MCSP Course Guide:
Winter 2011
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Table of Contents
MCSP Course List & Descriptions
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First-Year Seminars- Required
“Learning in Community” Courses- Required
English Courses- Highly Recommended
Special Electives- Optional
As part of the MCSP academic curriculum, students are required to enroll and complete at
least three MCSP course requirements during the academic year. In fall term students are
required to enroll in 1) UC 102 and either 2) an MCSP-linked First-Year Seminar or 3) a
“Learning in Community” Course (see the approved list). In winter term MCSP students will
enroll in the course option they did not complete fall term, either 1) an MCSP-linked First-Year
Seminar or 2) a “Learning in Community” Course (see the approved list). In addition, students
are highly encouraged to enroll in an MCSP English or Math section either fall or winter term.
On the following pages are the descriptions for all of these courses.
Faculty Biographies
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George Cooper
Mark Creekmore
Joseph Galura
Maurita Holland
Louis Nagel
Ed Sarath
David Schoem
Luis Sfeir-Younis
Jeff Stanzler
Wendy Woods
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MCSP Course List: Winter 2011
First-Year Seminars - Required
1. Sociology of Multiculturalism- Luis Sfeir-Younis- SOC 295.002, Tues. 5:30-8:30pm
2. Michigan Matters- Maurita Holland & Jeff Stanzler- EDUC 364.001, Tues. 1-4pm
3. Creativity, Consciousness, & Education- Ed Sarath- JAZZ 455.001, Tues. 7-9:30pm
4. Empowering Families & Communities- Creekmore- PSYCH 319.001, Tues. 6-9pm
5. Music in Our Lives- Louis Nagel- UC 150.001, M&W 4-5:30pm
“Learning in Community” Courses - Required
1. Sociology 389: Project Community
*All sections are approved for MCSP credit, but sections 111, 112 113, 210 & 505 are highly
recommended.
2. Psychology 211: Project Outreach
*Sections 001, 002, 003, and 004 are approved for MCSP credit, but Section 005 is not.
3. Psychology/Sociology/UC 122: Intergroup Dialogue
*Any dialogue topic is acceptable, but before enrolling, you must complete an online request at
www.igr.umich.edu
4. Engineering 100.200: Design in the Next Generation
*Only section 200 with Jason Daida counts for MCSP credit.
5. Engineering 490.009: Social Venture Creation
*Before enrolling, you must contact Amy Goldstein (afgoldst@umich.edu) for an application.
MCSP English Courses – Highly Recommended
1. Walking the Ground: Writing the Life-George Cooper- ENG 125.038,
Tues.& Thurs. 10-11:30am
Special Elective MCSP Course Offerings - Optional
1. Academic Decision Making-Wendy Woods- University Course 103.001, Tues. 2-4pm
2. Sociology of the American Jewish Community- David Schoem- Sociology 410.001, M&W
2:30-4pm
*Before enrolling, you must request an override from David.
3. Calculus I- MATH 115.013 and Calculus II- MATH 116.035
*Although these sections are not taught by MCSP professors, they each have 3 spaces reserved
for MCSP students.
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Detailed Course Descriptions
First-Year Seminars- Required
1. Sociology of Multiculturalism
Luis Sfeir-Younis, Sociology 295.002, Class # 27969
(3 credits), Tuesdays 5:30-8:30pm, EQ Room Tyler 24-26
The purpose of the course is to provide students with specific multicultural conflict management
and resolution skills. Students will learn techniques that can be useful in identifying,
understanding, and solving conflicts in more just, peaceful, sustainable, structural, and ethical
ways, particularly among individuals with membership in groups of diverse class, race/ethnic,
gender, sexual orientation, citizenship, and other identity backgrounds. Our goal is to create a
teaching/learning environment that promotes a deeper understanding of the changing, complex,
and conflictive nature of inter-group relations. This environment will promote dialogue,
cooperation, learning, and transformation. We will explore mechanisms and strategies that turn
stratified, dominant, and unjust differences into differences that enrich personal life, social
relationships, our society, and our world. The course’s pedagogy involves students and teachers
as partners in learning. It is based on the principle that learning and teaching is a cooperative and
dialogic process that incorporates valuable contributions from all. Readings, two exams, keeping
a journal, participating in a dialogue-group project, and writing a course portfolio of your
learning in this class are among the course requirements.
*This course does count as an MCSP seminar, but it is not listed as an LSA first-year seminar.
