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Special Report--- Focus on C&C
Citizenship and Civility - QEP interdisciplinary theme for 2012-13
To get involved in activities already planned or to share your own ideas, please check out the WCU Citizenship
and Civility web page and feel free to contact the steering committee directors with any ideas, suggestions, or
questions that you may have about this year’s theme. “
Todd Collins --Director, Public Policy Institute Associate Professor, Dept. of Political Science
Lane Perry -- Director of the Center for Service Learning
Paul Loeb to Lecture -- October 24
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--- 6:00-7:30 pm in the UC Theatre
Paul Loeb is the author of Soul of a Citizen, and The Impossible Will Take a Little While.
Courtesy of Marsha Lee Baker:
Paul Loeb is one of the most widely and well respected activist-scholars involved in American
education. His book - Soul of a Citizen - is, for millions of readers, a can’t-put-it-down read. Take a
quick glance at his website: http://www.paulloeb.org/index.html.
I deeply encourage you to include yourselves and your students in his visit. I also recommend
this recent co-authored article to you and your students: ‘My Vote Doesn’t Matter’ (by Paul Loeb,
Alexander Astin, and Parker Palmer) from Inside Higher Ed.
Optional instructional info:
The C&C Steering Committee has composed two assignments (to save you time) that could be included in your
class. Please visit Paul Loeb Assignments to view:
1. an additional/extra credit assignment and
2. a for credit – integrated assignment
Debate Watch!
Leading up to this exciting evening with Paul Loeb are a number of debate watch events brought to you by the
C&C Student steering committee. Each debate watch event will start with a 20-minute discussion to help
contextualize the debates before they happen.
 October 10, 8:30-10:30, UC Theater: John Stewart vs. Bill O’Reilly Debate (rebroadcast)
 October 11, 8:30-10:30, UC Theater: Vice-Presidential Debate on Foreign and Domestic Policy
 October 22, 8:30-10:30, UC Theater: Presidential Debate on Foreign Policy
 October 25, 5:30, Blue Ridge: Voter Education/Information Forum
Front Line
Journey Stories: a Smithsonian Exhibit now at the Mountain Heritage Center -- through Friday, Nov. 9.
Are you looking for ways to help your students connect to WCU’s rich cultural
heritage and history? Perhaps you are contemplating how best to help
students process their role as student citizens on a journey to become
informed and active members of a participatory society – to understand the
mark their footprints will forever leave here at WCU as they define their own
journey. I invite you to consider integrating this amazing opportunity into
your class this term – the Smithsonian exhibit is an opportunity not to be
missed. See the following excerpt from the Reporter by Randall Holcombe.
From: Smithsonian exhibit ‘Journey Stories’
“Journey Stories,” an exhibit from the Smithsonian Institution that examines the intersection between
modes of travel and Americans’ desire for freedom of movement, will be on display at Western Carolina
University’s Mountain Heritage Center – through Friday, Nov. 9.
The traveling exhibit tells the story of migration and mobility throughout American history, ranging from
the tales of immigrants who came to America in search of promise in a new country to the harrowing
journeys of Africans and Native Americans who were forced to move. It also includes stories of fun and
frolic on the open road.”
For more information about the “Journey Stories” exhibit and related activities and events, contact the
Mountain Heritage Center at 828-227-7129. Please read the full story here:
The CORE
ReCalibrate Your Compass! --- October 23, 4-6pm at the Catafount!
Courtesy of Laura Dinunzio
We are half-way through the semester, and it's time to help your students ReCalibrate their Compasses! Do your
students need a refresher on the campus services that will help them finish out the semester strong? They can
receive priceless information from the Advising Center, Career Services, First-Year Experience, Math Tutoring
Center, Service Learning Center, Writing & Learning Commons, Library, Residential Life, and Technology
Commons along with FREE food, prizes, and more! Please encourage your students attend!
Toolbox
Education Briefcase
Are you looking for ideas to help your students as they work on their e-Briefcase? IT has some great workshops
coming up this week that you may want to tell your students about! Students can register here.
Liberal Studies Advising Workshop Sessions
This workshop will cover the basics of the Liberal Studies program and is designed especially for new advisors
and others who feel they may need a refresher on the program before we begin advising students for spring
semester. You can attend one of the two sessions held in Killian Annex 136 – each is one hour long.
 Tuesday, Oct. 23, at 8-9:30 a.m., or
 Wednesday, Oct. 24 at 3:30-5 p.m.
Please let Steve Baxley (sbaxley@wcu.edu), Associate Director of the Advising Center, know if you plan to
attend. We look forward to seeing you there.
Perspectives
What better way to launch a discussion about Citizenship and Civility than by having students first clarify their
values, culture, and self-identity………
Please see the following courtesy share by Freya Kinner, Instructional Developer, Coulter Faculty Commons
(forwarded from the POD listserv)
Values Auction---
“…. [Students] bid with a set amount of money determined with a formula based on age and other things. The
list includes health, contributions to humanity, wealth, a date with a celebrity, etc. After the auction, the
debriefing covers long-term vs. short-term interests, self-vs. other oriented interests, etc. The activity could be
wrapped around all different kinds of classes, but I use it for a communication class to talk about values, culture,
and the self. It's fun and it prompts great discussion.
…….. I decided to hold the auction on EBay. The EBay helpdesk folk were incredibly helpful. I had several
conversations with them about how to set things up and they were very accommodating. The students were all
willing to engage and found it quite fun. Of course, I provided an opt out. Since it's a values clarification activity,
the opt out question was basically connecting opting out to the student's values and priorities.
