAW (Needs, Obligations, Savings, Assets, and Wants) Money Management System
H. Family Discussion concerning the family’s finances and their system for managing money.
I. Review of 4 R’s of Manhood
J. Review of primary teaching points for each module
K. Discussion concerning what they gained from Man Up Program
L. Completion of Program Evaluations
M. Brief individual meeting with each family
N. Dismissal of class
O. Distribution of Certificates of Completion for those who completed the program.
Assessments:
Real Man Assessment - Pre-Test – Assessment taken by both young person and parent/guardian to help the young person to know where he is along the “manhood continuum.”
Man Up Final Exam – Assignment completed to reinforce the primary teaching points of the Man Up Program.