New Course Proposal Rationale
B. Rationale
1. Statement of the major focus and objectives of this course
This course investigates Latin American and Latino perspectives in the United
States and creates intercultural exchanges between WSU students and Latino K-12
students. Material will be addressed through lenses of different careers such as Business,
Criminology, Education, Global Studies, Nursing, Social Work, and Spanish. In addition,
this course will address the theories and applications of Community-Based Learning as
they relate to the growing Latino culture in the United States. During weekly, 1-hour,
intercultural exchanges (Organized in partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters Winona),
WSU students will mentor K-12 Latino students across curriculum areas, engage in athletic
and creative learning activities, and assist in English language development if needed.
Simultaneously, the K-12 students will expand the college students’ understanding of
Latino students’ culture. Each Latino student will be matched with one WSU student to
form a long-lasting friendship based on trust, respect, and mutual appreciation.
2. Specify how this new course contributes to the departmental curriculum
The College of Education forefronts academic excellence and service to our
community, region and global society. Latino and Latin Americans Perspectives is
designed to be a academically and personally challenging class. Students will be exposed
to critical theoretical frameworks in the readings and discussions. They will then reflect on
their previous and ongoing experiences regarding course topics through writing and oral
participation in class. One common experience integral to the course is the communitybased mentoring component. Students will mentor a Latino K-12 student in Winona County
through Big Brothers Big Sisters Winona. Service to the community contributes directly to
the departmental and University-wide curriculum.
As Winona State University is a community of learners dedicated to improving our
world, the University supports initiatives such as this course. At the start of the 2006-2007
academic year, WSU invited Barbara Holland, Executive Director of the National Service
Learning Clearing House, to talk about community engagement and the future of higher
education, the scholarship of engagement, and institutionalizing community engagement at
WSU. Jeffrey Milem, Professor of Higher Education at the University of Arizona,
addressed research that underlies our understandings of why diversity matters.
In summary, Latino and Latin American Perspectives contributes to departmental
goals of excellence and community service, and the University-wide goals of functioning as
a community to improve our world.
3. Indicate any course(s) which may be dropped if this course is approved
No courses will be dropped upon approval of this course
Latinos and Latin American Perspectives
Dr. Stace Rierson
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C. Impact of this course on other departments, programs, majors, minors
1. Does this course increase or decrease the total credits required by a major or minor of
any other department? If so, which department(s)
No.
2. Would the course change the total number of credits required by any major or minor?
No.
3. If this course has an impact on the major or minor…
N/A
I have received support from my Department of Education. In addition, I have discussed
this course with the Spanish department at a meeting on November 3, 2006. Lillian
Ramos, Chair of the Department of Foreign Languages, approved of the course. Spanish
faculty member Vanessa Greene has co-developed this course. I have talked with
individuals about this course including but not limited to:
Kenneth Gorman
Troy Paino
Yogesh Grover
Peter Henderson
Linda D’Amico
Tammy Swenson-Lepper
Arlen Carey
Latinos and Latin American Perspectives
Dr. Stace Rierson
Dean of International Studies
Dean of Liberal Arts
Global Studies
History
Global Studies & Women’s Studies
Communication Studies
Social Work
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