URBS 230W: Community Leadership
Spring 2014
This syllabus is subject to change. Students should check D2L for the most current
changes.
Instructor: Mr. Mitchell R. Berg
Phone/Voice Mail: (W)507-389-5727
E-mail: Mitchell.berg@mnsu.edu
Class room: MH112
Office: Morris Hall 106A
Office hours: TBD
Class: M and W from 11:00-12:15 p.m. (230W-2)
Required Text(s):
 The Civically Engaged Reader, Davis & Lynn (eds), (2006) ISBN 0-9-45159-49-8
 The Community Leadership Handbook, James F. Krile, (2009) ISBN 0-94006954-7
Suggested Text:
 Strategies for Active Citizenship, Drexler and Garcelon, (2005) ISBN 0-13117295-6
Course Purpose:
The purpose of this course is to provide students with a comprehensive overview of
community leadership within the public and nonprofit sectors. Students will learn to use
critical thinking, communication and teamwork skills to become a more actively engaged
citizen.
Learning Outcomes:
Knowledge of:
1. Leadership (roles) within the public and nonprofit sectors and within the U.S.
democratic system
2. Greater understanding of what a community leader does and how to guide a
community engagement process
3. Learning what personal skills are required to become an effective leader
Values
1. A commitment to the values, ethics, knowledge, importance of being engaged
in your community
2. A commitment to respect and collaboration
3. An appreciation for diversity in the community engagement process
Skills
1. Learn about and apply personal leadership talents and strengths
2. Apply creative problem solving and employ different community engagement
techniques to help solve problems in work, family, group, organizations or
community settings
3. Effective and professional communication, both oral and written
4. Research and reflection through writing papers
Instructional Methodology and Teaching Strategies:
A variety of instructional methodologies and teaching strategies will be employed
throughout this course. Above all, my teaching style in this course is based on an
“adult-centered” model wherein students are active participants responsible for their
own learning.
Assignments:
This course is a combination of reading, completing papers, group/class discussion,
guest speakers, and research and student presentations. I will give partial credit for late
assignments that come in after the class due date; assignments submitted to me after
will not earn course credit unless prior written agreement has been made between the
professor and the student. All assignments must also be submitted into the D2L
drop box. Assignments not submitted through the D2L drop box will not receive
credit, unless alternative arrangements have been made beforehand. No credit
will be given to an assignment turned in after the drop box deadline has closed,
without prior written approval by the instructor.

Readings (5 reading assignments)
From the book The Civically Engaged Reader you will be assigned to read three
readings in each set during the assigned period in the course calendar and write
a minimum of two paragraphs per reading from each set of readings.

Current Event assignment (4 current events)
You will be responsible to find 1 current event during each assigned period in the
course calendar, for which the topic of the article is described in the overview.
You are to make a copy of the article and write a 1-3 page paper on the current
event. Come prepared to discuss your article and relate it to our class.

Guest Speaker questions (5 guest speaker sessions)
Be sure to ask the instructor the week before their appearance for some
background information on the speaker(s) as you will be required to develop two
(2) intelligent and meaningful questions to pose to them. Your questions must be
typed and have your name and date showing in the upper right hand corner. In
addition, you must submit your written questions to me prior to the end of class to
be eligible for credit.

