COMMUNITY AND SERVICE: Using Media for Social Change
DCS 350 (9:30pm - 10:45) - TUE & THU - HHB 551 (DCS Studio) – Fall 2011
Instructor:
Fall 2011 Office Hours:
Rosie O’Beirne, M.A.
Co-Director, UAB’s Digital Community Studies
www.uab.edu/dcs
Department of History and Anthropology
205-975-7805
robeirne@uab.edu
Tue and Thu 11:00 am -12:30 pm
Office - 572 Heritage Hall
or DCS Lab 551 Heritage Hall
If you are unable to meet during these hours,
then please email me to schedule an
appointment.
Course Description and Objectives:
This course is an experiential course which allows students to explore a community or social justice issue
through the method of participant observation and/ or service-learning. Students will represent what they
learn using digital technologies in a multimedia presentation aimed for the public. Students will be
introduced to community-based learning as a vehicle to explore a social, cultural or historical issue that is
of interest to them. Community service is not treated as an extra in this course, but rather is viewed as a
form of practical learning to be integrated with theoretical concepts and research that attempt to explain
social and cultural phenomena.
Students will be expected to identify a community based project and service-site early in the semester.
Students will receive assistance in identifying their community issue and appropriate site or agency
directly from the instructor and the support of UAB’s Office of Service-Learning. The class is structured so
students will be given class release time to work and observe at their site. Throughout their community
experience, students will be expected to actively engage in library research and meaningful reflection by
completing assignments that include journal entries, a summary paper and a multimedia project (this is in
lieu of a final exam).
The class will meet on a regular basis throughout the semester to touch base on progress outside the
classroom. In addition students will learn multimedia skills such as digital photography, podcasting,
blogging and website production for their multimedia project. These tools will be taught as a means to
share and disseminate student experience and research, as well as to provide a service to the community
or agency. The overall objective of the multimedia project is to highlight and raise awareness about a
particular social issue that a non-profit or local community group is addressing in our society.
Successful completion of this course will result in the following:
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Greater understanding of a social or community issue through library research and first-hand
observation or volunteering
Broad understanding and familiarity with the use of variety of multimedia applications and how
social scientists can use them a research tool, as well as sharing their research with the broader
public. In particular
Enhancing interpersonal and communication skills, and establishing a network for possible future
research or internships
Contribution to a local agency or community group by raising awareness of a group’s mission or
community issue they are addressing through the use of digital documentation and presentation
Possibly dovetailing with other DCS courses such as Ethnographic Filmmaking, Public
Messaging or Community Ethnography where the community issue can be further explored.
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Grading Requirements
Class Attendance – 10% - Scheduled classes will be like workshops. They are opportunities to
brainstorm about community issues and touch base about your experiences. This is also the time when
you will be learning media technologies. There will be NO make-up sessions, and it is important that you
learn the technology that is integral to your Multimedia Project (listed below).
Project Pitch – 10% Students must research their community organization and topic and present to the
class and instructor for approval.
Journal Entries/ Community Service – 50% - six progress reports and reflections that document a total
of 15 hours of community service/ engagement. Entries must be spread over the course of your
community service and submitted on Blackboard. You must participate/ volunteer at your community site
in order to get credit; your hours must be verified by a community representative or partner. Your
community service time can be flexible and work to fit your schedule. However, a minimum of 15 hours of
service must be completed between mid-September and the end of November.
Summary Paper and Annotated Bibliography – 10% - 5-10 page paper where you synthesize what you
learned in your community experience. You are expected to draw upon your volunteer experience, your
observations and interactions with community members, and your library research.
Multimedia project - 20% Assignment details will be handed out in class. This project will incorporate at
least two components of digital media (e.g., digital photography, film, podcasting, website, blog) to raise
awareness and bring attention to the social issue you are exploring. In most cases, student work will be
featured on the DCS student project website, as well as their community partner’s website.
Required Readings - The vast majority of your reading will be self selected and project specific.
Details will be included in your multimedia and bibliography assignment. In addition, students will be
required to read and discuss selected chapters from Building Bridges: The Allyn & Bacon Student Guide
to Service-Learning (readings are posted in Blackboard). Topics include:
o Helpful Skills for the Service-Learner
o Tips on Doing Field Research – How To Guide on Participant Observation
o Writing Service-Learning Papers: What is Reflection Exactly
UAB Office of Service Learning Resource:
This course uses the resources provided by UAB’s Office of Service-Learning www.uab.edu/servicelearning. Community Partner contracts and time logs can be downloaded from this site.
Learn more about what is defined as service-learning and look into community partnerships that have
been established by our university. Browse by topic or by community partner (agencies and non-profits)
at http://main.uab.edu/Sites/undergraduate-programs/academic-engagement/service-learning/31400/
Course structure and objectives are based on the definition of Service-learning put forth by UAB’s Office
for Service-Learning:
Service Learning is a pedagogical model (method of teaching and learning) that intentionally integrates:
 Enhanced academic learning
 Purposeful civic learning
 Relevant and meaningful service with the community
For more information contact - Office for Service Learning, HH 527, Phone: 205.996.7080
Norma-May Isakow, Director of UAB Service-Learning: nmisakow@uab.edu
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Class Outline – course topics are subject to change according to class needs. However, any class
that is designated as “Community Service Release time” will not change. Class will not meet on that day.
