Community-Based Service Learning 101 Syllabus

Syllabus

October 4, 2004 to November 19, 2004

Faculty:

Cynthia B. Mark, Ph.D., Program Leader
4-H Youth Development
Michigan State University
160 Agriculture Hall
East Lansing, MI 48824-1039
Phone: 517-432-7602
Email: markc@msue.msu.edu

Karen McKnight Casey, Director
Academic Service Learning
Michigan State University
27 Student Services
East Lansing, MI 48824-1113
Phone: 517-353-4400x7
Email: caseyk@msu.edu

Production Support:

Marian Reiter, Graphic Artist II
4-H Youth Development
Michigan State University Extension
160 Agriculture Hall
East Lansing, MI 48824-1039
Phone: 517-432-7625
Fax: 517-355-6748
Email: reiter@msue.msu.edu

Overview:

Community-Based Service Learning 101 will focus on providing an introduction to community-based service learning and new ideas for how a community-based service learning experience can be offered to youth 12- to-19-years-olds. This online course will utilize lessons, readings and practice to show you how to put community-based service learning concepts into action. There will be opportunities to interact with fellow youth development professionals as well as special guests working in the field. All cousework is done on the Web.

Topics covered will include:

A five-step model that promotes community-based service learning.
Ways to apply the current literature in this area to your work.
An understanding of the concepts by applying them to real life situations.
Reflection on the link between community service projects and positive youth development.
Ideas on ways to fund and sustain youth-driven community service projects.

Components:

Weekly lessons, assignments, readings, online resources, online discussion via message boarding along with weekly real-time chats featuring special guests working in service learning, youth voice, youth leadership, diversity, sustainability and related areas.

Audience:

Staff and volunteers (adults and teens) who work with youth ages 12- to-19-years-old in organizations such as 4-H Youth Programs, Extension, Boys and Girls Clubs, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, recreation departments, schools, faith-based youth groups, community action agency youth groups -- and anyone else who works with youth.

Course Format:

The course will provide seven weeks of online sessions starting October 4 and ending November 19, 2004. This is a noncredit, certificate course. Participants completing the requirements of the course will receive a certificate of completion. Participants who wish to use this as an independent study within their own degree program should consult their academic advisor and college or university to receive credit. If you are attending Michigan State University and would like college credit, please contact Cyndi Mark at markc@msue.msu.edu.

Course Requirements:

To receive a certificate of completion, the following requirements must be met:

Movie Viewing and Course Materials:
It is the class members’ responsibility to obtain and view the movie, "Pay It Forward," at the beginning of this course. Copies are usually available for rent at a local video store or public library. A copy of the Youth Experiencing Action (YEA!) curriculum will be provided to each class member. Geared toward young people aged 14 to 19 (can be adapted to middle school), YEA activities may be used by any youth group interested in using experiential learning and community-based service learning activities in their program.
Weekly Lessons and Readings:
Lessons and readings will be assigned each week, and class members are expected to stay on top of this weekly material. Readings will typically be available online with URLs provided. If readings are not available online, hard copies will be sent to class members.
Weekly Assignments and Participation in Online Discussion via Message Boards and Real-time Chats:
Class members are expected to complete all assignments and to post at least once a week to Message Boards and to take part in at least 3 Real-Time Chat sessions. Discussion will be related to the lessons, readings, and assignments. Posting to message boards will be ongoing. Real-time chats will be held each Thursday from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. EST, starting October 7 with the last one on November 18, 2004. Faculty and special guests will be available to mediate discussion related to weekly topics.
Final Project on Community-Based Service Learning:
As an individual or in small groups, class members will develop a final project to be presented by Week 6. Details forthcoming.
End-of Course Evaluation:
A final course evaluation will be available by the end of Week 6.