Papers
o Assignment 1 - See overview of writing assignment
o Assignment 2 - See overview of writing assignment
City Council Meeting:
Each student must attend a school, city or county meeting during this course. If you
cannot attend one of these meetings a different type of public meeting may be
substituted, but with prior permission from the instructor. Be sure to collect a paper
copy of the agenda – you will need to turn this in.
Service Learning:
This course is structured to allow you the opportunity to learn about the community
leadership (as a concept, as a skill, and as a value) both in the classroom and “on the
ground.” You are required to spend a significant amount of time (minimum of 10 hours:
(days marked “no classes” make up approximately ½ of this) as a volunteer for a
community-serving organization. You are expected to go to your S/L agency on the “no
class” dates. While there, you will have the opportunity to be of service, and to observe
how those around you serve and lead. If you have questions on acceptability of an
organization, talk with the instructor asap. Failure to complete service learning will result
in failure of the course. No incompletes or in-progresses will be given.
You might also check the websites of the Chamber of Commerce
www.greatermankato.com under “living here” and “community organizations.” to get
further volunteering ideas. The guest speaker list (on D2L) is also a good resource for
service learning participating agencies.
Service Learning Agreements
You must have a “Service Learning Agreement” (in class packet) signed and dated by
the supervisor at your non-profit organization at the start of your service learning (initial
form) and then again at the end (final form) verifying that you completed your 15 hours.
A signed copy of the starting service learning agreement and interview sheet must be
submitted by the date listed on the weekly schedule. A final signed service learning
agreement attesting to your completion of the 10 hours service must also be submitted
along with completed log sheet on date shown on the weekly schedule. You should also
attach a completed log time sheet (in class packet) to your final S/L agreement.
Midterm and Final:
The midterm may consist of multiple choices; fill in the blank; and several essay
questions. The final will consist of a final project, which may be assigned as a group
project. However, please note the instructor also reserves the right to have a
comprehensive final exam if class attendance falls off or classroom participation is poor.
Guest Speakers:
Throughout the semester guest lecturers may speak to the class. These appearances
will be listed on D2L or announced. Guest speakers may include community leaders,
lobbyists, and appointed or elected officials. Be sure to ask the instructor the week
before their appearance for some background information on the speaker(s) as you will
be required to develop two (2) intelligent and meaningful questions to pose to them.
Your questions must be typed and have your name and date showing in the upper right
hand corner to earn credit. They are to be turned in prior to the end of class in
order to receive credit. Note: Open laptops, text messaging, or cell phone use during
these presentations are prohibited.
Student Code of Ethics:
Students should familiarize themselves with the University’s policy on plagiarism. Be
sure to properly use APA standard formats. Plagiarized assignments will result in a
failing grade.
Course Attendance and Participation:
You are expected to attend each and every class. Students coming in late or leaving
early will not get full attendance points. Excused absences are only permitted for
University sponsored events or activities. Students will also be required to participate
in class and in on-line discussions and activities. A total of 13 class points will be
awarded for in-class and on-line participation.
Please no text messaging or cell
phones use during class.
Class Cancellations:
Due to inclement weather or events beyond the University’s or the professor’s control
there may be a class session (or more) that will need to be cancelled. Every available
attempt will be made to contact each student via D2L or by e-mail. Nevertheless, if a
class is cancelled all assignments, readings and papers shall be due on the date listed
in the course calendar.
If, however, a class is cancelled the professor has the right to adjust the syllabus and
course schedule as necessary. Any changes or adjustment to this syllabus or course
schedule shall be posted on D2L.
Grading:
Maximum points 100
Attendance:
13
Current Events assignment
12 (3 points per current event paper)
Guest Speaker Questions
10 (1 point per question -max 2 points awarded per
speaker)
Readings
15(3 points each paper)
Paper #1
5
Paper #2
5
Service Learning
15
Midterm
10 (Multiple Choice and Essay)
Final
15
ADA:
ADA requires that the University provide services for persons with disabilities. For more
information regarding the services that are available to you, please contact the MSU
Disability Services Office at 507-389-2825 or 1-800-627-3529 (MRS/TTY). If you are a
person with a disability, please discuss any special needs with me within the first week
of class. This will allow you and the instructor ample opportunities to make
arrangement for taking notes, completion of assignment and examinations.
Other Policies: You should exchange contact information with at least two of your
fellow students. These contacts should be used to learn about what you missed when
absent. Assignments may be posted on D2L .
Overview of Writing Assignment
There are two writing assignments which are worth 5 points each, for a total maximum
of 15 points. Please use APA standard style for your writing; please use Arial, font size
11 or 12, 1 inch margins (top/bottom/left/right), double spacing when writing your
papers. Each paper requires 3-7 pages of writing.
Paper 1- What was my experience at a council meeting?
 Attend a city council, county, or school board meeting open to the public which
has an agenda made available for the public. This paper must be 3-5 pages in
length and you must submit a copy of the agenda with the paper. In your paper
address:
o Your overall impression of the meeting
o Summarize what occurred during the meeting (identify key topics as well
as address if there was any interaction with the public)
o Your opinion of how the chair conducted the meeting and how the chair
interacted with the rest of the members and public (if applicable)
o Your opinion on how the rest of the elected-body and the appointed-body
interacted with each other, to the chair, and to members in the audience.
o Suggestions you would give to the chair to help them run the meeting
more efficiently (if applicable)
o Any other observations you would like to share about the meeting (as it
relates with what you have learned in class)
Paper 2- What was my Service-Learning experience?
 Write a reflection paper that details your experiences, views, observations and
analysis of the service learning experience.
o Details should include the organizational mission, the structure, the
leadership style, the “feel” of the organization
o What you learned about service learning and leadership
o What you would do differently, etc. Some things to consider when writing
this paper are:
 how did you feel working there?
 Would you work there again?
 What did you learn that surprised you?
 How important is service work to the community?
 How important was your contribution to the service organization?
 What did you learn about your leadership throughout this
experience?
Paper Rubric– 5 points max (per assignment)
Exceeds Expectations
Spelling, Grammar and No spelling, grammar, or
Punctuation - max 15% punctuation mistakes
Content - max 80%
Provides an intro; body and
conclusion; addresses all
bulleted items in a clear and
concise manner; articulates
an insightful and thoughtful
response to bulleted items
asking for the students
thoughts and impressions
Citation - 5%
Includes properly cited
sources to APA standards
throughout and at the end
of the paper
Meets Expectations
Needs Improvement
Multiple grammar,
A few spelling, punctuation punctuation, or
or grammar mistakes
spelling mistakes
Adequately covers or
misses parts of the
assignment; response to
the items asking for the
student to give their
thoughts or impressions is
there or partly missing
Includes or is missing some
of the source(s) throughout
and at the end of the
paper; sources are not
properly cited
Largely missing or not
responding to many of
the bulleted items;
student does not
provide any response
to the items where
they are asked to give
a thought or
impression
Does not include any
of the sources
throughout or at the
end of the paper
Overview of Current Event Assignments
Please write a summary of the article and your own thoughts and impressions, as it
relates to class. Please attach a copy of the article or a copy of the web address with
your summary. Each Current Event Assignment should be no more than 1-3 pages in
length.