2. Michigan Matters
Maurita Holland & Jeff Stanzler, Education 364.001, Class #28620
(3 credits), Tuesdays 1-4pm, Room 2328 School of Education
Web-Based Mentorship: Students assume character roles in virtual, online storybooks focused
on Michigan's history and cultural life as they mentor elementary school students. They explore
questions of the intelligent use of information resources and engage in reflection on the nature of
teaching and learning; students also carry out web-based project design work and interact with
classroom teachers across the state in their mentorship activity. The class includes site visits to
some participating schools.
*This course does count as an MCSP seminar, but it is not listed as an LSA first-year seminar.
*This course is not listed in the LSA course guide, but you can register on Wolverine Access.
*LSA students can receive credit for this course, but it counts as non-LSA credit. Students in
other schools & colleges should check with their academic advisors about receiving credit.
3. Creativity, Consciousness & Education
Ed Sarath, Jazz 455.001
(2 credits), Tuesdays 7-9:30pm, EQ CLC/Benzinger Library
What is knowledge? What does it mean to be educated in today’s world? What is the role of
the modern university in preparing students to not only enter the workforce but also to thrive
within and contribute to a world increasingly characterized by change, unpredictability, and a
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complex network of environmental and social challenges that raise unprecedented questions
about the very sustainability of civilization? What is the place of inner fulfillment, spirituality,
self-knowledge, and emotional and interpersonal development in the educational process? This
course explores the idea that heightened consciousness may be a central aspect to creative
activity in diverse fields.
*This course does count as an MCSP seminar, but it is not listed as an LSA first-year seminar.
*Although this is a 400-level course, it is appropriate and recommended for first-year students.
*To enroll, please contact the instructor at sarahara@umich.edu for permission. He is saving
several spaces for MCSP students.
4. Empowering Families & Communities
Mark Creekmore, Psychology 319.001, Class # 22964
(4 Credits), Tuesdays 6-9pm, 1068 East Hall
The goal of this course is to teach students the process of family and community empowerment
with didactic and experiential coursework as well as practical community fieldwork. Students
will meet as a class, one day a week. Students will choose a Detroit area field placement. The
class is structured as follows: the first half of the class period will be devoted to class discussion
of specific topics augmented by readings, experiential exercises, guest speakers, and videos; the
second half of the class period will be devoted to discussions related to fieldwork. Students will
be expected to discuss issues specific to their placement and to incorporate ideas from didactic
materials with their field experiences. The grade for PSYCH 319 is based on three components;
the midterm paper, the final project, and class attendance and participation.
*This course does count as an MCSP seminar, but it is not listed as an LSA first-year seminar.
*This course resembles Lorraine Gutierrez’s fall semester course, Psychology 317.
5. Music in Our Lives
Louis B Nagel, University Course 150.001, Class # 12880
(3 credits), Mondays & Wednesdays 4-5:30pm, EQ Room 126
How do people listen to music and how does it affect them? How does music respond to and
inspire society? This seminar will focus on how people listen to music and music's impact on
communities of people who listen to it. In the first weeks of the course, students will learn how
to listen to music and explore the interaction of different elements of music, such as rhythm,
melody, and harmony. As we begin to listen to a wider range of music, we will explore the
impact of music in cases such as the Paris riot of 1913 following the performance of Stravinsky's
"Rite of Spring" or the reaction of King George to the "Hallelujah Chorus" at the conclusion of
Handel's "Messiah." We will consider the impact of popular music the Beatles and some rappers,
religious music, and the band as examples of how music has reached out into all types of
communities. Students will attend three musical events and write reviews of each based on
concepts explored in class. The professor will present and perform numerous examples of music
on the piano, there will be invited soloists and chamber ensembles, and students who wish may
share their musical talents in class.
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“Learning in Community” Courses - Required
1. Sociology 389: Project Community
Students combine up to six hours of weekly service in community settings with weekly studentled seminars. Seminars are interactive, focus on readings about related sociological issues, and
provide a time for mutual support, planning, and problem solving about the community sites.
Students can choose sites focused on education, public health, gender & sexuality or criminal
justice. Those who have valid driver's licenses can rent vehicles through the Ginsberg Center
to transport themselves to the sites and carpooling is encouraged. Students will complete
reflective journal assignments, a short midterm written assignment, and a final paper/project.
Up to four credits of 389 may be included in a concentration plan in sociology.
*MCSP students may enroll in any section, but the following sections are highly recommended.
