UU150 OC syllabus W19 - Course outline PDF

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Wilfrid Laurier University

UU150 - Foundations for Community Engagement and Service INSTRUCTOR Dr. Amanda Nosko email: [email protected]

COURSE WEBSITE: http://mylearningspace.wlu.ca COURSE DESCRIPTION It is my pleasure to welcome each of you to UU150 – Foundations for Community Engagement and Service. This course is administered completely online. In UU150 online, you will be introduced to core concepts, theories and competencies that serve as underpinnings for effective community engagement and service. Topics you will learn about include: the history and definition of community engagement, community engaged learning (CEL) and community service learning (CSL), commitment to civic engagement, preparing for community placements, ethical conduct and confidentiality, and career skills and professionalism. You will learn skills that will help you to navigate the initial steps for choosing and initiating community engagement/volunteer experiences, prepare for your placement(s) or projects, deal with situations that may arise during your placement(s) or projects, and maintain positive and potentially long-lasting relationships with community partners and staff. In addition, during the course you will develop resources that can be used in subsequent community or workplace settings (e.g., letters to community partners, police check application and Tri-Council Ethics certificate). This is a practical course that provides a foundation for undertaking further experiential education opportunities. COURSE GOALS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES 1.1. Broad Objectives: 1. Mastery of content. By the end of this course you should be able to define, explain, provide evidence for, or otherwise articulate answers to the specific learning objectives found within each lesson. One of the course goals is to help you reach a high level of proficiency with a variety of skills/competencies that can be applicable to future workplace or experiential settings. 2. Critical thinking. By the end of the course you should be able to articulate detailed, evidence-based responses to the discussion and “What do you think?” (i.e., reflection) questions found within each lesson.

How Will I Be Assessed? 1 2 3 4 5 6 TOTAL

Discussion (5 post and 5 reply) (10 of your choice throughout the term, 2% each) Individual Assignments (2 of your choice throughout the term, 7% each) Group Project Peer and Self Evaluation (for group project) Module Content Quizzes (Quiz 1: 20%, Quiz 2: 10%, Quiz 3: 5%) TCPS II Ethics Certificate

20% 14% 21% 5% 35% 5% 100%

Exemplary works shows an attempt to address, reflect on, analyze, synthesize and contribute ideas and thoughts that go above and beyond the minimum required answer. For example, seeking out resources or examples from different sources that back up your reflection, going the “extra mile” and delving into a topic by looking up related papers/resources and making connections between what has been learned and other issues found outside of those assigned as required readings. This means that it is expected that you will participate actively and meaningfully in the discussions, that you will submit all of the required individual assignments and the group assignment, and that you will complete the non-graded reflection activities whenever possible. All assignments and activities must be well organized, expressed clearly and accurately, and demonstrate critical thinking and thoughtful consideration of the issues. Assessments 1. Discussion Questions (to be submitted to the discussion board for that chosen week) Worth 20% total I will be posting discussion questions related to each lesson at the beginning of each week. These questions will be posted on the class chat board. There will be 16 questions/boards total posted throughout the term. You can post and reply to any of the boards of your choice, but be sure to note when they close. Each post and reply will be worth 2% each. You are required to post 5 times to the board and to reply to another student’s existing post 5 times to achieve full marks. These do not have to be on the same board.

A new discussion question(s) will be posted the first day of each week (if the first day is a holiday, the question will be posted the next day). These discussion questions will be related to the topic for that week and the assigned lessons. The discussion will be open until the last day of that week at 11:59 p.m. Note: refer to weekly class schedule for more detail. You will be expected to participate in the discussions of your choice both by posting your own thoughts or observations and by commenting constructively on other students’ comments. You can submit your questions directly to the discussion board in MyLS, do not email them to me. As a rule, always cite the materials you use in your assignments/discussions (e.g., surveys, sites, readings). You can use APA formatting for this. https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/general_for mat.html

