Student Involvement- Orientation and Transition
UNVS 96E: Leadership and Change
Course Syllabus, Spring 2015
Class Information:
Course Title: UNVS 96E: Leadership and Change
Date/Time: Tuesdays 4:30-7:15pm
Location:
Sweeney Hall 312
Instructor:
Jackie Gardner
Leadership Development Coordinator, Student Involvement
Office Hours:
By appointment - please call or email:
Office phone: 408.924.5963
Office email: jacqueline.gardner@sjsu.edu
Office location: Clark Hall #140
Reading Materials:
The Student Leadership Challenge: Second Edition
By: James Kouzes & Barry Posner
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This class is designed for students who have been selected to serve as orientation staff for San
José State University. Through lectures, exercises, group projects and readings, students will
learn the theoretical and practical aspects of leadership. Students will receive training in
university policies and procedures and other skill building areas pertinent to their role as
student orientation staff. They will also have an opportunity to develop a thorough working
knowledge of the resources and services available to new students. Material utilized in the
classroom will be applicable to the students’ leadership experiences.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
1. To examine theoretical perspectives and applications of student leadership;
2. To strengthen existing skills and develop new skills in leadership;
3. To prepare class members for their role in various student leadership positions and
beyond
4. To develop an awareness of and sensitivity to diverse populations and leadership styles;
5. To utilize theories and concepts learned in class and apply them to practical aspects of
their collegiate experience.
Expectations
 Arrive promptly
 Be respectful of presenters
 Be prepared
 Stay positive
 Use active listening skills
 Be present
REQUIRED TEXTS & MATERIALS:
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1) The Student Leadership Challenge: Second Edition By: James Kouzes & Barry Posner
2) Participation in Canvas, which carries all course content and discussion boards
3) Personal calendar/date book (Can be purchased at the Spartan Bookstore)
4) SJSU email account that you check regularly. Will be used for the official class/staff email
distribution list
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Responsibility - Students are responsible for all materials presented including lectures, films,
slides, guest speakers, panel presentations, projects and all assigned readings. In addition,
students are responsible for bringing proper materials to each class.
Attendance/Participation - This course is heavily experiential and interactive. Therefore,
attendance and participation in each class is imperative. The success of the course and the
benefits students receive depend on the experiences and opportunities provided during class.
Students are expected to have completed the assigned reading and assignments before class and
participate in class discussion. Please arrive on time, class begins at 4:30pm.
If a student misses any part of class/training, he/she is expected to notify the instructor of the
absence ahead of time, at least 24 hours in advance. It is the student’s responsibility to pick
up homework assignments and the information covered in class before the next class session.
At any time the instructor has the prerogative to evaluate a staff member’s performance and
ask that person to step down from his/her position, and withdraw him/her from the class, if it
is deemed necessary.
Assignments - Students will be asked to complete various types of assignments aimed at
learning/applying course material.
1. Reading Reflections/Discussion Questions– Reading assignments will be assigned on a
weekly basis. Prior to class (by 12pm every Tuesday), students must read the assignment and
complete a reflection posted to Canvas, as well as respond to one reflection posted by
classmates. Assignments help evaluate the student’s comprehension of the material. This
practice is also a good method for students to pick out the most relevant parts of the reading to
keep for quick reference. Reflections do NOT summarize even; rather they should answer the questions:
What? So what? Now what? An ideal reflection would demonstrate contextual understanding of an
experience, reflect on it’s significance, and discuss future applications of the knowledge gained.
2. Leadership in the News- Your job is to find an article from a reputable news source that
shows an example of leadership (good or bad) in the world. This article must be recent, within
3 months. You will sign up for a date in class to present on your article. The presentation (1520 mins) must include a summary and at least three discussion questions. You should provide
your audience with a copy of the article. You must also turn in a two(2) page summary and
reflection on the article.
2. Papers – Throughout the semester you will be asked to complete three papers aimed at
creating in-depth understanding of the course material. Each of these papers must be typed, 12point font, one inch margins three to five pages, double-spaced. There will be no make up.
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Lifeline of Leadership
In order to know where you are going on your leadership journey, it is important to know
where you came from. In the Lifeline of Leadership Reflection paper you are asked to explore,
define, and reflect on your past leadership experiences, both in college and out of college.

Explore:
Where did your leadership come from? Who motivated you to seek a life of
leadership? What specific events encouraged you to step up and take the lead? Where
did your leadership experience start at SJSU?

Define:
What does the term "leadership" mean to you? Based on your life experiences to this
point, what is your personal philosophy of leadership? What do you hope to learn about
yourself and your abilities this semester as a leader?
My Leadership Platform
Over the past semester you have learned about many facets of leadership. You have learned
how certain leadership theories guide practice, gotten a chance to grow your leadership skills
through a presentation and taken a look back on your own journey and how you got here. This
course has allowed you to explore and define leadership from many different angles and
through different lenses.
This platform is the capstone of your experience. A person’s platform is what they stand for or
believe based on experiences they have had. As you are aware, many leaders have platforms
including politicians, teachers, athletes, and musicians.
In this reflection you are asked to state, analyze and discuss your leadership platform including
what you believe in, value, are passionate about and how your leadership skills have changed
and/or remained the same this semester.


