University of Indianapolis
Department of Modern Languages
Service Learning Lab Semester I, 2014
Languages without Borders, LANG 300
(1-4 credits)
Prof: Peter Vakunta, PhD
Classroom: TBD
Office Hours: By appointment
Meeting Hours: M-R 3:00-6:00pm
Email:vakuntap@uindy.edu
Office: Sease Wing 001A
Phone: 317-791-5614
Course Rationale
One of the cardinal objectives of a college or university is to inculcate a sense of civic
responsibility into learners. More than ever before, there is increasing need for educators
to create a visible connection between civic education and service learning acquired during
years of undergraduate and graduate studies. Most importantly, there is mounting
expectation that educators would be charged with the responsibility of preparing students
for leading edge certification—education that equips learners with the wherewithal to utilize
technology tools, resources, and innovative solutions to advance their own achievement prospects,
foster productivity, and extend opportunities for all. Languages without Borders addresses one
of the key objectives of Vision 2030 of the University Indianapolis, namely to transform the
institution from a university-as-island to a university-as-anchor by creating ample
opportunities for students and faculty to engage with each other through increased
participation in undergraduate research, mentoring and advisement.
Course Description
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Languages without Borders is a professional edge project that aims to empower learners
with tools needed to succeed at school and later on in professional life. Students and
mentors will create Centers of Excellence (ACEs) at selected schools close to the University
of Indianapolis (UIndy). The purpose of these centers will be to expose students to
experiential learning, and initiate collaboration between foreign language professors at the
University of Indianapolis and world language instructors elementary and middles schools.
This joint venture will build a bridge between UIndy and the surrounding community, as
well as a recruitment tool for the institution.
Course objectives
o Expose students to experiential learning and leading edge education.
o Foster second language acquisition through immersion programs.
o Provide tutoring in world languages (French, German and Spanish).
o Emphasize applied learning in K12 education.
o Provide academic counseling and advisement to students who are struggling with
vocabulary retention, grammar mastery, listening comprehension, and other
aspects of foreign language learning.
o Provide UIndy students with opportunities to obtain leading edge certification
o Empower students with of knowledge of self-awareness regarding their own
abilities and limitations.
o Increase students’ knowledge of volunteering as a life skill vital for social cohesion.
Succeeding in the course
To be successful in this course, students must adhere to all course requirements. Thirty
(30) hours of service are required for success in this course. Thirty (30) percent of your
grade in this course will be based on attendance and participation, twenty (20) percent for
attendance at three classroom sessions, ten (10) percent for your reflective journal, fifteen
(15) percent for reflection paper and presentation, fifteen (15) percent for participation at
the Service Learning Expo and Celebration and ten (10) percent for successful completion
of assigned tasks. The attendance grade is 100%, and will go down 5 points for each
unexcused absence. Your instructor will accept two unexcused absences, and then take 5
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points for every following unexcused absence. Consistent participation, preparation and
timely completion of tasks are essential for success in this course. Students who miss the
equivalent of ten (10) days of attendance in a row, for whatever reason, are subject to
academic withdrawal from the course. It is your responsibility to let the instructor know, at
least a day in advance, if you cannot be at your assigned duty station on a particular day.
Your instructor will decide whether the notice of absence is valid for a make-up without
lowering your grade.
Expected Academic Conduct
o Dress appropriately for duty. Students must adhere to the institution’s dress code at
all times. When in doubt about what to wear— always ask.
o Conduct yourself in a professional manner at all times. Always bear in mind that you
are an ambassador of UIndy at the school or agency where you have been assigned a
task to perform. This includes strict adherence to confidentiality and respect toward
students, staff and instructors.
o Perform assigned tasks effectively and timely. It is understood that as a student,
guidance and assistance may be required. This notwithstanding, the onus is upon
you to seek help, consult with faculty to seek solutions to problems. Students must
be proactive in communicating needs, frustrations, and challenges directly to Site
Supervisors. Common problems that students tend to raise with Site supervisors are
scheduling conflicts, job expectations, inexperience in service performance,
uncertainties pertaining to appropriate ways of communicating with Site
supervisors and support staff. Assertiveness and pro-action are vital skills in service
learning, and in professional life for that matter. This course provides learners with
ample opportunities to improve on these life-skills.
Services for Students with Disabilities
If you have a disability that may have some impact on your work in this class and for which
you may require accommodations, please inform me immediately so that learning needs
for you may be appropriately met. Students with a disability must register with the
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Services for Students with Disabilities office (SSD) in Schweitzer Center 206 by calling
(317)788-6153 or via HYPERLINK http://www.uindy.edu/ssd"www.uindy.edu/ssd) for
disability verification and for determination of reasonable academic accommodations.
Please, note that the burden lies with students to initiate arrangements for
accommodations for assignments in collaboration with the SSD and the faculty.
How you will be graded in this course
Grading Formula
Calculation of the final grade for this course will be as follows:
Field Attendance & Participation
30%
Attendance at three classroom sessions
20%
Reflective Journal
10%
Paper and Presentation
15%
Participation at the Service Learning Expo & Celebration
15%
Completion of all assigned tasks
10%
Grading Scale
93 and above
90-92
87-89
83-86
80-82
77-79
A
AB+
B
BC+
4
C
73-76
C-
70-72
D+
67-69
D
63-66
D-
60-62
59 and below

F
Reflective Journaling
Using a journal regularly is one way to make time for reflection. A reflective journal can
help you cultivate thoughtfulness and inquiry. It also provides raw material for your
working portfolio and an ongoing record of your learning curve. We suggest that you
dedicate enough time to recording and reflecting on your experiences, thoughts, struggles
and insights as you move along your learning path. A reflective journal is not a diary,
resource book, or log of daily activities. It is a place to record your experiences and reflect
on them privately. You are not required to show it to others or submit it for review.
Regardless of the style you choose, your journal should help you explore questions for
inquiry that are important to you, record significant experiences, including associated
feelings and thoughts; analyze patterns and relationships; appreciate learning and
celebrate success. It is highly recommended that students do daily journal entries rather
than procrastinate and attempt to write notes down in the nick of time. This sort of
journaling is counter-productive and ill-advised.

Class Presentation and School Profile
Every student enrolled in this course is required to do a presentation which will be a
narrative about the school or facility in which s/he student has been assigned. The
student should include all of the information cited in order to do well in this
assignment. Visual aids such as organizational charts and documentation samples are
encouraged. Although the grade you earn will be based primarily on the quality of your
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presentation, students are urged to provide a written outline of the school or
institutional profile at the time of the presentation. Creativity and innovation are highly
encouraged. Presenters will each have 15-20 minutes to do their presentations.
3. Service Learning Expo and Celebration
Every student enrolled in this course is required to participate in the UIndy Service
Learning Expo and Celebration at the lower level of Schwitzer Center. This expo
provides the opportunity for students to showcase their service work in the community
and to celebrate how UIndy students are changing lives through service learning. A
guest lecturer will give a talk focusing on UIndy's engagement in the community. The
Expo will last thirty (30) minutes and you are also required to be present during the
quest speaker’s presentation. You will then be given time to present your project at the
booth.
4. Class Participation and Final Evaluation Forms
There will be three classroom sessions during the semester. It is mandatory for
students to attend and fully participate in these sessions. Attendance at these sessions
counts for 20% of your final grade in this course. A final evaluation of the course must
be completed prior to being awarded a grade in the course. An evaluation of the school
or facility to which to you are assigned has to be completed as well.
NB: The instructor reserves the right to alter this schedule at any time to better
accommodate the needs of students
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