Your grade will be assigned based on the quality of your discussion question responses. It is expected that you will submit thoughtful and well-articulated questions each week. You, as a student, can interact with your classmates to explore questions and comments related to the content of this course. A successful student in online education is one who takes an active role in the learning process. You are therefore encouraged to participate in the discussion(s) to enhance your learning experience throughout the course. The discussion questions will be graded for the quality and content of your contributions. Examples of exemplary quality discussion posts include: -providing additional information to the discussion; -elaborating on previous comments from others; -presenting explanations of concepts or methods to help fellow students; -presenting reasons for or against a topic in a persuasive fashion; -sharing your own personal experiences that relate to the topic; and -providing a URL and explanation for an area you researched on the Internet. 2. Individual Assignments Worth 14% total Fourteen (14) % of your total grade will be assigned based on completion of individual assignments. While there are 21 possible individual assignments/reflections in this course, you will be given some choice in terms of which ones you choose to complete. In total, you will be asked to complete 2 individual assignments (worth 7% each). You will be required to submit the chosen weekly activities by the end of the week in which that lesson is scheduled, these dates are also found in the Weekly Schedule and by going to the assessments – drop box tab in MyLS . You can find detailed information about each assignments in under the ASSIGNMENTS tab in MyLS, by opening the word document entitled “UU150 Assignments”. Links to the materials for the assignments can be found in the assignments page within the lesson content.

3. Group Project Worth 21% total For one assignment (i.e., Module II: Teamwork “Plan a Community Event”), you will work in a small group to complete the task. Groups will be posted within the first few weeks of the term. To find your group, go to the “groups” tab at the top of the course tool bar. You will not be required to meet face-to-face with your group, but can use the available private group discussion chats and other means of communication to complete the tasks assigned. You will be asked to plan out a hypothetical community event, and will be required as a group to submit the detailed plan of your event and a final poster advertising your chosen event using CANVA or any other tool of your choosing. You will find more detail about the project in the ASSIGNMENTS folder. ONLY ONE MEMBER NEEDS TO SUBMIT THE PLAN AND FLYER TO THE DROP BOX. See below for a list of all possible individual assignments.

ASSIGNMENT How do you define community engagement Researching international volunteerism Reflection: What is means to be human, and a Shared humanity Reflection on community reports Benefits of belonging to a community Random act of kindness Tree of impact Benefits of community engagement Diversity issues in CSL/CEL First impressions The invisible homeless Preparing for placement/project It’s all about fit Research a local organization Contacting your community partner What would I do if? Email etiquette Whom would you hire? Creating a thank you letter Creating an “about me” statement You are required to complete 2 assignments across the term, of your choosing

4. Peer and Self Evaluation Worth 5% total Five (5)% of your total grade will be based on completion of both peer and self-evaluations. For example, for your group assignment you will be asked to complete and submit an anonymous evaluation for each of your group members as well as one for yourself. You can access this evaluation via a survey link provided to you on the news feed and via email. You will receive an email with a personalized link within the first few weeks of the term. Please be sure to keep this email so that you can complete the survey once the project is done. 5. Module Content Quizzes Worth 35% total At the end of each module, you will be required to complete an online quiz. You will complete 3 quizzes throughout the duration of the course (1 per module). These quizzes will be multiple-choice. Each quiz will be open for a week. You will have this entire week to complete the quiz. Dates will be posted on the newsfeed and course calendar. Module I quiz will be worth 20%. Module II will be worth 10%. Module III will be worth 5%. These quizzes will be content-based and will ask questions about the lesson content (e.g., topics that were covered, information provided for specific lesson). You will need to complete the practice quiz before the actual quizzes will become visible. This is not graded. Quizzes are not open book and REQUIRE A WEBCAM. Be sure to have this in place before completing the quizzes. Lockdown browser is installed on all lab computers on campus, so any you who do not have devices which have a webcam can make use of these. There is also an option to enable the iPad version, so if you have an iPad, online learning can make sure it’s set up to all you to connect that way as well.

