UPDATED Jan 7, 2006

Dr. S. Y. Evans              Phone: 352-392-6088              Email:  drevans@ufl.edu

Class Location:     Fine Arts 213                                                    Office Location: 3332 Turlington Hall

Meeting Times:    Tues, #4 (10:40-11:30am) &                   Office Hours: Thurs 9:15-10:15am                                          Thurs, #4 & 5 (10:40-12:35)                                                               or by appointment

3 CREDITS

Course Description

This community service-learning (CSL) course will engage students in collaborative relationships with local community organizations for which students will be able to provide mentorship for local at-risk youth. The course is a seminar-style practicum course that integrates lectures, appropriate reading in the humanities and social sciences, and community service assignments. Students will work through the UF Office of Community Service and become familiar with IRB and HIPAA protocol to ensure professional, ethical, and enriching partnership with local agencies.

Course Objectives

To encourage UF students to think critically about issues concerning youth who are at risk of being trapped in a cycle of poverty, crime, racism, sexism, substance abuse, academic failure, social stigma, and political disenfranchisement

To meet the community defined need of providing local at-risk youth with responsible mentors who can learn to identify students’ needs and strengths

To partner with the UF Center for Leadership and Service and provide mentorship for youth in the Boys and Girls Club and Gainesville Housing Authority’s Reichert House and PACE programs

To assist class members in formulating questions and finding systematic ways of gaining mentoring support, through mentoring relationships, during and after college

To allow student reflections of their own youth experiences to provide much of the class content and context

To allow student reflections to inform community agencies about central issues on which they would like feedback

Action-based Learning Objectives In this course, students will:

Analyze models of oppression, resistance, and social justice and apply those models to their own life experiences

Analyze power, privilege, and socialization within the models listed above, and apply these concepts to life experiences of local Gainesville youth

Analyze the local youths’ experiences in a national context

Consider theories of mentoring presented in readings and course discussion, apply these theories to UF students’ work as mentors

Consider the themes of identity and relationship development in the lives of youth and record how the youth they work with understand and express these themes

Required TextsBooks available at UF bookstore or Orange and Blue Textbooks (across from Krispy Kreme) 309 NW 13th St., 375-2707

Books

1. Geoffrey Canada, Reaching Up for Manhood: Transforming the Lives of Boys in America

2. Joyce West Stevens, Smart and Sassy: The Strengths of Inner-City Black Girls

Articles (online)

1. Kimberly A. Mahaffy, “Gender, Race, Class, and the Transition to Adulthood: A Critical Review of the Literature.” Sociological Studies of Children and Youth. 2003.(9) UK: JAI/Elsevier Science.

2. Carolyn M. Tucker and Keith C. Herman, “Using Culturally Sensitive Theories and Research to Meet the Academic Needs of Low-income African American Children.” American Psychologist. 2002. (10).

Course Requirements

Regular class attendance and participation
At least 3 hours of ongoing community service per week at one of three partner agencies
Weekly assigned readings and facilitation of readings
Typed journal entries (kept weekly) reflecting on community service and responding to

readings – journals will be collected two times during the semester
Mid-term paper
Final paper and presentation

Grading Criteria: 290 points  Class attendance and participation 300 points  Reflection Journal I & II   50 points  HIPAA certification 350 points  Final paper          (Writing Process 110, Final Paper 240)  110 points  Final Presentation 100 points  Evaluations of agency and student work 1200 points

University of Florida grade scale: 90-100%*       A       1080-1200 86-89%           B+     1032-1079 80-85%           B       960-1031 76-79%           C+     912-959 70-75%           C       840-911 66-69%           D+    792-839 60-65%           D      730-791 *Percentage = your points ÷ 1200

Assignment Guide

Attendance and participation                 290 points

There are two class meetings per week not counting Spring Break or finals; each class is worth 10 points. There are 290 possible attendance points (attendance is not counted during the first week). On the days that you are present, make sure to sign in on the attendance sheet; attendance will be counted by the sign in sheet in order to eliminate oversights.

On the fourth missed class, there will be a 25 point penalty to your final grade. This is a discussion-centered course, so attendance and participation are very important parts of your grade; monitor your absences closely. Those who miss more than three classes due to medical illness or family emergency might consider dropping the course in accordance with the UF illness guidelines. Please consult the attendance policy in the UF catalogue if there are any additional questions.

Double-entry reflection journal, part I and II               Journal I 200 points; Journal II 100 points

Take notes on the assigned readings and review notes before coming to class.

Type 1 double-spaced page on the readings each week and 1 page on experiences at the agency each week. Use standard font, correct font size, and 1” margins and double space. Label each section “reading” and “service.” By April 13, you should have 13 page on the reading and 13 on service.

Bring your reflection journal to class; I will call on students randomly to present their reflections and observations in order to keep the discussion lively.

