Spring 2012
Syllabus Capstone Class Corr 497
Dr. William F. Wagner
AH 113; Phone 507-389-5602. Main Office 507-389-1561
Email William.wagner@mnsu.edu
Course Overview:
The Capstone Class is a vehicle for gaining a broader understanding of the field of
corrections by the sharing of experiences in various correctional settings. A single internship
will not give a general understanding of all the unique aspects of correctional work or a sense of
the various perspectives and “cultures” that motivate agency behavior. By sharing the
experiences students have in these correctional settings we all gain a better understanding of the
possibilities and the need for collaboration in being effective in realizing the vision that drives
correctional work.
The class also calls on students to reflect on the knowledge gained in the four years of
study in college. The class also asks us to reflect on skills and understandings gained through the
general education curriculum, the minor discipline and through the study of corrections and offer
critique of the program of study from the vantage point you enjoy in a correctional setting.
The discussion board for each week allows students to share experiences, ask questions
and record insights. It is expected that we all will contribute to the discussion board, read the
posts and respond to others. This is a chance for us to encourage each other and develop a sense
of pride in the class as we take our first steps into corrections. You never know which one of
you will be the Commissioner of Corrections someday.
The Field Practice Paper gives you a format for reflecting on this experience. You might
begin to develop this paper now and share with others as it builds. The field practice paper
outline is contained within your packet and @.....
http://sbs.mnsu.edu/soccorr/corrections/fieldexperience.html and a guideline of questions and/or
topics are provided to assist in completing the final paper.
Course Requirements:
1. Attend four capstone seminar meetings. You will be notified of the scheduled dates as they
are set. Be sure to check your emails and D2L (for this course) on a regular basis for the
meeting dates/locations and addresses. Take advantage of locations or settings that you have
not visited during your time on campus such as probation offices, group homes, prisons, etc.
you may not get a chance in the future.
This semester we will meet at MSU on January 27 at 2:30 pm. Our other capstone days will be
Feb. 24th, March 2nd, March 23rd, April 6th (two out of these four) and we will schedule these at
intern sites. Begin to talk to your mentors to see if your site might work for a capstone meeting.
You will need a room for about 20 people (have to prepare for all) and it would be very nice if
the mentor and his/her director/supervisor would give us a presentation about the agency.) Then
the last capstone meeting will be Monday April 23 at MSU. We will all present at 11:00am and
5:00 pm in the foundations classes for both foundation students and the faculty of the corrections
program. More direction will be provided, but you will be asked to develop a five slide
PowerPoint. For the on campus meetings come to the Sociology and Corrections Dept. Office to
get direction to our meeting room.
3. Submit a learning contract (you and your supervisor should go over this) to the drop box
provided on D2L. Include a statement that your mentor/supervisor has reviewed and approved it.
Indicate the date of that approval. Please have this completed as soon as possible the start of the
third week of your internship is a reasonable deadline.
4. Stay active on the weekly discussion boards. Share your experiences, talk to your classmates,
ask for advice, encourage each other. Have a little fun as well.
5. You will need to submit weekly, a journal of your daily activities during your field practice on
line through the drop boxes on D2L. Include statements as to what you are learning, specific
experiences, and your thoughts about daily activities. After you explanation of what you are
doing speak to what you learn by the experiences. This is very important. Remember at first,
everything seems to be overwhelming, so be sure to use your journal to vent or release any
excitement or frustrations you are experiencing. This is your journal. Submit the weekly journal
to the appropriate drop box prior to Monday morning of each week.
6. Your will have two field practice papers, the last one is due on the last day of your field
practice placement. The date for the first report will be given to you by your instructor. A drop
box will be provided.
7. Written evaluation of your field practice performance by your intern mentor/supervisor. This
is also due as soon as possible after you complete your field practice. Be sure to remind your
mentor/supervisor this is necessary for your final grade.
8. Consider your responsibility in educating the Foundations and Orientations to Corrections
class as to future correctional internships.
Thank you. Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have a better
idea about how this can go. I would like your input. This is an experience that is very important
to you, the program and to the work we do in corrections. Please expect my assistance with this
experience. I am fairly busy, but you are a priority for me and for our program!
Thank you
Bill