Course syllabus for International Studies 420, Peru section
In the Footsteps of the Inca
International Service-Learning in Arequipa, Peru
May 24 to July 15, 2006
Instructor: Nancy T. Guthrie
Professor of record: Dr. Kathy Leonard
Contact information
Email: Nancy (nguthrie@iastate.edu ) or via WebCT email
Course objectives
To provide opportunities for each student to use the Spanish language in a service-learning context and, thus, improve listening and speaking skills.
To study the community of Arequipa and the particular institution with whom each student works as a means to learn about the social, political, and economic situation of the developing world.
To use readings, class discussion and personal journals to help students reflect upon experience and take responsibility for their own learning within guidelines agreed upon between instructor and group/individuals. Reflection is the key component of student learning in service-learning.
Resources
Most readings and materials will be available via WebCT and should be accessed thru an Internet connection. Since Internet cafés are quite popular in Arequipa, access should not be a problem but you will be expected to pay for computer time as you use it for assignments.
How to Serve and Learn Abroad Effectively: Students Tell Students (International Partnership for Service-Learning Press, p. 26-71.) is on WebCT as “Service-Learning Handbook”. Read it occasionally throughout your service experience.
Required text
Chisholm, Linda A. Charting a Hero’s Journey. New York: International Partnership for Service-Learning Press, 2000.
Calendar
(see itinerary on WebCT site for activities and Spanish classes; also check the Calendar tool on WebCT for International Studies 420)
As flexibility is key in Peru, know that this schedule is subject to change!
Journal entry Due Dates: May 31, June 2, June 5, June 7, June 12, June 14, June 19, June 21, June 26, June 28, July 3, July 5
Meetings for group reflection: May 30, June 1, June 5, June 8, June 13, June 15 (short)
June 5-9: Individual orientation to service sites by appointment; last week of full-time classes
June 14—Learning objectives due
June 19—signed Service-Learning Contract due
July 6— last day of Service-learning
July 8 & 9—Presentations of final projects
Journals
Each of you will be submitting journal entries via WebCT or in writing. You may use the Email tool for submissions that you do not wish to share with the group. Otherwise, you may use the Discussion tool. Journal entries will not be graded, per se, but are required on time for successful completion of this course. Please read the article on Journaling under Course Content for more guidelines regarding content of journal submissions. There are questions to prompt you and possibly a model journal entry for your reading pleasure linked to the Calendar tool on WebCT on the date each entry is due. Please feel free to write and submit entries BEFORE the due date. These are deadlines, but the earlier you start writing, the more opportunities we have for interaction and feedback.
Service requirements:
Plan to spend 15-30 hours per week at your service site and another 5-10 hours per week in activities related to service work, such as class meetings, journal writing, interviews or other integrative projects.
Each student should plan to meet twice with the instructor individually over the service-learning portion of the program. A sign-up sheet will be provided to schedule these sessions.
Assignments and Evaluation (as percentage of total grade):
| Individual Learning Objectives and Contract | 20% | |
| Participation in group meetings | 20% | |
| Journal entries submitted and other writing | 30% | |
| Integrative final project | 30% |
Grading Scale:
| A+ = 99–100% | B+ = 87–89 | C+ = 77–79 | D+ = 67–69 | F = 0–59 | |
| A = 94–98 | B = 83–86 | C = 73–76 | D = 63–66 | ||
| A- = 90–93 | B- = 80–82 | C- = 70–72 | D- = 60–62 |
As you work with clients and/or staff at your service site during the first days of service, create your own learning objectives/outcomes and discuss these with both your on-site supervisor and with Nancy. Together, both your individual objectives and the outcomes that you decide with your supervisor will form your learning plan and will be formalized in the Service-Learning Contract. It is YOUR responsibility to make sure this gets done, even if your supervisor is not as accessible as you would like. Alternately, another staff person may sign the Contract, but be sure your supervisor also approves it at a later date. We will rely on the supervisor or other staff to help evaluate your performance in achieving your goals and objectives, as well as punctuality, reliability, responsibility and willingness to use Spanish skills. We will collect the signed contracts on or before June 14 and return copies for you and your supervisor on June 19.
Final projects
Please read the article about Integrative Projects under Course Content in WebCT. This should be creative and bring together your total experience of service-learning. As much as possible, it should be in Spanish and include items that you have produced at your service site, excerpts from your journal (even if not included previously on WebCT), reports on interviews or critical incidents you have written or other means of integrating your experience.
Reminder
Plagiarism will not be tolerated in any form. You are still subject to all aspects of the Code of Conduct as Iowa State University students. Just site your sources.