This syllabus is subject to change without notice. Contact the professor for most recent changes.

Capstone Seminar – URSI 489

MN. State University, Mankato

Tues. 2-4:45 p.m. MH 206 - Spring 2001

 

Instructor:     Dr. J.E. Cherrington (Dr. J)                    Phone/Voice Mail: 507-389-5031

Office:  Morris Hall - 106B  Office Hours:  See * also by appointment

*Instructor’s web page (www.intech.mnsu.edu/cherrington)

 

 

Text:   • The City Reader,2nd edition, Richard T. LeGates and Frederic Stout

Reserved Readings:  Portfolio Power: The New Way to Showcase all Your Job Skills and Experiences; also some other brief articles.  A copy of these will be made available in the URSI department’s Capstone mail slot.

 

Course Rationale:  This course will provide senior-level students the valuable experience of preparing an annotated portfolio of select samples of their professional-oriented work.  It will teach students how to synthesize their URSI course work into an important tool for use in job and admission committee interviews.  This course will also give students critical job-hunting strategies and techniques.  Finally, a survey of important classic urban study literature will be reviewed.  These readings will serve as a foundation for public sector managers and planners as well as for URSI students who plan to go on to graduate school.

 

Course Outcomes:  Upon successful completion of this course, the student will demonstrate:

 

A.  Knowledge of:

  1. classic writings in urban studies.
  2. what is changing in the way of job candidates seek employment and are noticed by prospective employers.
  3. interviewing strategies and techniques.
  4. the challenges and rewards of certain public sector employment opportunities.
  5. the significance of presenting a professional image through an annotated portfolio and at job interviews, professional meetings, and dinners.

 

B.  Skills in:

1.      developing and maintaining a professional portfolio.

2.      developing a personal narrative supportive of portfolio content and relevant to professional-oriented work.

3.      developing a professional resume and cover letter.

4.      effective written and oral communication.

5.      using technology to do electronic job searching.

6.      leading  small group discussions.