This syllabus is subject
to change without notice. Contact the professor for most recent changes.
Community Leadership and Service Learning - URSI 230-80 F05
MN
Friday
Instructor: Dr. J.E. Cherrington (Dr. J) Phone/Voice
Mail: 507-389-5031
Office:
Morris Hall - 104 Office
Hours: See *; also by appointment;
e-mail: janet.cherrington@mnsu.edu
*Instructor’s
web page (www.intech.mnsu.edu/cherrington)
Text(s)• • The Community of the
Future, the Drucker Foundation ISBN
0-7879-5294-4
Morris Hall Copy Shop: URBS 230-80-“Cherrington-F” packet
Course Purpose: The purpose of this course is to provide the
student with a comprehensive overview of community leadership and service
learning within the public, private and nonprofit sectors. Included will be management principles and
practices, public administration, ethical and civic responsibilities in a
democratic society. Most important, and
what makes this course unique, is the involvement of community leaders and the
students within the community. There
will be a variety of field trips.
Additionally, this course requires a high level of student
involvement--volunteering, interviewing, working with both student and community
teams, etc.
Course Outcomes: Students upon successful completion of this course, will
demonstrate through verbal and written skills:
A.
Knowledge of:
1.
Leadership within the nonprofit sector.
2.
The significance and development of mission, leadership, resources,
marketing, decision-making and people development within the nonprofit sector.
3.
Leadership within the government sector (leadership, tasks,
responsibilities and practices).
4.
Citizenship and representative government as well as the
activities of collaboration, citizen participation and citizen self-government.
5.
one or more community non-profit organizations through service
learning and student volunteer teams.
B. Values:
1.
An appreciation for ethical
and civic perspectives of the non-profit sector mission and leaders within it.
2.
A respect for citizenship, the role of representative government,
and the importance of collaboration b/t the two.
3.
A commitment to the values, ethics, knowledge, and mission of community
leadership.
C. Skills in:
1.
Articulating the goals of the nonprofit sector with those of the
public and private sectors.
2.
Articulating the goals of the government sector with those of the
nonprofit and private sectors
3.
Applying personal talents and energies in the service-learning
model of community leadership.
4.
Applying creative problem solving and critical thinking in working
with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.
5.
Effective communication—oral and written.
6.
Researching and writing about service learning experiences at the
community level.
7.
Working and interacting with others in a team approach.
8.
Using volunteerism as a means for social change.
Instructional Methodology and Teaching
Strategies:
A
variety of instructional methodologies and teaching strategies will be employed
throughout this course. Above all, my
teaching style in this course is based on an “adult-centered” model wherein
students are active participants responsible for their own learning. Student motivation is a key factor in
learning. I am a facilitator and
resource person who will help you engage in meaningful involvement by investing
your time and energy in the academic enterprise.
ASSIGNMENTS:
This course is a
combination of reading, lectures, guest speakers, field trips, research and
student presentations. It requires 30
hours of volunteer activity within the
community.
CLASSWORK:
You are expected to read
the assigned texts or readings prior to class.
. They will serve as the basis
for interactive discussion. This discussion will, in turn, serve as a
springboard for written assignments. The
classes will be a mixture of students orally reporting to the class on one or
more topics, class discussion, problem solving, and lecture. If we have guest speakers (they will be
announced beforehand), you will be expected to prepare 2 appropriate questions (based on your reading and class lectures)
for each speaker and to pose your
questions to them when they are present.
(You should also type these questions and submit them to me with your
name and the course number before the speakers begin.)
SERVICE LEARNING:
This
course is structured to allow you the opportunity to learn about the community
leadership (as a concept, as a skill, and as a value) both in the classroom and
“on the ground.” You are required to spend a significant
amount of time (minimum of 30 hours) as a volunteer for a
community-serving organization. While
there, you will have the opportunity to be of service, and to observe how those
around you serve and lead. The non-profit organization should also be
based in
Service Learning Fair
Non-profit
organizations will be present on the MSU campus on the date listed on the
weekly schedule. You must attend the service learning fair so you can talk with
representatives of the various non-profit organizations. This will help you to decide which
organization interests you the most and which offers time schedules compatible
with your class/work schedules.
Note: If you cannot attend the service learning
fair, notify the professor the week before to get an alternate assignment.