Course Timeline:

WEEK 1
Welcome and Orientation

Familiarize yourself with the virtual classroom technology, how the classroom is organized and the course requirements
Introduce yourself with your first message board posting
View movie "Pay It Forward" and participate in the message board discussion
Real-time chat with faculty, Cyndi Mark, Karen Casey and Marian Reiter

WEEK 2
Introduction to Community-Based Service Learning

Introduction to positive youth development, age-appropriate activities, community service, service learning and the five-step community-based service learning model.

Lesson and readings related to the week’s topic
Complete assignment and participate in message board discussion
Real-time chat with faculty and special guest

WEEK 3
Determining Community Needs

Determining need for the community-based service learning project. (Introduction to Step 1 of the model.)

Lesson and readings related to the week’s topic
Complete assignment and participate in message board discussion
Real-time chat with faculty and special guest

WEEK 4
Planning and Implementing Service with "Youth Voice"

Using the tools in YEA!, plan, prepare and carry out a community-based service learning project. (Steps 2 & 3 of the model.)

Lesson and readings related to the week’s topic
Complete assignment and participate in message board discussion
Real-time chat with faculty and special guest

WEEK 5
Reflection and Application

Ways to help youth reflect on what they are learning and applying it to other situations. (Steps 4 & 5 of the model.)

Lesson and readings related to the week’s topic
Complete assignment and participate in message board discussion
Real-time chat with faculty and special guest

WEEK 6
Ideas for Funding and Sustaining Projects

With great ideas can come the need for funding. Learn some ways to get funding to carry out local programming.

Lesson and readings related to the week’s topic
Complete assignment and participate in message board discussion
Final project due -- post for peer and faculty feedback
Real time chat with faculty and special guest

WEEK 7
Linking All of the Pieces Together

Putting all the pieces together, including positive youth development, the five-step model and other important issues.

Lesson, reading and housekeeping to wrap up the course
End-of-Course Evaluation

November 19, 2004
Course Offline

About the Course Developers:

Cynthia B. Mark, Ph.D., Program Leader for Michigan State University Extension's, Children, Youth, and Family Programs, 4-H Youth Programs.
Cyndi currently is a program leader for the Michigan 4-H Youth Programs working with teen programs, youth at-risk, community-based service learning, healthy choices, out-of-school and other programs directed towards a specific issue or audience. Along with other grant funded projects, she co-directs a Volunteers In Service To America (VISTA) project called the 4-H FUN ZONE Positive Youth Development During Out-of-School Time. She has been a member of the staff for more than 23 years, starting as a 4-H Youth agent in Ingham County. During her tenure, she has directed youth and volunteer programs and has experience in staff and volunteer development and training, grant writing, youth development and organizational leadership and administration.

Karen McKnight Casey, Michigan State University Director of Service-Learning and Civic Engagement. As director, she is responsible for facilitating university initiatives that provide curricular and co-curricular, service-based, experiential learning and civic engagement opportunities for MSU students. Karen works closely with faculty, university administration and student services, students, and community partners to insure that the active, purposeful service opportunities offered for students meet academic, personal, professional and civic development goals, while also addressing the expressed needs of the community. An alumna of the MSU School of Social Work, Karen's association with service-learning began as an undergraduate student volunteer in the early years of the Center when it was known as the Office of Volunteer Programs. Prior to becoming an MSU Academic Specialist in 1991, Karen's professional experience included work in higher education residence life and teaching, and community agency programming and volunteer management. Her commitment to service and student civic engagement has continued throughout her career. Her dedication to the enhancement of community is also exhibited through her service on local community boards and projects.

Marian Reiter, 4-H Graphic Artist for Michigan State University Extension's 4-H Youth Development.
A graphic artist with 28 years experience at MSU and 4-H and a strong interest in learning design, Marian has been responsible for creating the layout and design of 4-H curriculum materials, Web sites, PR materials, and other educational media as well as original illustrations, logos and artwork. She is enjoying applying her skills to the online learning environment by providing design, production and technical assistance to this course.

Special Guests:

Coming soon!