Find an article (newspaper, magazine, or on the internet) of which an
organization (not for profit) is discussing values, mission statements, and/or
goals. Explain why the organization is undergoing this discussion and your
thoughts and reflection on if the discussion will bring overall success to the
organization.
Find an article (newspaper, magazine, or on the internet) in which the writer is
using one or more of the identified false logics and biases (as mentioned during
class.) Please write a summary of the article and specifically identify which false
logic and biases the writer is using (if you feel there are more than one please
note which ones in your summary.) Also, identify what you feel is the purpose
or reasoning behind the writer wanting to use this (or these) particular false
logic(s) and bias(es.)
Choose a newspaper, magazine, or professional journal article in which an
organization is undergoing a civic engagement process to collect input. Explain
what kind of engagement they are pursuing and what they are trying to achieve
through the engagement process.
Find an article where an organization is changing leadership and describe what
that will mean to the organization?
Current Event Rubric - 3 points max (per assignment)
Overview of Readings
Exceeds Expectations
Spelling, Grammar and
Punctuation - max 15%
No spelling, grammar, or
punctuation mistakes
Provides an overall
summary of the article;
clearly articulates the key
point(s) of the article;
Summary of the current clearly relates the article to
events - max 40%
the assignment
Impression is well
articulated; a thoughtful
and well interpreted
approach is made to relate
the article to what we have
learned or discussed in class
Impression of each
and its relevance as an
assignment - max 40% assignment
Citation - 5%
Includes properly cited
sources to APA standards at
the end of the paper
Meets Expectations
Needs Improvement
Multiple grammer,
A few spelling, punctuation punctuation, or
or grammar mistakes
spelling mistakes
Not giving enough detail to
adequately summarize the
article; does an adequate
job relating the article to
the assignment
Summary of the article
is poorly established;
cannot relate the
article to the
assignment
Impression is laid out in a
satisfactory manner. An
adequate response is made
on how the article relates
to what we have learned or An impression is not
discussed in class and its
provided, unclear or
relevance as an assignment undeveloped
Includes or is missing some
of the source(s) at the end Does not include a
of the paper; sources are
source at the end of
not properly cited
the paper
Readings from the Civically Engaged Reader
Read each set of readings and write a minimum of two paragraphs on each reading.
Your paper should include a summary and a reflection of each reading. Your paper
should conclude with an impression on how you feel the readings relates to being an
effective community leader. Each paper should be no more than 2 – 3 pages in length.
The paper can be written in a single or double spaced format. The maximum points
for each reading assignment are 3 points.
Reading Set #1:
•
•
•
CAVAFY – WAITING FOR THE BARBARIANS
TURNER – I SHALL NOT BEG FOR MY RIGHTS
KAFKA - FELLOWSHIP
Reading Set #2:
•
•
•
W.E.B. DU BOIS – THE SOULS OF BLACK FOLK
HUGHES – THEME FOR ENGLISH B
FROST – MENDING WALL
Reading Set #3:



DRY DOCK
THE SUBJECTIVE NECESSITY OF SOCIAL SETTLEMENT
THE LOVERS OF THE POOR
Reading Set #4:
•
•
•
IF ALL WHO HAVE BEGGED HELPED, ANNA AKHMATOVA
A BED FOR THE NIGHT, BERTOLT BRECHT
WHERE WERE WE, DAVE EGGERS
Reading Set #5:
•
•
•
THE LESSON
THE HISTORY TEACHER
SECOND INAUGURAL ADDRESS
Reading Assignment Rubric - 3 points max (per assignment)
Spelling, Grammar and
Punctuation - max 10%
Exceeds Expectations
Meets Expectations
Needs Improvement
No spelling, grammar, or
punctuation mistakes
A few spelling,
punctuation or
grammar mistakes
Multiple grammar,
punctuation, or
spelling mistakes
Summary for all three
readings are
adequately
Summary for all three
established ; briefly
readings are well
explains main key
established ; clearly
Summary of Readings - max articulates main key theme theme or point of each
reading
or point of each reading
30%
Impression is well
articulated; a thoughtful
and well interpreted
Impression of Each Reading - meaning of each story was
presented
max 30%
Conclusion- max 30%
Conclusion is well
articulated; message relates
to something learned in
class, from the text or other
readings, or from other
learned experiences
Impression is
satisfactory
articulated; a basic or
brief meaning of each
story was presented
Impression is not
articulated, unclear or
undeveloped
Conclusion is
satisfactory; message
relates to something
learned in class, from
Conclusion is not
the text or other
readings, or from other articulated, unclear or
undeveloped
learned experiences
Course Calendar
To be handled out at the beginning of class
Summary for all three
readings are poorly
established ; missing
main key theme or
point of each reading