Appalachian State University
Alternative Service Experience Peer Leadership
HPC 3541-101– 1 credit
Semester: Spring 2014 e-mail: mashburnhj@appstate.edu Office: Appalachian and the Community Together
Instructor: Heather Jo Mashburn Phone: (828) 262-2545 Office Hours: Daily 9am-5pm by appointment
Teaching Assistant: Anne Mason (Graduate Assistant) masonak@appstate.edu
Course Info: Bi-weekly Mondays 7-9pm, Rough Ridge Ballroom (Student Union)
COURSE SYLLABUS
Course Description
This course is composed of a leadership training curriculum that covers a broad range of topics essential to planning,
coordinating, and serving as leader on an Alternative Service Experience. Emphasis is placed on peer interaction and active
participation. Attendance is required. This course incorporates service-learning pedagogy with the following three goals:
1. To link academic learning objectives with intentional service experiences.
2. To promote personal growth and development.
3. To develop a life-long commitment to service and civic involvement
4. To develop a foundational understanding of reflection as it relates to service and experiential education.
Course Objectives
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To provide students with general and specific leadership skills for Alternative Service Experience.
To give students the opportunity to develop group facilitation and leadership skills needed to lead an Alternative
Service Experience.
To facilitate interaction and the development of relationships between Alternative Service Experience leaders.
To understand reflection as an important component of Alternative Service Experience and service-learning as a
whole.
To gain a basic understanding of service-learning pedagogy.
To develop intercultural competency based on the following goals/themes:
a. Knowledge (about other cultures and other people’s behaviors
b. Empathy (understanding the feelings and needs of other people)
c. Self-confidence (knowledge of one’s own desires, strengths, weaknesses, and emotional stability)
d. Cultural identity (knowledge of one’s own culture
To provide teaching tools and training that peer leaders will use to do peer education around intercultural
competencies.
Teaching Methods
Bi-weekly hour and a half training sessions facilitated by students, community resource people and ASU faculty/staff
requiring active participation by each Alternative Service Experience Program leader. This class is a service-learning course
which gives the student leaders an opportunity to blend theory and practice, to take the theoretical knowledge acquired in
trainings and put it to work with a group of students in a community setting. Trainings are partially student run and the
structure endeavors to promote a participatory form of education, which engages students in all aspects of the learning.
Course Requirements
Attend bi-weekly training sessions, lead Alternative Service Experience, complete leadership training evaluation, completion
of post program reflection papers and completion of program journals (see below). Credit will be given to those students
who attend ALL training sessions (see attached schedule) and who thoughtfully complete all assignments. Missing sessions
for personal activities is NOT acceptable. If there is a conflict with a course requirement or medical emergency please notify
the leadership team in ADVANCE.
Reading Requirements
Assigned Readings
Course Assignments
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Complete ASE leadership classes. Attendance is mandatory.
Attend Peer Leader training retreat. Attendance is mandatory.
Read articles on service-learning and complete written reflection.
Plan and lead week long Alternative Service Experience March 8-15, 2014
Complete ASE leadership training evaluation giving specific and detailed feedback.
Complete Journal Project – program entries and post-reflection entry.
Final Course Essay (2-3 pages typed)
A. How has ASE leadership training and your ASE experience impacted you personally, your outlook on your
major, your education, your future plans and the world?
B. How has ASE leadership training and your ASE experience impacted your thinking/understanding in ONE or
more of the following areas:
Political consciousness
Citizenship/civic responsibility
Social understanding
Leadership development
C. How has ASE leadership training and your spring break experience connected with any of your courses? Has
your experience confirmed course content, challenged course content, changed your views about coursework?
Grading Scale
The class is graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.
Statement of Academic Integrity
As a community of learners at Appalachian State University, we must create an atmosphere of honesty, fairness, and
responsibility, without which we cannot earn the trust and respect of each other. Furthermore, we recognize that academic
dishonesty detracts from the value of an Appalachian degree. Therefore, we shall not tolerate lying, cheating, or stealing in
any form and will oppose any instance of academic dishonesty. This course will follow the provisions of the Academic
Integrity Code, which can be found on the Office of Student Conduct Web Site: www.studentconduct.appstate.edu.
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
Appalachian State University is committed to making reasonable accommodations for individuals with documented
qualifying disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation
Act of 1973. Those seeking accommodations based on a substantially limiting disability must contact and register with The
Office of Disability Services (ODS) at http://www.ods.appstate.edu/ or 828-262-3056. Once registration is complete,
individuals will meet with ODS staff to discuss eligibility and appropriate accommodations.
2013-2014 Alternative Service Experience- Peer Leadership Course Outline
September 23: ASE Peer Leader Seminar
Sept 27-Sept 29: ASE Peer Leader Training Retreat (Camp Broadstone in Boone, NC)
Oct. 7: ASE Peer Leader Seminar
October 21: ASE Peer Leader Seminar
November 4: ASE Peer Leader Seminar
November 11: International ASE Lottery Night (9-10:30pm Linville Falls Room)
November 18: ASE Peer Leader Seminar
December 2: ASE Peer Leader Seminar
January 26: ASE Peer Leader & Learning Partner Training Retreat (1-5pm Linville Falls Room)
January 27: ASE Peer Leader Seminar
February 3: ASE U.S. Based Lottery Night
February 17: ASE Peer Leader Seminar
February 23: ASE Send-off
March 3: ASE Peer Leader Seminar
March 8-15: ASE Spring Programs
March 24: ASE Reorientation Session
*Please note: All dates are tentative and will continue to be updated as needed