OFFICE: PH 304 PHONE: 918-343-7667, e-mail: amarrero@rsu.edu

Class Times: TR, 0800-0915

Required Text: Amazing Grace, Kozol, J. 1995, (New York: Crown) & Soul of a Citizen, Loeb, P. (St. Martin's Press)

OFFICE HOURS: I am looking forward to meeting and talking with you this semester. My office hours will be posted on or near my office door. Please feel free to call and make an appointment.

COURSE DESCRIPTION: In this course students engage in public service within agencies or organizations in Claremore, the greater Tulsa metropolitan area, or Northeast Oklahoma. In their written work and class discussions, they will reflect on both the purposes of that work as well as on its limits as a response to specific needs within the community and more general problems of society. Students will also explore issues of social responsibility and responsible citizenship in relation to the social needs that they become acquainted with through their community work.

GOALS: The goals for this course are as follows:

• To educate students to the problems in society,
• To have them experience and understand firsthand needs in their community,
• To give students the experiences and skills to act prosocially.

OBJECTIVES AND DESIRED OUTCOMES: As the semester proceeds, it is my hope that all of us involved in this course will achieve the following:

Community Service (Field Placement) Component: Students will spend a minimum of two hours a week (more if desired) at their community service sites. The sites may be located in Claremore, Tulsa, Bartlesville, Pryor, or anywhere within reasonable commuting distance. We have identified many options including youth organizations, shelters, food programs, centers for elderly citizens, addiction treatment centers, and programs for the physically and/or mentally challenged.

Finding a placement. During the first few class sessions, we will be discussing possible placements for service. Three factors should go into your selection of a service site:

1. Practical – can you get there and back in a reasonable time? Do their needs mesh with your schedule?
2. Personal – do you have an interest in this issue? the population that they serve?
3. Course related concerns – is the placement one that conforms to the goals and objectives of the course? If in doubt, check with the instructor.

Journal: Journaling is a proven way to cause individuals to effectively reflect and analyze their experiences. Students should seek to connect and identify the "learning" component to the service component. Said another way, comment on what was learned from the service experience, especially as it applies to assigned readings and/or class discussions. There should be an entry for each day of service, to include training received by the organization or agency. Service learning journals will be turned in towards the end of the semester.

Written Reflections Essays: The written reflections consist of assigned tasks in description and analysis. They will be integral to each week’s class discussion. Your written reflections will always have something to do with (1) the course readings, revealing your analysis about author’s thesis, including relevant personal observations or experiences, and (2) your on-site work in the community. All work should be typed on computer, 12 point font, Times Roman, double-spaced and should not exceed three pages in length.

Site Visit Reports: Site visit reports will be submitted once a week for the visits completed that week. The format is attached and can be obtained on my web site.

Required Readings: The following readings will be required to be completed as indicated in the attached schedule:

On Reserve:

Anspach, R., R., 1991. "Everyday Methods for Assessing Organizational Effectiveness." Social Problems, 38(1), 1-19.

Bunis, W. K., Yancik, A., & Snow, D.A., 1996. "The Cultural Patterning of Sympathy Toward the Homeless and Other Victims of Misfortune." Social Problems, 43:4, 387-402.

Fisher, Nadler & Alagna. "Recipient Reactions to Aid". Psychological Bulletin, 91(1), 27-54.

Putnam, Robert, 1995. "Bowling Alone: America’s Declining Social Capital." Journal of Democracy, vol. 6, No. 1.

Grading Scale: A = 89.50 - 100% B = 79.50 - 89.49% C = 69.50 - 79.49% D = 59.50 - 69.49%

Integrity: In essence, there is no room for compromise on this one folks! To quote: "Plagiarism is representing someone else’s ideas or work as your own ideas or work. To avoid plagiarism when using someone else’s data, arguments, designs, words, ideas, projects, etc., you must make it clear that the work originated with someone else by citing the source." Faculty Information Book, August, 1999.

Students are expected to follow university policies as put forth in the institution's Student Code of Responsibilities and Conduct. In accordance with Title 12 of The Student Code (page 11), instances of alleged academic misconduct will follow the policies and procedures as described in Title 12. As a general rule, Faculty at Rogers State University have the responsibility of enforcing the academic code. Therefore, if academic misconduct is suspected I will submit a letter of alleged academic misconduct to the Office of Student Affairs.

In order to maintain an effective learning environment, students are expected to fully comply with The Student Code. Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. It is the responsibility of each student to read and become familiar with the policies of The Student Code.

Special Needs: "All students with disabilities who are requesting accommodations should give the"...Office of Student Relations, Preparatory Hall, Room 110 - Claremore Campus... "at least two weeks advance notice to ensure accommodations. Otherwise, we can't guarantee you will receive the accommodations in time".

For today's visit, please comment on the following dimensions of your experience:

1. What do/did you see (hear, smell, etc., i.e., "empirical" evidence)?

 

 

 

2. Who did you encounter (numbers, gender, age, ethnicity, & need)?

 

 

 

3. Where did activity occur (physical environment, e.g., home, emergency room, nursery, etc.)?

 

 

 

4. Describe evidence of "agency" or "individual" efforts to change/stabilize situation?

 

 

 

5. Evidence of conflict over scarce resources:

 

 

 

6. Questions arising from your experience(s):

 

 

 

7. Surprises that "thickened" your understanding:

2/20 Fisher, Nadler & Alagna. "Recipient Reactions to Aid". Psychological Bulletin, 91(1), 27-54.

2/22 Putnam, Robert, 1995. "Bowling Alone: America’s Declining Social Capital." Journal of Democracy, vol. 6, No. 1.

2/26 Anspach, R., R., 1991. "Everyday Methods for Assessing Organizational Effectiveness." Social Problems, 38(1), 1-19.