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Community Leadership and Service Learning - URSI 230-01 –Thursday
Fall 2014
MN State University, Mankato - Urban and Regional Studies Institute
Thursday 12:30 – 3:15 pm This is a draft syllabus and is subject to change
Instructor: Dr. J.E. Cherrington (Dr. J)
Phone/Voice Mail: 507-389-5031
Office: Morris Hall - 104 Office Hours: See *; also by appointment;
e-mail: janet.cherrington@mnsu.edu
*Instructor’s web page (www.intech.mnsu.edu/cherrington)
Req’d Text(s)• •Strategies for Active Citizenship, Drexler and Garcelon (2005) Pearson/Prentice Hall,
ISBN 013-117295-6;
The Civically Engaged Reader, Adams & Lynn (eds), (2006)
ISBN 0-9-45159-49-8
Morris Hall Copy Shop: Class Packet- URSI 230-01 Cherrington (required)
Course Purpose: The purpose of this course is to provide the student with a comprehensive overview of
community leadership and service learning within the public, private and nonprofit sectors. Included will be
management principles and practices, public administration, ethical and civic responsibilities in a democratic
society. Most important, and what makes this course unique, is the involvement of community leaders and the
students within the community. Additionally, this course requires a high level of student involvement-volunteering, interviewing, working with both student and community teams, etc.
Instructional Strategy:
This course is built on the premise that you are responsible for your part in our shared journey; you are
responsible for attending, participating and owning a willingness to learn. My role is to guide, facilitate,
encourage, and provide thought provoking opportunities. Simply put, my professional-educator role is to open
doors for you to walk through and explore in a safe learning environment. My personal-professional goal is to
introduce you to worlds of thoughts, opportunities and challenges you will probably not have experienced
before, and in so doing provide a degree of mentorship that will encourage you long beyond this class or your
college experience.
Learning Outcomes:
Students will demonstrate competency in knowledge, skills, and abilities as related to both service learning and
community leadership:
Community Leadership
1. Understand and experience leadership in a community organizational setting
2. Understand and experience the challenges and rewards of community leadership
3. Understand the historical and cultural underpinnings of community leadership
4. Articulate through discussion and writing community leadership experiences gained in this
course
Service Learning
1. Understand and experience the challenges of service learning
2. Understand and experience the rewards of service learning
3. Understand and experience the value of service learning to the individual, the organization,
and the Community
4. Articulate through discussion and writing service learning experiences gained in this course
5. Working and interacting with others in a team approach on a community/non profit project
6. Using project management skills
Your Learning Experience – What To Expect in this Course:
This is a face-to-face course and it will require a different level of both awareness and motivation on
your part to get the most out of this course. All assignments, with details and due dates, are listed in this
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syllabus and on D2L. Additional details and interesting materials (including extra credit opportunities) to help
you throughout this course will periodically be posted on Desire2Learn (D2L).
CLASSWORK:
Oral Presentation:
Meaningful group discussion provides an opportunity to not only express ideas but to think in terms of the
dynamics of their expression and to develop a broader perspective of knowing. Many of us don’t really know
what we are thinking until we hear ourselves say it aloud.
Bottom line--it’s an excellent learning experience. A portion of every class will be devoted to students leading
the class in discussion about the readings in Civically Engaged Reader and how these relate to Service Learning
and the concept of Community Leadership. Your contribution will be evaluated using the “Oral Presentation
Civically Engaged Reader” criteria attached to the syllabus. Please review the criteria carefully. No Power
points. Students absent on the day of their reading presentation are subject to a one (1) point reduction
each time they are not prepared to present. Note: All students should be prepared to present their
Civically Eng. reading 1 week in advance.
GROUP PROJECT: TO BE ANNOUNCED (TBA) Students will form permanent peer groups be asked to
report orally and in writing on the assigned project.
EXERCISES:
You are expected to read the assigned text(s) or readings prior to class and do exercises in the textbook as
assigned. They will serve as the basis for interactive group and class discussions (class participation).
Students will form permanent peer groups and randomly be asked to orally report on these exercises.