They have a long history of MCSP participation and MCSP students often enroll together.
111: AAPS Elementary After-School Tutoring, Northside Elementary
112: Peace Neighborhood Center, Mentoring Elementary & Middle School Students
113: Tutoring in Middle School Classrooms, Clauge School
210: University Living, Senior Assisted Living
505: LUCY (Lives of Urban Children & Youth)
2. Psychology 211: Project Outreach
The purpose of Project Outreach is to allow students to learn about themselves and psychology
by becoming involved in community settings. As an Outreach student, you may choose a
setting that focuses on youth development, criminal justice or health care. A graduate student
and faculty member will guide you and your peers through the learning cycle and make your
experience educational and enjoyable. Readings, a mid-term project, and a final exam will be
assigned. The Graduate Student Instructor for each section may state additional section
requirements in class. All sections of Outreach count as an experiential lab for the Psychology
concentration; they do not count as a lab for the Biopsychology and Cognitive Sciences
concentration. If you have questions, please stop by the Project Outreach office in 1343 East
Hall or call the office at 764-2580.
*MCSP students may enroll in any section of Psych 211 with the exception of Section 005.
3. Psychology/Sociology/UC 122: Program on Intergroup Relations (IGR)
In a multicultural society, discussion about group conflict, commonalities, and differences can
facilitate understanding and interaction between social groups. In this course, students will
participate in structured meetings of at least two different social identity groups, discuss
readings, and explore each group's experiences in social and institutional contexts. Students will
examine psychological, historical, and sociological materials which address each group's
experiences, and learn about issues facing the groups in contemporary society. The goal is to
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create a setting in which students will engage in open and constructive dialogue, learning, and
exploration. The second goal is to actively identify alternative resolutions of intergroup conflicts.
Past dialogues have focused on gender, white racial identity, multiracial identity, sexual
orientation, socioeconomic class, and religion.
*Interested students must fill out an online request at www.igr.umich.edu. Due to high demand,
students who do not attend the mass meeting on the first day of class will be dropped from the
course. Questions regarding this course should be directed to the Intergroup Relations Program,
936-1875, 3000 Michigan Union.
4. Engineering 100.200: Design in the Next Generation
(4 credits), Tuesdays & Thursdays 10-11:30, AUD CHRYS
Focused team projects dealing with technical, economic, safety, environmental, and social
aspects of a real-world engineering problem. Written, oral, and visual communication required
within the engineering profession; reporting on the team engineering projects. The role of the
engineer in society; engineering ethics. Organization and skills for effective teams.
*Only Section 200 counts for MCSP credit.
5. Engineering 490.009: Social Venture Creation Practicum
(3 credits), Fridays 10-12, 1123 LBME
Are you working on an innovative project or are you interested in partnering with UM engineers
on implementing a social innovation around health, food, education, or housing in both domestic
and global markets? If so, you should apply for the Social Venture Creation Practicum.
In this course, you will take steps to launch and implement a social innovation. By the end of this
course, student teams submit an implementation plan and make a presentation on a social
innovation to a panel of industry experts and potential funders. The course heavily applies a
human centric design thinking framework and process. The hope is that the students will be able
to implement innovations that can make real, long-lasting social impact. Open to all disciplines
at both the undergraduate and graduate level.
*By application only. To apply, contact Amy Goldstein (afgoldst@umich.edu).
MCSP English Courses- Highly Recommended
1. Walking the Ground: Writing the Life
George Cooper, English 125.038 (Introductory Composition), Class # 19687
(4 credits), First-Year Writing Requirement, Tues. & Thurs., 10-11:30am, EQ Room 122
Writing teachers have often expressed a preference for writing that "shows" an event rather
than "tells" about it. The movement now called "creative nonfiction" embodies something of
the showing and telling axiom, promoting well written and well-researched information that is
particularly designed to hold the interest of the reader -- that is, designed to show the
information rather than tell about it. This kind of writing might be contrasted with the
presentation of accurate information that is not particularly well written and that does not hold
the attention of the reader. Participants in this class will have a variety of opportunities to write
about experience in dramatic, persuasive, and humorous ways. This writing course will
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examine a variety of ways to "show" an experience in writing rather than "tell" about it. We
will also examine the problematic aspects of writing well, the politics of point of view, and how
writers, in their presentation of language, can appropriate and alter truth. Such considerations of
language and its use can and will enhance students' understanding of the nature of academic
thinking and writing, foster methods of invention, and support concepts of composition
appropriate to university studies and beyond.