Reflection journals will be collected 2 times during the semester. You are welcome to keep whatever type of journal you wish, but the journal that you turn in must be typed, double-spaced, and stapled. No binders will be accepted.

There will be four aspects of evaluation for the journals: make sure to 1) identify a critical moment; 2) identify a question/learning type; 3) use appropriate data & sources for analysis and evidence; and 4) make sure reflections are organized, well-written, and professionally presented.

HIPAA certification            50 points

The final papers will be compiled and distributed to respective agencies for their use in reports, recruiting, promotion, and fundraising efforts. Each student will be still be required to adhere to UF policies and complete the online training and certification for HIPAA certification (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act 1996) http://privacy.health.ufl.edu/training/genawareness/online.asp# . This procedures will be in addition to being trained by the UF Center for Leadership and Service and training at the community agencies regarding youth laws and policies, liability, and confidentiality.

Though it is not required, those interested in pursuing graduate studies should become familiar with training in Human Subjects Research http://ohsr.od.nih.gov/cbt/nonNIHpeople.html, and become familiar with how to develop an on-line IRB protocol application http://irb.ufl.edu/irb02/ .

Final research paper    350 points

The final exam for this class consists of a writing process, final paper (10-12 pages, including bibliography) and project presentations. The final papers will be addressing questions or issues that the agencies have expressed interest in gathering more information about. In your final paper discuss the course reading, your disciplinary perspective, and your service experience that addresses a question or issue that your community agency has defined. Since the agency will be using this document for their purposes (and you are not simply turning this report in for a grade), do all work in a professional manner.

All written assignments (except in-class essays) are to be typed, double-spaced using Times Roman or Arial 12 (not 14) font in MS Word.  [Large fonts such as Century Schoolbook, Courier New, boldfaced fonts, or Bookman Old Style ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE.] Borders should be the standard (one-inch) and only APA or Chicago styles should be used for written work. Work will be considered late after the beginning of class on the due date and will be graded down one full letter grade if received after class.  After the due date, the assignment grade will drop one letter grade (A to B+; B+ to B; B to C+ etc.).  DO NOT email assignments.

The final paper will be graded by the following criteria:

Writing Process (100 points)

Primary and secondary source list 50; Outline 20; First draft 20; Second draft 20

Final Paper (240 points)

Adolescence and cultural identity formation theories (Cite Tucker and Mahaffy) (2 points):

Race, Economic and Social Class, Gender, Age

Geographic Location, schools, families, peer networks

Addressing culturally appropriate theories of development and intervention

Disciplinary framework (20 points): consider how the your agency work engages any two of the following disciplines:

Health, medicine, and life sciences

Business, journalism, and communication

Education, fine arts, and the humanities (history, literature, philosophy etc.)

Law and social science (sociology, psychology, social work etc.)

Four cited references from the Reaching Up and Smart and Sassy texts (40 points)

Two newspaper articles (one prior to 1980, one after 1980) (20 points)

Two cited references from scholarly journal articles (20 points)

Writing mechanics, paper structure (30 points)

Question formation, critical analysis of agency’s issue (50 points)

Reflection on critical moment during service (40 points)

Final Presentation             110 points

The final oral presentations will be given during the last four class meetings. Community agency representatives and CLS staff will be invited. Presentations should be between 3-5 minutes per person; no more or less.

Each presenter will need to identify a critical moment in which they connected the African American studies texts with their service experience and address the agency’s initial question or topic of concern.

Like the journals, there will be four aspects of evaluation: make sure to 1) identify a critical moment; 2) identify a question/learning type; 3) use appropriate data & sources for analysis and as evidence; and 4) make sure reflections are organized, and professionally presented.

Evaluation of student and agency work                 100 points 

The UF Center for Leadership and Service will be assisting in the coordination of community contacts and will make the partnership process run smoothly. Liability issues need to be strictly understood in order to maintain positive relationships with community partners. Contracts signed by the agency supervisor and the student are due by Tuesday, January 31st. Those not having signed contracts in to Dr. Evans by the beginning of class, Tuesday, January 31st will be penalized 50 points from their final grade.(Students may petition to drop for a 25% refund and “W” without additional signatures until February 3).

The agency/student evaluations will count for 8% of the student’s course grade. Professionalism is the key to working in your agency placements. Although Dr. Evans (not the agency supervisor) will assign the points for your evaluation, the points will depend heavily on the agency evaluation of UF student performance. Both students and agencies will be required to sign an agreement form that clarifies expectations. This form is located at http://uf.servicelearningpro.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=forms.home . Students will also have a chance to evaluate the agency and weigh in about experiences there, so evaluation is not one-sided. Evaluations are confidential.