6. TCPS II Worth 5% total It is up to you when you complete this (i.e., it is due the last week of class), but it is recommended that you budget your time accordingly. Typically, the TCPS II takes approximately 2 hours to complete. You can access the TCPS II at this link: http://www.pre.ethics.gc.ca/eng/education/tutorial-didacticiel/ . If you have already completed the TCPS II, you can submit your certificate to the drop box. Do not leave this to the last minute as the site becomes backed up and you may run out of time to complete it. Please note that if you are a student enrolled in the PSYCHOLOGY program, this is a rogr m REQUIREMENT.

Assignment Submission Submit all of your assignments to the drop box folder for that lesson/assignment in MyLearningSpace. There will be an assignment drop box folder devoted to each assignment and required assessment. These will be confidential and only the instructor will have access to them. Please be sure to submit your assignment in the correct folder. LATE ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE GIVEN A GRADE OF ZERO. To locate the exact due dates for each assignment, go to the “Assessments” tab and click on the “dropbox” option. You will see each assignment listed, with the corresponding due date to the right. Grading of Assignments: Assignments and reflections will be due by the last day of that week at 11:59 p.m. Be sure to budget your time accordingly. I will provide feedback on your assignments within approximately two weeks of the assignment submission date. If you have not received a grade for your assignment and it is still within the two week timeframe, please do not email me inquiring about your grade. Discussion grades, peer evaluation grades and TCPSII grades will be posted at the end of the term. If you see a “dropped” or “F” grade for any assignments, do not worry, this will be sorted at the end of the term. Note: For your group assignment (i.e., Module 2: Teamwork “Plan a Community Event”), you will be given an overall grade as a group. If you are given a low grade for lack of participation or minimal participation, this will be reflected in your grade and you will be given a different overall grade from the rest of your group. Be sure to be involved and do your work. Instructor Communication I will be actively engaged in communicating with you and other students in the class. Please keep your eyes open for newsfeed postings. If you have a question or comment that you are not comfortable posting on a discussion board, feel free to send me an email. I will be responding to student messages Monday to Friday in the evenings (around 5 pm). Keep in mind that if you post a discussion message or send me an email on Friday night after 6pm, you will have to wait un til Monda y morning for my response. Class Communication Discussion forums will be available for your use. In fact, you will be required to engage in posting discussion responses throughout the term. It is important that you participate for both grade and learning/ engagement reasons. Netiquette Guidelines • Avoid using capitals as this can be considered “virtual shouting” • Use relevant subject lines in all email communications • Address fellow students and instructor by name • Avoid use of short forms and acronyms (e.g. brb, lol, rotflmao) • Demonstrate respect and open-mindedness towards the opinions of others • Remember that humour and sarcasm don’t always translate online • Never say something online that you wouldn’t say to someone in person • Use correct spelling and grammar • Sign your name in all discussion posts and emails • Begin emails with a salutation and end with your name • Always write in full sentences and spell out words in full Refer to http://www.wlu.ca/documents/45657/Netiquette.pdf for further information

Course Policies a. Read the syllabus, my emails and news feed posts carefully. Here is where you will given

instructions on where to find due dates and other important course information. There are also listed in the course calendar. Note the quiz and assignments and corresponding due dates for each of your choosing. There are NO LATE COMPONENTS ACCEPTED. You will be given a zero.

