Sewall The Academic Program SEWL 2020: Exploring the New West
Course Description and Policies Course Description This 1-credit civic engagement course evolved from the Sewall Academic Programs collaboration with two nationally recognized units within the College of Arts and Sciences: the Institute for Ethical and Civic Engagement, an award-winning program that facilitates civic engagement opportunities for CU students, and the Center of the American West, an outreach organization that has promoted civic engagement and informed citizenship among Westerners since its founding in 1989. The objectives of the course are to encourage first- and second-year students to develop leadership skills and strengthen connections to the University/Boulder community, and to fellow Sewall students, through civic engagement with local organizations; to analyze how engaged citizens shape Boulder as a specific Western place; to explore civic engagement/career development interests and thus lay groundwork for future internship and employment opportunities with campus and community organizations. Exploring the New West incorporates theoretical considerations of civic engagement and its impact on local communities with hands-on experience. Working in small groups, each under the guidance of a Sewall faculty mentor, students discuss course readings and work with local organizations in one of the following fields: the environment, culture and the arts, politics and public policy, education and mentoring, or humanitarian services. Students will learn about a specific campus or community organization, participate in its programs, and make a final presentation that analyzes that organizations role in the community and reflects upon their own experiences working with it. Last year, during the inaugural year of this unique and innovative course, Sewall students contributed approximately 1000 hours to the CU/Boulder community. Many students developed lasting relationships with local community members and organizations. Requirements Attend all of the scheduled class meetings listed on the syllabus below. Dates at a glance: Aug. 27; Sept. 3; Sept. 10; Oct 15; Oct 22; Oct 29. (Note that there is a break of 4 weeks (Sept. 17 to Oct. 8) to allow students time to complete civic engagement activities with their community partners. Do the assigned reading; post your reflections on the readings on CU Learn and print out a copy to bring to class discussions. Complete at least 6 hours of participation with your community organization. Get a signed affidavit from your community organization indicating your participation. Note: Affidavits are due by October 8. With the other members of your group, complete a final presentation about your community organization. Present your work and share your reflections with Sewall students, faculty, and invited guests on Wednesday, October 29. Grading This is a pass/fail course. To pass the course, you must satisfactorily complete all of the requirements listed above. 2
SEWL2020 Exploring the New West Syllabus Wed. August 27: Meeting #1, Course Introduction
Class Plan: At this first class meeting you will learn about the class and choose an area of interest: the environment, politics and current issues, education, culture and the arts, or humanitarian services.
Wed. September 3: Meeting #2
Class Plan: This will be your first meeting with a group of other Sewall students who share a similar area of interest. Youll be working with a team of 5 students for the rest of the semester. You will also meet the faculty mentor for your group. Finally, you will meet a representative a from community organization in your area of interest, learn more about the work that organization does, and begin scheduling your civic engagement activities.
Wed. September 10: Meeting #3
Preparation: Read Assigned Reading, Pre-Amble from Daniel Kemmis, Community and the Politics of Place (available at http://www.colorado.edu/Sewall/conver.htm). THE PASSWORD IS: sewl2020. Print out the reading so you can bring it to class and refer to it during class discussion. Post reading reflections on CU Learn and bring a copy to class discussion. Class Plan: At this class meeting you will discuss the readings and analyze the relationship between the readings and the mission/work of your community organization.
Wed. September 17-Wed. Oct. 8: Complete Civic Engagement Work
Reminder: Turn in signed affidavits to faculty mentor by 5 pm on Wed., Oct. 8. You may take these to mentors office, or turn them in to the Academic Program office (A292) for delivery to faculty mentors box.
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Wed. Oct. 15: Meeting #4
Preparation: Read Assigned Readings, The Art of the Possible in the Home of Hope from Daniel Kemmis, Community and the Politics of Place and This I Believe (available at http://www.colorado.edu/Sewall/conver.htm). THE PASSWORD IS: sewl2020. Print out the readings so you can bring them to class and refer to them during class discussion. Post reading reflections on CU Learn and bring a copy to class discussion. Class Plan: At this meeting, groups will share and reflect upon their civic engagement experiences and analyze the readings in light of their own experiences working with a community organization. Groups will also begin work on group presentations, based on guidelines supplied by faculty mentors.
Wed. Oct. 22: Meeting #5
Preparation: Bring ideas and materials to put together group presentation. Class Plan: Each group will discuss the main points of its presentation and review guidelines to make sure presentations conform to requirements.
Wed. Oct. 29, Meeting #6, Final Presentations
Class Plan: This concluding class is your groups chance to present its work and experiences to Sewall students, faculty, and invited guests, ...