Course Syllabus

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Course Overview

Counseling 128: Community Activism and Leadership   (3 units)

Spring 2018 Wednesday 12:55pm-4:05pm Room I-202

Santa Ana College                                            

Link to document: coun 128 spring 2018 syllabus.docx

Instructors:         

Rochelle Zook 714-564-6416           zook_rochelle@sac.edu                                   

Kathy Patterson 714-564-6528        patterson_kathy@sac.edu

Alondo Campbell(714) 564-6564     campbell_alondo@sac.edu                                         

Course Description:

Community Activism focuses on how social justices is achieved in communities and looks at grassroots activism in social change. This class will take a look at different dimensions of community activism and assess their social change and social justice potentionals. The class will explore the tradition of community building through leadership ideas. This concept of leadership by introducing students to the fundamental elements of effective leadership; demonstrates the importance of leadership in communities and society; and prepares students to assume responsibilities of leadership roles in college and community settings.

 

Textbooks:

Komives, S. R., Lucas, N., & McMahon, T. R. (2013). Exploring Leadership: For college students who want to make a difference 3rd Edition. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Additional readings: Hill, J. B., Hurley, J. (2002). One Makes a Difference: Inspiring actions that change our world. San Francisco: Harper-Collins.

“There will be additional readings as needed”

 

Philosophy Statement:

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed, that is the only way things ever get changed. This inspirational observation by anthropologist Margaret Mead captures the essence of how people come together to make a difference in their communities. You probably spend the majority of your time working in group settings, interacting with others, leading in groups, and being a member of formal or informal organizations.

 

Every individual has the capacity for activism. This is the basic assumption of this course. Old ideas and notions about activism are changing from a leadership approach that is hierarchical and top-down to a contemporary leadership process that is inclusive and empowering. This is an exciting time for you to reflect on the meaning of activism in today’s world.

 

Leadership is a relational process (that is, it involves relationships) occurring between and among members in groups and organizations who have common goals and purposes. In this course, you will learn to examine how your purpose in life influences your own goals and leadership, to discover new maps for a rapidly changing world, to think about the ethical responsibilities of activism, and to learn how we as participants mutually shape the environment of an organization or within our community.

 

Student Learning Outcomes

  • To gain knowledge of leadership including theories, dynamics of leadership, historical perspectives, and future trends.
  • To gain knowledge of the various purposes of activism, including change, service, and individual commitment.
  • To increase self-awareness through the exploration of values, beliefs, and identity; and to experience leadership as a developmental process through group experiences.
  • To develop a personal philosophy of activism that includes an understanding of self, others, and community.
  • To develop communication skills, critical thinking, enhanced self-esteem, ethical decision making, and social responsibility.

 

Course Expectations:

  • Students will come to class prepared for active participation. A quality learning experience in this activism/leadership class rests heavily upon interaction and exchange of ideas among students and the instructor.
  • Class attendance is integral to learning in this course, as students will be held responsible for material covered in class which will enhance the readings and out of class assignments. Class attendance and participation are essential and expected. Students are expected to notify the instructor prior to an absence from class. Unexcused absences will be factored into final grades. A student may be dropped for excessive absences.
  • Students should be prepared to experience learning through many different avenues and participate in each to his or her fullest capacity.
  • Students are expected to approach assignments with thoughtful consideration and to be thorough in their completion. In all class written assignments, students will be expected to present solid content and to convey their message using appropriate grammar, syntax, spelling, punctuation, and language.

 

ADA Statement:

It is the responsibility of students with a documented disability to notify the instructor as soon as possible to discuss necessary accommodations.

 

Make Up Policy:

Make ups will be allowed on the basis of legitimate reasons. It is your responsibility to make arrangements for submitting late assignments. Points will be deducted for late assignments.

 

Program Requirements:

  1. Service Learning Hours to be completed for all Ulink students
  2. Attend one Social/Political Community Functions: Due 05/02/18
  3. Mandatory Transfer Field Trip to UCI March 28th or April11th.
  4. End-of the Year Banquet May 2018 TBD
  5. Personal Statement (UC/Scholarship) for all new Ulink students

Course Outline:

Week 1: Class Introduction                  February 7

  • Class community building; review student and instructor expectations and contributions to learning; overview of course syllabus.