Please be advised that if you submit more than the required 2 assignments, you will be penalized 5% overall on your individual assignments grade (this means that 5% will be taken off of the 14%). b. Please do not email me at the end of term asking for assignment or quiz accommodations. You

are given a syllabus and are sent messages with each component and deadline, so it is your responsibility to note these dates. I will not grant any requests after the term is over (i.e., after the last deadline in MyLS). c. Technological difficulties may arise in this course due to the online delivery method (e.g., quizzes not submitting properly, assignment submission glitches). I recommend that you give yourself enough time to submit and CONFIRM submission. You are given ample time throughout the term to submit the required components. There will be no accommodations made for submissions that did not go through at the last minute or due to technological difficulties at the last minute. (KEEP RECORD OF EACH OF YOUR SUBMISSIONS AS PROOF OF SUBMISSION. You will be given a message from MyLS that confirms the component was submitted correctly.) Without this proof, I will not grant extensions due to valid technological difficulties. d. Please do not ask to have your grade boosted at the end of the term. In an effort to maintain fairness and consistency across students, this is not a possibility. There are ample opportunities to achieve grades throughout the term, so please use your time and efforts wisely. e. Contact your group members as soon as the group assignments come out. Please do not email me at the end of term asking for accommodations for the group project because you couldn’t get in touch with your group members. I will not grant these accommodations. If you are having trouble getting in touch with your group, let me now as soon as possible and we will work through this together. You will not be permitted to do the assignment alone unless previously approved by me. Your group grade hinges largely on teamwork and how effectively you work with your group members on all aspects of the project. If your members indicate that you have not participated or have shown a minimal amount of effort and involvement in the project, you will earn a lower grade and may possibly fail this component. Take initiative early and get in touch with your fellow group members. If you cannot get in touch, email me as soon as possible for assistance. I will not accept individual assignments at the end of the term because you were unable to get in touch or waited until the last minute and your group completed the project without you.

University Policies 1. Academic Integrity/Misconduct (cheating): Laurier is committed to a culture of integrity within and beyond the classroom. This culture values trustworthiness (i.e., honesty, integrity, reliability), fairness, caring, respect, responsibility and citizenship. Together, we have a shared responsibility to uphold this culture in our academic and nonacademic behaviour. The University has a defined policy with respect to academic misconduct. You are responsible for familiarizing yourself with this policy and the penalty guidelines, and are cautioned that in addition to failure in a course, a student may be suspended or expelled from the University for academic misconduct and the offence may appear on their transcript. The relevant policy can be found at Laurier's academic integrity website along with resources to educate and support you in upholding a culture of integrity. Ignorance of Laurier’s academic misconduct policy is not a defense. For more information go to www.wlu.ca/academicintegrity. For information about the student code of conduct go to www.wlu.ca/page.php?grp_id=2505&p=11452. 2. Student Code of Conduct and Discipline. A student may be disciplined by the university for the following offenses: 1. Unlawful use of alcoholic beverages. Students are required to adhere to the provincial laws and the policies of the university governing the possession and/or consumption of alcoholic beverages. 2. Violence or abusive conduct of any nature, including but not limited to: a) physically abusing another person, threatening or causing any other person to fear physical abuse; b) creating a condition which endangers or threatens the health, safety or well-being of others; c) assaulting another person sexually or threatening any other person with sexual assault. 3. Violations of the Ontario Human Rights Code, discrimination or harassment of any kind, including, but not limited to, sexual harassment, harassment based on race, religion, colour, gender, age, disability, ethnicity, national origin or sexual orientation. 4. Obstruction or disruption of university activities or services. University activities and services include but are not limited to teaching, research, administration, studying, student events, meetings and public services. 5. Theft, illegal possession, damage and destruction of property, including but not limited to: a) knowingly taking, destroying, or damaging premises of the university, or any property not the person's own; b) defacing the inside or outside of any building or property of the university; c) possession of property appropriated without authorization or possession of property that is not the person's own. 6. Trafficking of drugs. Although the university does not condone the use of drugs, students wishing assistance because of drug use or for any other reason may consult with Counselling Services in absolute confidentiality. 7. Tampering with fire equipment. 8. Stealing of any sort. 9. Storage, possession or discharge of firearms or explosives, except where allowed by university regulation. For more information go to http://www.wlu.ca/page.php?grp_id=2505&p=11452. 3. Special Needs:...