Service Learning Calendar
Before
you attend the S/L fair, make up a weekly
calendar and fill in your: a) class, b) work, c) study schedules, and d)
any other time commitments (clubs, etc.) you have. Share
this calendar with the representatives of the various community organizations
to come up with a “fit” to complete your service learning. Turn in a copy of your calendar with
signatures on the date noted on the weekly class schedule. You might also check the websites of the Chamber of Commerce www.greatermankato.com under
“community” and “civic orgns.” and the Student
Leadership Office www.csu.mnsu.edu/SLDSL/SLDSL.HTML to get further volunteering ideas.
Service Learning Agency/Student Interview
After
you decide on the agency where you will do your service learning, set up an
appointment with the director (or person who will be your supervisor). Take
the “service learning interview” sheet (in the class packet) with you to the interview and complete it. Return it to the class instructor on the date
shown on the weekly class schedule. If
you decide to withdraw from this class, please be sure to contact the course
instructor and the agency to advise them.
Service Learning Agreements
You
must have a “Service Learning Agreement” (in class packet) signed and dated by
the supervisor at your non-profit organization at the start of your
service learning (initial form) and then again at the end (final form)
verifying that you completed your 30 hours.
A signed copy of the starting service learning agreement must be
submitted by the date listed on the weekly schedule. A final signed service learning agreement
attesting to your completion of the 30 hours service must also be submitted in
accordance with the weekly
schedule. You should also attach a
completed log time sheet (attached to syllabus) to your final S/L
agreement. Failure to fulfill these requirements will result either in grade
reduction (e.g., from “B” to “C,” an “I” for Incomplete, or an “F” for the
final grade (at the instructor’s option).
Service Learning Journal:
You should maintain a journal recounting your service learning experience from beginning to end. In it you should reflect on how you applied your personal talents and energies in the agency in which you chose to do your service learning. Also suggestions for applying creative problem solving and critical thinking in working with the individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities you came in contact with are appropriate. Journal entries should be regular and in a typed format with your name/s-l organization appearing on every page. Your journal submission should be stapled together before submission. See class packet for more directions and grading rubric. See weekly schedule for due date. No late submissions accepted.
ORAL PRESENTATION:
Meaningful
group discussion provides an opportunity to not only express ideas but to think
in terms of the dynamics of their expression and to develop a broader perspective
of knowing. Many of us don’t really know
what we are thinking until we hear ourselves say it aloud.
Bottom
line--it’s an excellent learning experience.
A portion of every class will be devoted to students leading the class
in discussion about the readings relating to Service Learning and the concept
of Community Leadership. Your
contribution will be evaluated using the “Class Led Discussion Evaluation”
criteria(in class packet). Please review
the criteria carefully.
GUEST SPEAKERS:
Throughout
the semester guest lecturers may speak to the class. These appearances will be listed on the
weekly class schedule (or announced).
Guest speakers may include community leaders and elected officials. Be sure to ask the instructor the week before
their appearance for some background information on the speakers. This will allow you to develop intelligent
and meaningful questions to pose to them.
(Your questions must be typed and have your name and date showing in the
upper right hand corner. They are to be
turned in at the start of class in order to receive the “guest speaker”
question points listed under “grading.”
Note: You should do two copies
and retain one to refresh your memory when the speaker calls for questions.)
Student Code of Ethics: Students should familiarize themselves with
the university’s policy on plagiarism.
Be sure to properly cite using APA style all works used and correct
world-wide web URL’s consulted.
Plagiarized assignments will result in a failing grade.
FIELD TRIPS:
We will visit several non-profit agencies and learn about their mission, services provided, etc. On designated dates/times, the class will meet at a field trip site. These will be non-profit agencies in Mankato. Students are responsible for getting to the sites and should plan to arrive at the site 15 minutes early. Field trip attendance is worth 15 points each. No makeup. More information will be provided the first or second week of class.
COURSE EXPECTATIONS:
Attendance/ Class
Participation/Quizzes:
Students play an
important role in educating and challenging each other, which can only happen
with consistent attendance. I expect
you to attend and roll will be taken and an attendance sheet distributed at
each class—be sure you sign it. Unexcused
absence (prior notification is
required—even if I am not available, my voice mail and email always are) can
result in loss of points toward one’s grade.
The instructor will have periodic quizzes on
current events. Quizzes cannot be made
up if absent. The instructor also
reserves the right to have a comprehensive final exam if class attendance falls
off or classroom participation is poor.
If a final is given, the instructor reserves the right to determine its
final point value.