Week 2: Movie: Erin Brockovich          February 14

  • Assign Students to groups, for group presentations and group project.
  • Class Assignment: Read Exploring Leadership Preface and Chapter 1
  • Answer Questions 2, 3, 6
  • Read: Make a Difference Intro. and Chapter 1

Week 3: What is Leadership?          February 21

  • Review Exploring Leadership Preface and Chapter 1 - Personal definitions of leadership; discussion of the concept of paradigms; introduction to relational leadership. Review class definitions of leadership; evolution of leadership theory; contemporary theories and models.
  • Class Assignment: Read Exploring Leadership Chapter 2
  • Answer Questions 1, 2, 3, 5
  • Read: Make a Difference Chapter 2

Week 4: The Changing Nature of Leadership    February 28

  • Review Chapter 2 - Myths about Leadership, Definitions of Leadership, Generations of Leadership Theories
  • Class Assignment: Read Exploring Leadership Chapter 3
  • Answer Questions 1, 2, 3
  • Read: Make a Difference Chapter 3

Week 5: Relationship Model                  March 7

  • Review Chapter 3 - Knowing, being, doing analysis of leadership as inclusive, empowering and purposeful; leading    for a common purpose; leadership as ethical and process-oriented.
  • Group 1 Presentation on Intro; Chapter 1 Make a difference
  • Group 2 Presentation; Chapter 2 Make a difference
  • Class Assignment: Read Exploring Leadership Chapter 4
  • Answer Questions 1, 2, 3
  • Read: Make a Difference Chapter 4

Week 6: Understanding Yourself            March 14

  • Review Chapter 4 - Self-esteem and self-confidence; values and beliefs; personal style preferences; student leadership practices inventory.
  • Group 3 Presentation; Chapter 3 Make a difference
  • Class Assignment: Read Exploring Leadership Chapter 5
  • Answer Questions 1, 2, 4
  • Read Make a Difference Chapter 5
  • Mid-term Study Guide Handout 

Week 7: Understanding Others           March 21

  • Review Chapter 5-Gender and cultural diversity; building a multicultural community; cultural influences on leadership.
  • Midterm
  • Group 4 Presentation; Chapter 4 Make a difference
  • Introduction To Group Project
  • Class Assignment: Read Chapter 6 Make a difference

 

Week 8: UCI FIELD TRIP                    March 28

  • HOMEWORK :
  • Answer Read Chapter 6 Questions (Exploring Leadership): 1,2,3 &4
  • Read Chapter 7 Make a Difference

 

April 2-6 Spring break

 Week 9: Groups and Leadership          April 11

  • Movie: Walkout
  • Review Chapter 6 -Group development; group process and behaviors.
  • Group 5 Presentation; Chapter 5 Make a difference
    • Class Assignment Read Chapter 7 (Exploring Leadership)
    • Answer Chapter 7 Questions (Exploring Leadership): 2,3, 5,
    • Read Chapter 8 and Epilogue Make a Difference

 

Week 10 Interactions with Team & Groups         April 18

  • Review Chapter 7
  • Group 6 Presentation; Chapter 6 Make a difference
  • Class Assignment:
    • Class Assignment: Work on group topics
    • Read Chapter 9 Exploring Leadership
    • Answer Chapter 9 Questions (Exploring Leadership):2,45

 Week 11 Creating Community                  April 25

  • Review Chapter 9 - Being in Communities. The importance and elements of a community,
  • Work on Group Projects

Week 12 Work on Group Projects         May 2

  • What does community mean? How a sense of community develops; creating coalitions and communities; Team Building.
  • Group 7 Presentation; Chapter 7 Make a difference

 

Week 13 Service Learning Service Project          May 9

  • Movie: Spare Parts/Bread and Roses
  • Group 8 Presentation; Chapter 8 and Epilogue Make a difference

 

Week 14 Work on Group Projects                  May 16

 

Week 15 Group Project Presentations            May 23                                                     

  • Final Exam Preparation

 

Week 16: Final/Presentation                                   May 30

·       Presentation of Group Project

 

Assignment and Grading                                                Total Points                                    Weight

 

  • Assignments from Chapter Exercises:       125 points
  • Other Assignments:
    • Reflection Papers (4)                                100 points
    • Group Project/Research                           100 points
    • How To Make A Difference                        25 points
    • Service Learning                         25 points
    • Myers-Briggs                                     25 points

 

  • Exams:
    • Midterm                                     50 points
    • Final Exam                                      50 points
  • Total Points Possible                        500 points

 

90%            A                                                                        450-500

80%             B                                                                        400-449

70%            C                                                                        350-399

60%            D                                                                        300-349

 

 

UCI Field Trip March 28th or April11th                        Required

Relay for Life/ TBD                                                            25pts

Attend Political Community Function due May 3rd            Required

U-Link End of the Year Banquet/TBD                        Required

Personal Statement (Add to Portfolio)                        20pts. (New students only)

 

Course Summary:

Course Summary
Date Details Due