Student Involvement- Orientation and Transition

Student Involvement- Orientation and Transition UNVS 96E: Leadership and Change Course Syllabus, Spring 2015

Class Information: Course Title: UNVS 96E: Leadership and Change Date/Time: Tuesdays 4:30-7:15pm Location: Sweeney Hall 312

Instructor: Jackie Gardner Leadership Development Coordinator, Student Involvement

Office Hours: By appointment - please call or email: Office phone: 408.924.5963 Office email: [email protected] Office location: Clark Hall #140

Reading Materials: The Student Leadership Challenge: Second Edition By: James Kouzes & Barry Posner

COURSE DESCRIPTION This class is designed for students who have been selected to serve as orientation staff for San José State University. Through lectures, exercises, group projects and readings, students will learn the theoretical and practical aspects of leadership. Students will receive training in university policies and procedures and other skill building areas pertinent to their role as student orientation staff. They will also have an opportunity to develop a thorough working knowledge of the resources and services available to new students. Material utilized in the classroom will be applicable to the students’ leadership experiences.

COURSE OBJECTIVES 1. To examine theoretical perspectives and applications of student leadership; 2. To strengthen existing skills and develop new skills in leadership; 3. To prepare class members for their role in various student leadership positions and beyond 4. To develop an awareness of and sensitivity to diverse populations and leadership styles; 5. To utilize theories and concepts learned in class and apply them to practical aspects of their collegiate experience.

1 Expectations  Arrive promptly  Be respectful of presenters  Be prepared  Stay positive  Use active listening skills  Be present

REQUIRED TEXTS & MATERIALS: 1) The Student Leadership Challenge: Second Edition By: James Kouzes & Barry Posner 2) Participation in Canvas, which carries all course content and discussion boards 3) Personal calendar/date book (Can be purchased at the Spartan Bookstore) 4) SJSU email account that you check regularly. Will be used for the official class/staff email distribution list

COURSE REQUIREMENTS Responsibility - Students are responsible for all materials presented including lectures, films, slides, guest speakers, panel presentations, projects and all assigned readings. In addition, students are responsible for bringing proper materials to each class.

Attendance/Participation - This course is heavily experiential and interactive. Therefore, attendance and participation in each class is imperative. The success of the course and the benefits students receive depend on the experiences and opportunities provided during class. Students are expected to have completed the assigned reading and assignments before class and participate in class discussion. Please arrive on time, class begins at 4:30pm.

If a student misses any part of class/training, he/she is expected to notify the instructor of the absence ahead of time, at least 24 hours in advance. It is the student’s responsibility to pick up homework assignments and the information covered in class before the next class session. At any time the instructor has the prerogative to evaluate a staff member’s performance and ask that person to step down from his/her position, and withdraw him/her from the class, if it is deemed necessary.

Assignments - Students will be asked to complete various types of assignments aimed at learning/applying course material.

1. Reading Reflections/Discussion Questions – Reading assignments will be assigned on a weekly basis. Prior to class (by 12pm every Tuesday),

2 students must read the assignment and complete a reflection posted to Canvas, as well as respond to one reflection posted by classmates. Assignments help evaluate the student’s comprehension of the material. This practice is also a good method for students to pick out the most relevant parts of the reading to keep for quick reference. Reflections do NOT summarize even; rather they should answer the questions: What? So what? Now what? An ideal reflection would demonstrate contextual understanding of an experience, reflect on it’s significance, and discuss future applications of the knowledge gained.

2. Leadership in the News - Your job is to find an article from a reputable news source that shows an example of leadership (good or bad) in the world. This article must be recent, within 3 months. You will sign up for a date in class to present on your article. The presentation (15-20 mins) must include a summary and at least three discussion questions. You should provide your audience with a copy of the article. You must also turn in a two(2) page summary and reflection on the article.

2. Papers – Throughout the semester you will be asked to complete three papers aimed at creating in-depth understanding of the course material. Each of these papers must be typed, 12-point font, one inch margins three to five pages, double-spaced. There will be no make up.

Lifeline of Leadership In order to know where you are going on your leadership journey, it is important to know where you came from. In the Lifeline of Leadership Reflection paper you are asked to explore, define, and reflect on your past leadership experiences, both in college and out of college.

 Explore: Where did your leadership come from? Who motivated you to seek a life of leadership? What specific events encouraged you to step up and take the lead? Where did your leadership experience start at SJSU?

 Define: What does the term "leadership" mean to you? Based on your life experiences to this point, what is your personal philosophy of leadership? What do you hope to learn about yourself and your abilities this semester as a leader? My Leadership Platform Over the past semester you have learned about many facets of leadership. You have learned how certain leadership theories guide practice, gotten a chance to grow your leadership skills through a presentation and taken a look back on your own journey and how you got here. This course has allowed you to explore and define leadership from many different angles and through different lenses.