Define:
What is your personal leadership philosophy and/or definition? How has this changed
over the past semester? What specific parts of The Student Leadership Challenge or
additional resources/theories have guided your practice as a leader this semester?
Explore:
Where are you “right now” in terms of your own personal leadership? What have you
learned from this experience so far this semester? What are you passionate about
getting involved in or taking away from this course? How will you change your student
organization or leadership path after this course? What have you learned about yourself
this semester? How will you continue to lead at SJSU?
3. Leadership Development and Skills Training Presentation – This project will require
your group to present one of the five Student Leadership Tenants to the new orientation
leaders. Your group will be responsible for highlighting the content and meaning of the specific
portion of the Student Leadership Challenge and how it connects to their orientation role and
pertains to incoming students and families. Along with your presentation, your group must
provide one handout (40 copies) that outlines your presentation and summarizes key
information. On the assigned date, your group will give a presentation and help teach the new
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orientation leaders (60 minutes). Your presentation must include at least one activity and
should connect to the SJSU orientation experience.
CRITERIA FOR ORAL PRESENTATIONS:
Your group will be graded based on presentation of resource topic. Presentations are
designed to help you develop your analytical and presentation skills to help better prepare
you for your role as a student leader and beyond your time here at SJSU. Presentations will
be announced in advance. Students will be evaluated as a group on the following criteria:
Technical Explanation: Understanding of topic
Oral Presentation: Preparation, Effectiveness of presentation, Group cooperation
Professionalism: Appearance, language, attitude
3. One-on-One meetings – This assignment requires each student to schedule and complete
one-on-one meetings. These meetings are required but it is recommended that all students
check-in as much as needed. You will bring a two (2) page reflection with your thoughts on the
class and your growth up until that point. This will help provide feedback for the next year’s
course as well as a way for the professor to assess where you are in terms of content.
4. Exams- There will be two exams (a midterm and final) during the semester covering
reading assignments and/or materials covered in class/small group discussion sessions.
5. Awareness Assignments (Extra Credit)- You will have the opportunity to opt-in on
several optional training opportunities. These short training opportunities will better prepare
you for your role as a student leader and student mentor of our Spartan community, along with
learning tools and resources that SJSU offers to help better support our student community.
You will be expected to attend the entire training and write a 2 page reflection assignment of
your experience and how you will use the training and tools to enhance your experience and
better support your fellow peers at SJSU. Each training is worth 10 points and you can earn up
to 30 points. Trainings will be held on every Friday from 2pm-5pm in Clark Hall #140
beginning March 7th -21st. Papers are due the Monday following the training to receive credit.
Late Assignments – Late assignments will be accepted up to one week after the assignment is
due, and assessed a mandatory 10% deduction in points for each day the assignment is late.
After one week, late assignments will not be accepted. In order to receive credit and maintain
status as an Orientation Staff member, students must complete the course requirements stated
above and receive the grade of B or better. If the course requirements are not met according to
the point criteria and your agreement, your employment will be terminated.
Point System - Grades will be determined on a 1000-point system. You may review the points
you have earned at any point during the semester by meeting with the instructor outside of
class.
Orientation Leader Point Breakdown:
Reading Reflections (11 @ 20 points each)
Department Project/Presentation
220
100
4
Leadership in the News
30
Lifeline of Leadership Paper
100
My Leadership Platform
200
One-on-One Meetings with Reflections (2 @ 10 points each)
20
Participation and Discussion
20
Midterm
110
Final Exam
200
____________________________________________________________
Total Points:
1000
Extra Credit: Awareness Training Assignments 10 points ea. up to:
GRADING SCALE
Final grades will be determined as follows:
Points
Grade
1000 – 970
A+
969 – 930
A
929 – 900
A899 – 870
B+
869 – 830
B
829 – 800
B799 – 770
C+
Points
769 – 730
729 – 700
699– 670
669 – 630
629 – 600
599 – Below
30
Grade
C
CD+
D
DF
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
Your own commitment to learning, as evidenced by your enrollment at San Jose State
University, and the University’s Academic Integrity Policy requires you to be honest in all
your academic course work. Faculty members are required to report all infractions to the Office
of Student Conduct and Ethical Development. The policy can be found at
(http://sa.sjsu.edu/download/judicial_affairs/Academic_Integrity_Policy_S07-2.pdf ).
ACCOMMODATIONS
If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, or if you need special
arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment with me as
soon as possible, or see me during office hours. Presidential Directive 97-03 requires that
students with disabilities requesting accommodations must register with AEC to establish a
record of their disability.
COURSE TIMELINE: (Please note that the course calendar is “subject to change with fair
notice”)
*All assignments are due on the dates as listed.
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