Exercises are to be labeled in upper right hand corner of each page with: Student’s name, date, weekly
assignment (book page no & item no.) and due date* (day & date). Point reduction for unstapled or unlabeled
homework. Exercises must be typed; handwritten ½ credit 1st time; no credit thereafter. [Keep all
assignments when returned until the end of the semester to resolve any discrepancy]. No credit for late
assignments, unless prior arrangements made with discretion of the professor. The balance of the class
will consist of problem solving, lecture, student presentations and guest speakers.
CURRENT EVENTS:
A portion of most classes will be devoted to students participating in current events discussion. For example
you will be Your will be responsible to find one current event during each assigned period in the course
calendar. You are to make a copy of the article and to write one to two pages (double spaced) on the event.
See weekly schedule for due dates. Come prepared to discuss your article and relate it to our class. Current
events should be typed and labeled same as exercises (see p. 2).
Service Learning Fair:
Non-profit organizations will be present on the MSU campus on the date listed on the weekly schedule.
You must attend the service learning fair so you can talk with representatives of the various non-profit
organizations. If there is a sign-in sheet, be sure to SIGN IN. This will help you to decide which
organization interests you the most and which offers time schedules compatible with your class/work
schedules. Take your service learning calendar along and have it signed by 3 organizations*
Note: If you cannot attend the service learning fair (because of a class conflict), notify the
professor the week beforehand to get an alternate assignment & bring a copy of your class
schedule.
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Requirements:
In order to effectively explore topics, this course will be a union between –classroom and field experiences.
The key requirements for this course are an open mind, a willingness to discuss new concepts, and the desire
to grow. Each Student is required to fulfill the following requirements in order to pass this course:
Service Learning: Each student must complete at least 15 hours of service learning at a community
organization or organizations, and conduct an interview with the manager at your service-learning site,
to pass this course. This gives each student the opportunity to not only participate, but also to observe,
analyze and understand how community service organizations function. To compensate for this
requirement, course assignment and participation time will be reduced (see course calendar).
Relatives cannot be associated with the S/L site. Also you cannot be paid for S/L.
The Interview:
Using the interview guideline attached to this syllabus (and also available as a separate form online in
the D2L in the contents tab), conduct an interview with the manager of your service learning site and
recount in your own words. The goal of the interview is to help you understand community leadership
from the perspective of someone who does that as their chosen occupation. The interview results are
documented as part of your service learning oral/written report. As an alternative, you may conduct an
interview with a council member, other elected official, city planner or manager, or another elected on
non-elected community leader.
Guest Speakers:
Throughout the semester guest lecturers will speak to the class. These appearances will be listed on D2L or
announced. Guest speakers may include community leaders and elected officials. Before their appearance, you
should go to their organization’s website for some background information. This will allow you to develop two
(2) intelligent and meaningful questions to pose to them. Your questions must be typed and have your name,
date, GS name showing in the upper right hand corner to earn credit. They are to be turned in at the start of
class in order to receive the “guest speaker” question points listed under “grading.”
COURSE EXPECTATIONS:
Attendance/ Class Participation/Quizzes:
Students play an important role in educating and challenging each other, which can only happen with consistent
attendance. I expect you to attend and roll will be taken or an attendance sheet distributed at each class.
Students coming in late or leaving early will not get full attendance points. Unexcused absence (prior
notification is required—even if I am not available, my voice mail and email always are) can result in loss of
grade points. The instructor will have periodic quizzes on class discussions and readings. Quizzes cannot be
made up if absent. The instructor also reserves the right to have a comprehensive final exam if class attendance
falls off or classroom participation is poor. If a final is given, the instructor reserves the right to determine
point value of it. Please no open laptops, text messaging, or cell phones during class. Students who fail to
observe this will forfeit that day’s attendance and some class participation points..
Grading:
There are 200 points for the course, divided and graded as follows:
Points
S/L completed
20
*Individual weekly text exercises/current events
32
*Group work/project (10 ppt; 30 rept.)