3 This platform is the capstone of your experience. A person’s platform is what they stand for or believe based on experiences they have had. As you are aware, many leaders have platforms including politicians, teachers, athletes, and musicians.

In this reflection you are asked to state, analyze and discuss your leadership platform including what you believe in, value, are passionate about and how your leadership skills have changed and/or remained the same this semester.

 Define: What is your personal leadership philosophy and/or definition? How has this changed over the past semester? What specific parts of The Student Leadership Challenge or additional resources/theories have guided your practice as a leader this semester?  Explore: Where are you “right now” in terms of your own personal leadership? What have you learned from this experience so far this semester? What are you passionate about getting involved in or taking away from this course? How will you change your student organization or leadership path after this course? What have you learned about yourself this semester? How will you continue to lead at SJSU?

3. Leadership Development and Skills Training Presentation – This project will require your group to present one of the five Student Leadership Tenants to the new orientation leaders. Your group will be responsible for highlighting the content and meaning of the specific portion of the Student Leadership Challenge and how it connects to their orientation role and pertains to incoming students and families. Along with your presentation, your group must provide one handout (40 copies) that outlines your presentation and summarizes key information. On the assigned date, your group will give a presentation and help teach the new orientation leaders (60 minutes). Your presentation must include at least one activity and should connect to the SJSU orientation experience.

CRITERIA FOR ORAL PRESENTATIONS:

Your group will be graded based on presentation of resource topic. Presentations are designed to help you develop your analytical and presentation skills to help better prepare you for your role as a student leader and beyond your time here at SJSU. Presentations will be announced in advance. Students will be evaluated as a group on the following criteria: Technical Explanation: Understanding of topic

4 Oral Presentation: Preparation, Effectiveness of presentation, Group cooperation Professionalism: Appearance, language, attitude

3. One-on-One meetings – This assignment requires each student to schedule and complete one-on-one meetings. These meetings are required but it is recommended that all students check-in as much as needed. You will bring a two (2) page reflection with your thoughts on the class and your growth up until that point. This will help provide feedback for the next year’s course as well as a way for the professor to assess where you are in terms of content.

4. Exams - There will be two exams (a midterm and final) during the semester covering reading assignments and/or materials covered in class/small group discussion sessions.

5. Awareness Assignments (Extra Credit)- You will have the opportunity to opt-in on several optional training opportunities. These short training opportunities will better prepare you for your role as a student leader and student mentor of our Spartan community, along with learning tools and resources that SJSU offers to help better support our student community. You will be expected to attend the entire training and write a 2 page reflection assignment of your experience and how you will use the training and tools to enhance your experience and better support your fellow peers at SJSU. Each training is worth 10 points and you can earn up to 30 points. Trainings will be held on every Friday from 2pm-5pm in Clark Hall #140 beginning March 7 th -21st. Papers are due the Monday following the training to receive credit.

Late Assignments – Late assignments will be accepted up to one week after the assignment is due, and assessed a mandatory 10% deduction in points for each day the assignment is late. After one week, late assignments will not be accepted. In order to receive credit and maintain status as an Orientation Staff member, students must complete the course requirements stated above and receive the grade of B or better. If the course requirements are not met according to the point criteria and your agreement, your employment will be terminated.

Point System - Grades will be determined on a 1000-point system. You may review the points you have earned at any point during the semester by meeting with the instructor outside of class.

Orientation Leader Point Breakdown:

5 Reading Reflections (11 @ 20 points each) 220 Department Project/Presentation 100 Leadership in the News 30 Lifeline of Leadership Paper 100 My Leadership Platform 200 One-on-One Meetings with Reflections (2 @ 10 points each) 20 Participation and Discussion 20 Midterm 110 Final Exam 200 ______Total Points: 1000

Extra Credit: Awareness Training Assignments 10 points ea. up to: 30

GRADING SCALE Final grades will be determined as follows: Points Grade Points Grade 1000 – 970 A+ 969 – 930 A 769 – 730 C 929 – 900 A- 729 – 700 C- 899 – 870 B+ 699– 670 D+ 869 – 830 B 669 – 630 D 829 – 800 B- 629 – 600 D- 799 – 770 C+ 599 – Below F

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY Your own commitment to learning, as evidenced by your enrollment at San Jose State University, and the University’s Academic Integrity Policy requires you to be honest in all your academic course work. Faculty members are required to report all infractions to the Office of Student Conduct and Ethical Development. The policy can be found at (http://sa.sjsu.edu/download/judicial_affairs/Academic_Integrity_Policy_S07- 2.pdf ).

ACCOMMODATIONS If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, or if you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible, or see me during office hours. Presidential Directive 97-03 requires that students with

6 disabilities requesting accommodations must register with AEC to establish a record of their disability.

COURSE TIMELINE: (Please note that the course calendar is “subject to change with fair notice”)

*All assignments are due on the dates as listed.