MCSP Special Electives- Optional
1. Academic Decision Making
Wendy Woods, UC 103.001, Class #19777
1 credit (CR/NC), Tuesdays 2-4pm, EQ Room 52, January 25th- March 22nd
This course will provide students with an opportunity to critically review the roles of leadership
and decision-making as they relate to academic, student leadership positions, and professional
careers. It will allow students to consider various frameworks of decision-making and leadership
through various theoretical perspectives and link them to civic responsibility, social justice and
making change. It is hoped that students will develop a sense of application of one or more of
these perspectives and consider how they might shape their own academic, professional, and
community leadership careers. The issues and challenges of living and leading in a diverse and
multicultural society will be examined. The class discussions will focus on relevant research,
student perceptions, and university resources. This course is open only to participants in the
Michigan Community Scholars Program and encouraged for all MCSP student leaders.
*Open to all; course expectation for next year’s MCSP student leaders.
2. Sociology of the American Jewish Community
David Schoem, Sociology/Judaic Studies 410.001, Class #27867
(3 credits), Mondays & Wednesdays 2:30-4pm, 1339 Mason Hall
This course will explore the sociological literature on American Jewry as it examines the
conflicts and struggles of American Jews as they strive to maintain themselves in a pluralistic
society. In doing so, the course will explore topics such as Jewish identity, intergroup and
intragroup relations, group survival, relations with Israel and new understandings of diaspora,
and community structure and organization. Students will first look at the broader context of
American society, including issues of democratic values, religious freedom, and social
stratification. The class will review current issues facing the American Jewish Community as it
examines the lively tension between tradition and change. The course will be conducted
seminar style with an expectation of active student participation, including discussions and
presentations, as well as research and reflection papers.
*Interested MCSP Students should see David Schoem to request an override.
3. Calculus I: Math 115.013, (4 credits BS, MSA, QR/1)
*This section is not taught by an MCSP professor, but it has spaces reserved for MCSP students.
4. Calculus II: Math 116.035, (4 credits BS, MSA, QR/1)
*This section is not taught by an MCSP professor, but it has spaces reserved for MCSP students.
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Faculty Biographies
George Cooper
George is a Lecturer in the Department of English and teaches primarily in the Department’s Sweetland
Writing Center. Through the Writing Center, Mr. Cooper works with students and their writing in a
variety of venues. He works one-to-one with students in the Center’s Writing Workshop, a service for
students in LS&A courses who seek feedback with their writing. He co-coordinates and teaches in the
Peer Tutoring Program, a program of well-trained and diverse undergraduate writing tutors who consult
with their peers. And Mr. Cooper teaches the first year writing requirements, Practicum, for students
desiring an undergrad, writing intensive course, and Introductory Composition.
Mark Creekmore
Mark Creekmore is a teacher, researcher and policy practitioner. Over the last 15 years he has taught
social welfare policy and practice at the University of Michigan School of Social Work and currently is
teaching community psychology in UM Department of Psychology. He is founder and Executive
Director of Community Service Systems, Inc., a nonprofit organization that conducts evaluation research
with arts and social service agencies; these have included substance abuse, domestic violence and
violence prevention programs, juvenile drug courts, community development of children’s services,
police training, writing and literacy programs, among others. His focus has been to improve the quality of
service models using participatory action research. Creekmore graduated from Williams College and the
University of Michigan (MSW and Ph.D.).
Joseph A. Galura
A member of the First-Year Seminar Faculty in LS&A and Co-Director of LUCY: The Lives of Urban
Children and Youth Initiative (a two-year curricular pathway for students interested in teaching, urban
and community studies, or both), Joseph also serves as the Edward Ginsberg Center for Community
Service and Learning’s Director of Project Community (peer-facilitated service-learning courses in
Sociology). Additionally, he is a Faculty Associate in Asian/Pacific Islander American Studies, and a
Field Instructor at the School of Social Work. Recently Joseph’s articles have been published in
Teaching Sociology (2006), Teaching about Asian Pacific Americans (2006), Michigan Journal of
College Student Development (2005), and Integrating Service Learning and Multicultural Education in
Colleges and Universities (2000). His latest books are Filipino Women in Detroit: 1945-1955, with
Emily P. Lawsin (2002), Engaging the Whole of Service-Learning, Diversity, and Learning Communities,
edited with Penny A. Pasque, David Schoem and Jeffrey Howard (2004), and Tapestry: Filipinos in
Michigan, 1900-1950, also with Emily P. Lawsin (forthcoming).