If a student cannot make it to the agency at the scheduled time, the AGENCY SUPERVISOR must be notified AT LEAST 24 HOURS IN ADVANCE. On the 3^rd no call/no show from the agency, FIFTY POINTS WILL BE DEDUCTED FROM YOUR AGENCY EVALUATION POINTS.

Any illegal or inappropriate behavior at the site (i.e. drugs, drinking, abusing or endangering the children in ANY way, willful disobedience of agency policies) will result in your immediate termination from the community agency and, depending on the severity of the infraction, you could be dropped from the class. You will be instructed on agency policies about confidentiality and appropriate behavior with program’s youth. Each rule must be observed for the safety of community members and well being of the partnership. Adhere to policy; when in doubt contact the agency supervisor AND Dr. Evans.

Semester at a Glance

     

            Tuesdays 1 hour                             Thursdays 2 hours

Week 1      Jan 10  Introductions/roll; overview of syllabus Purchase books & choose agency	12 Read Mahaffy & Tucker articles Lecture Notes: How Do I Get Started? Guest Speaker: Center for Leadership & Service Staff
Week 2      Jan 17  ETHICS & STUDENT INFO FORMS DUE Smart & Sassy Prologue Reaching Up for Manhood Preface Tools: Question types	19 Guest Speakers: Community Agencies Lecture Notes: Getting Ready Dr. Evans' Research Overview
Week 3      Jan 24  Smart & Sassy Risk and Resiliency in Social Contexts Lecture Notes: What… Am I Doing Here?	26 STUDENT/AGENCY & PROJECT AGREEMENTS Smart & Sassy Adolescent Development Theories Tools: Theory Reflection: Key phrase (expectations)
Week 4      Jan 31   Anyone not having a contract by this time will incur a 50 point penalty Reaching UpRisk	Feb 2 Guest Speaker: Courtney Moore Lecture Notes: Looking in the Mirror Tools: Cultural Identity
Week 5      Feb 7  HIPAA CERTIFICATION Reaching Up Mentors	9 Smart & Sassy Person-Process-Context Lecture Notes: Is it Getting Better Yet?
Week 6      Feb 14  Reflection: Double entry reflection journal Agency group meetings	16 Smart & Sassy Role Commitment Lecture Notes: What Should I Do Now?
Week 7      Feb 21  Reaching Up Self-Worth & Work Lecture Notes:Special Needs, To Touch?	23 Movie: FUNDI: The Story of Ella Baker
Week 8      Feb 28   Smart & Sassy Care Protective Sensibility Lecture Notes: Shocking Statements	Mar 2 Smart & Sassy Decision Making Reflection: Critical incident Tools: Debate - Arguers as Lovers
Week 9      Mar 7  Reaching Up Sex & Drugs Tools: Values	9 TURN IN JOURNAL I AGENCY & STUDENT MID-TERM EVALUATIONS DEBATE
Week 10     Mar 14  No Classes, Spring Break	16
Week 11      Mar 21  Reaching Up Fatherhood	23 Smart & Sassy Opportunity Mobility Reflection: Song lyrics; Truth stranger than fiction
Week 12      Mar 28  Reaching Up Faith & Healing	30 RESEARCH SOURCE LIST & OUTLINE OF FINAL PAPER Reflection: Quotes PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP
Week 13      Apr 4  Smart & Sassy Core Principles of Intervention Reflection: Free association /  brainstorming	6 FINAL PAPER FIRST DRAFT; IN CLASS PEER REVIEW Agency group meetings
Week 14      Apr 11  Reaching Up Epilogue Lecture Notes: Time to Say Goodbye? Reflection: Material culture	13 TURN IN JOURNAL II Presentations (12)
Week 15      Apr 18  Presentations (6)	20 AGENCY & STUDENT FINAL EVALUATIONS SECOND DRAFT OF FINAL PAPER Presentations (12)
Week 16      Apr 25 Presentations (5) FINAL PAPERS DUE IN CLASS Reflection: Endings and Beginnings	XXX

Additional Important Information

Lecture Notes are taken from Reaching Out to Children and Families: Students Model Effective Community Service. M. Dunlap, 2000.

Work will be considered late if not turned in at the beginning of the class period for which it is due. Late work will be graded down.If any assignment is not turned in one week after due date, zero (0) points will be given.  

The course materials and discussion contain controversial material. Respect for others is a requirement of class participation. While everyone is entitled to an opinion, rude, dismissive or abusive behavior will not be tolerated. While the material may spark deep emotions, professionalism and scholarly engagement are expected.

All students are expected to know and adhere to the University’s guidelines for Academic Honesty (see http://www.dso.ufl.edu/judicial/academic.htm for details).

Activate your Gator ID, library card, and UF email accounts immediately.

Please come and see me during office hours about ANY questions, comments, special needs or concerns regarding the course. If my office hours conflict with your schedule, we can set up an appointment. Email or call at any time and leave a message; allow 48 hours for a response.