Date
Topic
Assignment Due
Aug
Aug
Introduction and Course Review
Service-learning and Community Based Learning
Aug
Aug
Identifying a Community Issue and Organization
Defining the Community Partnership - Terms of Agreement
Aug
Sept
Project Pitch
Working in the Community - Documenting your Engagement
Sept
Digital Photography and Blogging
Sept
No Class - Release time for Community Service
Sept
No Class - Release time for Community Service
Sept
Sept
No Class - Release time for Community Service
Oct
Oct
Introducing the Multimedia Project
Website, Podcasting
Oct
Oct
Oct
No Class - Release time for Community Service
Fall Break - No Class
Digital Film - The interview
Oct
No Class - Release time for Community Service
Nov
Vimeo and Youtube –
Nov
No Class - Release time for Community Service
Nov
Optional Workshop - Putting it Together for the Public
Nov
Nov
No Class - Release time for Community Service
Thanksgiving - No Class
Nov
Dec
Multimedia Project Presentation
Multimedia Project Presentation
Multimedia Project
Presentation
Dec
Summary Paper Due
Summary Paper Due
Dec
Grades Available Online
Project Pitch
6 Journal Entries during Community Engagement
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Notes on Technology
Digital Still Camera – the DCS lab has a few digital cameras for checkout, so it will be very convenient if
you have access to a digital camera. If expense is an issue, check into purchasing a disposable digital
camera which is relatively inexpensive.
You will be assigned a station in the DCS studio. All of the media applications you need to complete your
multimedia project will be available to you on the DCS stations. You will receive an access code at the
beginning of September.
Blackboard site: the course website will serve as an on-line repository for DCS 101. Your grades will
also be posted in Blackboard. Some assignments will also be administered on the blackboard site.
Make sure to bookmark the Blackboard Vista log in page:
http://www.uab.edu/academiccourses
If you experience technical difficulties with Blackboard, please contact AskIT at 996-5555. This is a free
service to all UAB students, so please take advantage of this resource.
Email: I will NOT use the Blackboard Vista email tool to email you. If you need to email me, please use
robeirne@uab.edu. Include “DCS 101” in the subject line. Emails that I send out will be sent to your
uab.edu account. You can check your UAB email account by logging into https://mail.ad.uab.edu with
your blazer ID and password.
 It is your responsibility to check your email daily.
 Email is not the same as texting. It is a more formal communication. Also, sign your email with
your full name at the bottom of your message. Many students use non-UAB email addresses
which make it difficult to identify the sender. So please make sure to sign your full name at the
bottom of your message. Read more about email etiquette here.
 I usually respond to emails within the day, but on some occasions, it may be 2-3 day delay. I do
not respond to emails on Sunday.
UAB Honor Code: Academic misconduct will not be tolerated in this class including
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ABETTING is helping another student commit an act of academic dishonesty. Allowing someone
to copy your quiz answers or use your work as their own are examples of abetting.
 CHEATING is the unauthorized use or attempted use of unauthorized materials, information,
study aids, the work of others, or computer-related information.
 PLAGIARISM means claiming as your own the ideas, words, data, computer programs, creative
compositions, artwork, etc., done by someone else. Examples include improper citation of
referenced works, the use of commercially available scholarly papers, failure to cite sources, or
copying another person’s ideas.
 FABRICATION means presenting falsified data, citations, or quotations as genuine.
 MISREPRESENTATION is falsification, alteration, or the misstatement of the contents of
documents, academic work, or other materials related to academic matters, including work
substantially done for one class as work done for another without receiving prior approval from
the instructor.
For a detailed description of these offenses and university penalties on academic misconduct, please
visit: http://www.app.uab.edu/progress_conduct_Griev.html
Instructor’s Policy on Academic Misconduct for this course: The penalty for abetting, cheating,
plagiarism, fabrication, or misrepresentation is a failing grade (F) in the course.
Academic Accommodations
Any student wishing to request academic accommodations due to a disability should set up an
appointment with the instructor early in the semester so that such arrangements can be made. Contact
information for Disability Support Services: 516 Hill University Center; Phone: 934-4205; Web:
www.uab.edu/dss e-mail: dss@uab.edu.
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Early Alert System (EAS)
EAS is a UAB resource that is designed to help students be more successful academically at UAB.
Student progress is measured mid-semester and underachieving students are identified and contacted. If
you receive an email from EAS, please open it, read it and take advantage of the support that UAB offers
to all students. UAB is committed to ensuring that students receive academic support and are aware of
the resources available that will help assist them in successfully completing their degree program.
Severe Weather:
Announcements concerning UAB closings and class cancellations may be obtained by checking UAB
home page: www.uab.edu. Official announcements are broadcast on radio station 90.3 FM WBHM.
Classroom Citizenship
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Please arrive on time and you must attend class to do well in this course
Laptops should be used for note-taking purposes only – NOT for facebook, myspace or surfing the
internet, answer email, etc. I consider this rude, distracting and disrespectful.
Cell phones should be turned off during class. NO texting during class. If you choose to use your
phone, you need to leave the class and not return, as this is a disruption in a learning environment.
No taping, filming or photography in class without the consent of the instructor.