Here's what I found most interesting: The students' online bids were far more self-focused and immediate
than their f2f bids. No one at all bid on making a contribution to humanity. No one. Zero. Zip. Zilch. I only have
one class to reflect on. But wow. The difference is striking. Sitting in a classroom with f2f accountability really
does inspire? promote? require? pressure? prosocial behavior. There's a powerful lesson there.”
original post by: Laura Sells, Baton Rouge Community College, POD@LISTSERV.ND.EDU
Family Table
Citizenship & Civility in Action
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Volunteer of the Month: Do you know someone who deserves to be recognized for their service on
campus or in the community? You can nominate them for the Center for Service Learning’s new
Volunteer of the Month award! You can nominate yourself, a student, or a colleague by completing the
nomination form at https://orgsync.com/54768/forms/58898. Winners will receive a $10 gift card from
Starbucks, and will be recognized on the Center for Service Learning listserv and Facebook page.
Make a Difference Day (Saturday, October 27th, various locations): Make a Difference Day will be the
last Day of Service of the fall semester—if your students will be doing service for your class, this is a
wonderful opportunity for them to get involved. A variety of projects will be scheduled throughout the
morning. For more information or to sign up, please contact Jennifer Cooper at jacooper@wcu.edu.
This Week
Invisible Children screening ---Tuesday, October 9th, 7:00 pm, Blue Ridge conference room
The Invisible Children Campaign is coming to WCU! Join us to see the newest documentary from the group that
made 'Kony 2012.' Participants will learn more about the civil war in Central Africa, the children and families that
have been displaced, and what you can do to help. The film screening is free and open to the public. For more
information, please contact Derald Dryman at dadryman@wcu.edu.
An Encounter with Simone Weil October 9th at 7:30pm in the UC Theatre
Part of the 2012-2013 Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers. To
learn more: Simone Weil * Trailer for An Encounter with Simone Weil
The story of French philosopher, activist, and mystic, Simone Weil (19091943. On her quest to understand Simone Weil, filmmaker Julia Haslett confronts profound questions of moral
responsibility both within her own family and the larger world. An……….unforgettable journey into the heart of
what it means to be a compassionate human being. *Sponsored by: ace.wcu.edu Free for everyone
Retracing the Trace is an exposition of the number of unreported rapes that occur
within a twenty-four hour period in the United States. Hill borrows principles from
the Inka khipu system of accounting and storytelling to give voice to those women
who remain silent. Now in the Fine Art Museum through October 12, 2012
CEO Reminders
CALENDARS
Student Life Calendar: For a complete listing of what's going on for students from intramurals, to concerts and
lectures, to organizations, arts and culture, and so much more....
Events Calendar: arts and culture at WCU - plays, concerts, art exhibits, films, and more...
Service Learning: Current Events
ACE: Arts and Cultural Events Calendar
IT Training & Workshops: Calendar
Potty Times: PEAKS, a residential communication with FY students. Contact Laura Ansley.
EVENTS
The Upright Citizens Brigade at WCU! October 11 – 7:30 pm in the Bardo Performing Arts Center
From the theatre that brought you comedy greats like Horatio Sanz, Amy Poehler, Rob Corddry, Ed Helms, MTV’s
“Human Giant,” Rob Riggle of “The Daily Show” and many more…
Career Services (Contact the Career Services for information, 227-7133, 205 Killian Annex)
 WCU Graduate School and Fall Career Day, Thursday, October 25th, 2012, 2-5pm, UC Grand Room;
 Health Sciences Career Fair, Tuesday, November 6th, 2012, 4-6pm, UC Grand Room:
WHEE Care Workshop Series
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October 25th – 3pm-4pm
October 30th - 11am-12pm
Introduction to Em-Wave Biofeedback: Facilitated by Diane Radvanski
Skills to Improve Communication & Conflict Resolution:
Facilitated by Keysha Alston
OPPORTUNITIES
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20 Annual Adventure Education Conference – Friday, November 2
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This is a student planned conference for students. Registration is $25 and this covers breakfast and
lunch. There will be a mixture of indoor and outdoor workshops, a keynote speech, exhibiters and door
prizes. Organized by: The Parks and Recreation Majors Club. Contact Maurice Phipps for more information.
INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION WEEK: GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP and CIVILITY --- November 12-16
International Education Week (IEW) is an opportunity to celebrate the benefits of international education and
exchange worldwide.
Resource File
Blackboard --- reference and participate in the Transition Pathways Course site....
Education Briefcase – resources and information for students and for faculty and
staff looking to use eB in your course.
First-Year Seminar: Liberal Studies – resource guide for faculty teaching the
first-year seminar …
Transition Pathways: An instructor resource - resource guide for FYE
transition course instructors …
CFC on the Web --- help with teaching, technology, and more--- helping you do what
you do better!
FYE on the Web --- many resources and network links to help you along the way …..
QEP on the Web --- discover the possibilities - find the resources you need - find
your path.....
OrgSync -- https://orgsync.com/login/western-carolina-university --- the place for student clubs and
organizations and other co-curricular opportunities ..
FYE Message Board – A weekly e-journal for students
TRANSITION PATHWAYS: The Blackboard Commons: If you teach an FYE Transition course, you will see it
on your Blackboard menu under organizations. Questions: contact Glenda Hensley at ghensley@wcu.edu
The Education Briefcase (eB) is now open to ALL undergraduate students!
For information please contact Nory Prochaska, Chair of the eBriefcase Implementation
Team, or Freya Kinner in the Coulter Faculty Commons. For general information about eB, visit
the website. See the feature by Nory Prochaska in the FYE Journal on page 4.
The next regular publication date is October 22, 2012 --- please let me know if you want to share updates
about programs, events, or other opportunities for teaching and learning in FYE!
Glenda Hensley, FYE Director