Maurita Holland
Maurita Holland is an Associate Professor Emerita in the School of Information. In the fall term, Maurita
offers a graduate course with Jeff Stanzler in the Master of Arts with Secondary Certification (MAC)
Program in the School of Education; in the winter term, they offer an undergraduate "Michigan
Matters/ImagineNation Matters" service learning course. No stranger to MCSP, Maurita has previously
taught a freshmen seminar, "A Sense of Place," which focused on real and virtual space and community.
She has worked with Native American tribes (Navajo, Crow, Ojibway) and the National Museum of the
American Indian. When she's not on campus, Maurita volunteers with various conservation and ecology
groups on bioreserve assessment projects; she's also an ardent locavor!
Louis Nagel
Louis combines an active concert and teaching schedule and is noted for his lecture-recitals for musicians,
school children and retirees. He has performed in highly acclaimed solo recitals and concerto concerts in
major American and European cities. On the piano faculty at the University of Michigan School of Music,
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he has also taught at the Amalli Coast Festival in Italy, The National Music Camp in Warsaw, Poland and
the Adamant Music School in Adamant, Vermont. Dr. Nagel is a sought after presenter and clinician at
state and national conferences. Louis Nagel holds three degrees in piano performance from The Juilliard
School where his teachers included Rosina Lhevinne, Josef Raieff, and Joseph Bloch. Subsequent studies
were with Vladimir Ashkenazy. His CD, “Four Centuries of J.S. Bach” has been praised by Murray
Perahia and David Dubal. Dr. Louis Nagel is a Steinway artist.
Edward Sarath
Ed Sarath has emerged as a leading visionary in the fields of music, creativity, consciousness studies, and
educational reform. He divides his time between performing, composing, teaching and writing about the
aesthetic, cognitive and transpersonal aspects of the creative process. He has recorded with top luminaries
in the jazz world including David Liebman, Joanne Brackeen, Billy Hart, Cecil McBee, Karl Berger,
Marvin Smitty Smith, and Harvie Swarz.
David Schoem
David has served as the Director of the Michigan Community Scholars Program since 1999 and also
teaches in the Sociology Department. David teaches the MCSP-linked First-Year Seminar, “Identity and
Diversity: Community, Commitment, and Justice in a Democratic Society,” and upper level sociology
courses on intergroup relations, education, and the American Jewish Community. He has served in the
past as LSA Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Education and UM Assistant Vice President for Academic
and Student Affairs. His most recent book is College Knowledge for the Jewish Student: 101 Tips. He is
also co-editor with Joe Galura, Penny Pasque and Jeff Howard of Engaging the Whole of ServiceLearning, Diversity and Learning Communities, a book co-authored in large part by MCSP’s faculty,
students, staff and community partners. He also edited with Sylvia Hurtado, Intergroup Dialogue:
Deliberative Democracy in School, College, Community and Workplace.
Luis Sfeir-Younis
Luis Sfeir-Younis is a lecturer in sociology and he has taught a 200-level sociology course for MCSP
students for many years. He is a very popular professor, much-loved by his students and colleagues.
Jeff Stanzler
Jeff Stanzler is a lecturer at the University of Michigan School of Education and is the Director of the
Interactive Communications and Simulations (ICS) group, which facilitates several web-based writing
projects linking elementary, middle and high school students with peers worldwide, and with university
student mentors. Besides "Michigan Matters," Jeff runs three other projects, including the “Arab-Israeli
Conflict Simulation, ” “Earth Odyssey,” a social/cultural issues forum linked to vicarious travel, and
“Place out of Time,” a trans-historical simulation project. He is also on the faculty of the Master of Arts
with Secondary Certification (MAC) Program where he teaches a course on teaching with technology.
Wendy A. Woods
Wendy Woods is the Associate Director of the Michigan Community Scholars Program and teaches UC
102 and UC 103. She is a former member of the Ann Arbor City Council and represented the Fifth Ward
on the west side of the city. On City Council she served on the Planning Commission, Downtown
Marketing Task Force, and the Environmental Commission. She is a member of the University's Women
of Color Task Force, the Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs, the Ecology Center, the Sierra
Club, and The Links, Inc. Each of these groups is involved in addressing social ills, engaging the
community in participation, and making Ann Arbor a more livable and vibrant community. She warmly
encourages each student to get to know and to enjoy Ann Arbor. Her door is always open!
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