40
Team Evals (5 point reduction if not submitted)
Presentations on CE reading(s)[15]
15
S/L Interview & your own responses in a one-page ss. report
30
Attend S/L fair (or complete alternate assignment in CP)
10 (completed S/L calendar should be signed)**
G.Spkr questions /quizzes (5 x 3 ea.)
15
Attendance (9ea.x 2)=(18) pts.
18
Class participation
20
Total
200
EXTRA CREDIT: (TBA) *These will be announced in class or on the D2L news board. They must be
submitted to the dropbox on dates shown on D2L dropbox schedule (late work will not receive credit).
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SERVICE LEARNING CONTRACT PART 1
Service Learning Site(s) Selection
This CONTRACT is designed as a guide and agreement for both the student and the instructor for the effort
required of the SERVICE LEARNING portion of the URBS 230 course. This contract is completed in two (2)
parts: Points will be deducted for late submissions based on severity of lateness (see D2L “late” dropboxes).
PART 1 (THIS FORM):
1. Select the organization you wish to perform service in during this semester. Choose one organization,
the total hours performed must total at least 10 hours.
2. Fill out the form, date it and submit the form to the “service learning contract #1” drop box by
date/time listed. A separate contract #1 dropbox will be available for “late” submissions.
3. Perform your service learning commitment.
PART 2:
1. When you have completed your service learning requirement, have your supervisor sign it, then date the
form signifying that you have completed the work. (type in the date - you do not need to print this
form). Scan it.
2. Submit completed scanned form to the “completed service learning contract #2” drop box.
PART 1: SERVICE LEARNING CONTRACT
As a requirement of URBS 230, Community Leadership and Service Learning I must complete at least 10 hours
of service learning and complete an interview with the manager of my service learning site. I understand that I
need to complete the requirements not later than date listed on D2L and that completion of these requirements
is necessary to pass the class. The course Instructor for this course Janet Cherrington; you may contact her at
Janet.Cherrington@mnsu.edu or 507-389-1714 for questions or should any concerns arise.
I wish to complete this requirement at the following organization(s):
Organization:_________________________________________________________________
My supervisor at the organization will be: _______________________phone:_______________
Supervisor E-Mail Address: _______________________________________________________
______________________DATE:____________________________
STUDENT
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SERVICE LEARNING CONTRACT PART 2
SERVICE LEARNING CONTRACT FULFILLED
This CONTRACT is designed as a guide and agreement for both the student and the instructor for the effort
required of the SERVICE LEARNING portion of the URBS 230 course. This contract is completed in two (2)
parts: Points will be deducted for late submissions based on severity of lateness (see D2L “late” dropboxes).
PART 1:
1. Select the organization you wish to perform service in during this semester. Choose more than one
organization. The hours performed must total at least 10 hours.
2. You must complete an interview with the manager at your service learning site.(Questions attached to
syllabus)
3. Fill out this form, date it and submit the form to the “service learning contract #1” drop box.
4. Perform your service learning commitment.
PART 2 (THIS FORM):
5. When you have completed your service learning requirement and completed your interview, date the
form signifying that you have completed the work. (type in the date, you do not need to print this
form)
6. Submit completed form in to the “service learning contract #2 drop box by date listed on D2L.
This student has completed at least 10 hours of service work at our service learning organization and has
completed an interview with the manager (or supervisor) at this service learning site.
_____________________________________
MANAGER/SUPERVISOR’S SIGNATURE
DATE_________________________
____________________________________
DATE ________________________
STUDENT’S SIGNATURE
____________________________________________________________________________________
(FOR INSTRUCTOR USE ONLY)
REQUIREMENT FULFILLED: INSTRUCTOR:_____________________DATE:____________
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See D2L 230-01 for assignments/readings, etc.
For course calendar, assignments, readings, etc. see – D2L for most current information
Fall Course Calendar 230-01-Thurs 12:30-3:15 p.m. (CP) class packet; (DB) dropbox .Revised 9/15/14
(CE) Civically Engaged Rdr;
(R)Read;
(TBA) To be Announced; (GS) Guest Spkr; (S/L) Service Learning * HMwk* see D2l)