HONS 250: COLLOQUIUM: SOCIAL DIVERSITY AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
COURSE SYLLABUS
COURSE:
HONS 250: Colloquium: Social Diversity and Civic
Engagement
INSTRUCTOR:
Brian T. Ivory, Ph.D.
CR/CT:
3 Credit Hours / 3 Contact Hours
TEXTS:
Diversity Consciousness (2010) by Richard D. Bucher,
Prentice Hall, ISBN 13-501463-8
OPTIONAL
CO-REQUISITE:
HONS 251: Social Diversity and Civic Engagement Laboratory
OFFICE:
2030 Prahl Center, Counseling and Student Development
810-762-0361 (Division Office: 762-0111; Fax: 232-9831)
E-MAIL:
brian.ivory@mcc.edu (Note: if sending Instructor an email, please put “HONS-250” in subject line.)
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
A growing expectation for today’s college graduate is the ability to work
effectively in a diverse environment. This course focuses on human relations
skills (e.g., valuing diversity) essential for collaborating with others in socially
diverse teams, groups and communities. Students will also explore how
various dimensions of diversity can bring about personal and social barriers
(e.g., biases, stereotypes) that influence the quality of human relationships.
Students will apply their academic learning by completing 45 hours of
community service.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
1. Apply human relations principles and social diversity skills toward effective
collaboration within socially-diverse teams, groups and communities.
2. Enhance students’ understanding of themselves (e.g., personal beliefs, values,
biases, etc.) and their personal dimensions of diversity (e.g., race, gender,
sexual orientation, religion, etc.).
3. Examine how dimensions of diversity can bring about personal and social
barriers (e.g., biases) that influence the quality of human relationships.
4. Prepare for service learning experiences through diversity awareness,
site education, and volunteer expectations / etiquette / ethics.
5. Practice human relations principles and social diversity skills in the
community and document civic engagement activities.
6. Critically reflect upon, identify, and articulate connections between
academic learning and community service learning.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
A. Mid-term Exam – students will be required to complete a mid-term to
assess comprehension of course readings (Bucher, 2010) (50 points).
B. Social Identity / Diversity Awareness Paper – students will be required to
demonstrate insight into their own multiple social identities and explore
how diversity awareness will impact their interactions in and outside the
classroom (20 points).
C. Service Journal / Civic Engagement Log – students will be required to
document their service in the community by recording basic service site
information (e.g., hours, activities) and reflections following each day of
service in the community (20 points).
D. Service Site Overview and Critical Reflection Paper – Students will be
required to reflect critically on their service experience from multiple
perspectives (50 points).
E. Final Exam – students will be required to complete a final assessing
comprehension of the course readings (Bucher, 2010) (50 points).
F. Course Evaluation – as this is a new course offering, students will be
required to complete a course evaluation (10 points).
GRADING SCALE:
200-181
180-171
170-161
160-151
150-141
(90%) = 4.0
(85%) = 3.5
(80%) = 3.0
(75%) = 2.5
(70%) = 2.0
140-131 (65%) = 1.5
130-121 (60%) = 1.0
120-below
= 0.0
RISK MANAGEMENT FORMS, DOCUMENTATION, ETC.:
Prior to beginning actual service in the community, students will be required to
complete necessary forms and documents as required by the college. This
course requirement may include, but not be limited to, the following: consent
forms, travel forms, emergency contact forms, I.C.E., affiliation agreements,
memos of understanding, and the student code of conduct. Community
agencies where students complete their service hours may require additional
forms and documentation prior to students beginning their service hours.
ATTENDANCE:
Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class and reported to the
college every three weeks. Students who miss more than 1/2 of any class
period will be given one official absence (this includes the total minutes
accumulated for arriving late and/or leaving early during the semester). This
also applies if a student has been asked to leave the classroom due to nonparticipation, disruptive behavior, etc. Students should also note the following
days in which absences are unacceptable:
 Mid-term examination class (minus 15 points)
 Final examination class (minus 15 points)
 The last day of class (minus 10 points)
Because this course is highly interactive, regular attendance is critical to the
learning process. Bonus points will be given for students with the following
attendance record: No Absences (+10 points), One Absence (+7), Two
Absences (+3), Three Absences (0 points). It shall be the Instructor’s
discretion to deduct ten points for every missed class beyond the allowable
absences: Four Absences (-10 points), Five Absences (-20), Six Absences (30), Seven Absences (-40), Eight Absences (-50).
Suggestion: students are strongly advised to discuss with Instructor
circumstances that may affect your class attendance. This also includes
explanations for sustained absences (i.e., two or more absences in a row) or
reasons for excessive tardiness.
WITHDRAWALS (W), INCOMPLETES (I) AND NS GRADES:
To officially “Withdraw” (W) from this class, students must do so through the
Registration Office before 90% of the course has been completed. If a
student has not attended class, or is no longer attending, an “NS” grade can
be given after 20% of the course has been completed. Students should also
be aware that this Instructor rarely gives “Incomplete” (I) grades, and only for
emergency/medical reasons.
CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR:
Students are expected to demonstrate mature, engaged and respectful
behavior in the classroom. Failure to do so (e.g., foul language, sleeping,
nonparticipation in class activities) may result in a student being asked to
leave the classroom. If this occurs, an absence will be recorded on the
Attendance sheet. Cases of serious or sustained disruptive behavior may
require (a) meeting with the college Registrar, (b) setting conditions for
remaining in the course, and/or (c) signing a student-teacher contract.
CHANGES IN SCHEDULE OR PROCEDURES:
The course schedule and procedures are subject to change in the event of
extenuating circumstances (e.g., emergency closings due to bad weather).
Students will be informed if any changes to the syllabus, schedule or course
requirements are necessary.
ACCOMMODATIONS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES:
Faculty members are required by law to honor requests for authorized
accommodation of special needs for students with documented disabilities.
Students with disabilities who believe they may need accommodations in
this class are encouraged to contact DisAbility Services, Room 2280, Prahl
College Center, or by calling 810-762-9181.
Alternative formats of this HONS 250 syllabus
are available (upon request) for
visually impaired students
HONS 250: Colloquium: Social Diversity and Civic Engagement
TEXT:
Bucher Text (2010)
Cress et al. Text (2005)
Week 1
Human Relations Intro
Identifying S. Learning Sites
Week 2
Bucher Ch. 1
What Is Service Learning?
Week 3
Diversity: An Overview
Community Partnerships
Week 4
Bucher Ch. 2
Becoming Community
Week 5
Diversity Consciousness
Group Development
Week 6
Bucher Ch. 3
Creating Cultural Connections
Week 7
Personal / Social Barriers
Reflection in Action
Week 8
Bucher Ch. 4
Problem Solving
Week 9
Developing Div. Consciousness
Expanding Horizons
Week 10
Bucher Ch. 5
Service Beyond a Grade
Week 11
Bucher Ch. 6
Looking Back, Looking Forward
Week 12
Teamwork
Posters/Portfolios Presentation
Week 13
Bucher Ch. 7
Posters/Portfolios Presentation
Week 14
Leadership
Posters/Portfolios Presentation
Week 15
Bucher Ch. 8
Service Celebration