Assignment

The overarching goal of this course is for students to develop awareness and skills to sustain and advance the communities in which they live. To that end, over the 6 weeks of the course, you will develop a socially responsible approach to addressing a specific social issue of interest and concern. Through a series of project assignments, you will analyze current research and perspectives, determine potential solutions to the social issue, develop a publicity campaign proposal, reflect on personal learning, and develop a Final Presentation on actions that might be taken to carry out your vision of social change regarding this issue.

General Education Learning Outcomes

The assignments in this course integrate the following General Education Learning Outcomes.

Discovery: Students will locate and identify appropriate sources of information using multiple sources and methods, including bibliographic, textual, experiential, and experimental research.

Evaluation: Students will critically assess texts and arguments in multiple forms and contexts using quantitative and qualitative logic, the scientific method, ethics, and pragmatics.

Expression: Students will effectively and ethically communicate information and opinions verbally and nonverbally using written, oral, behavioral, and visual methods adapted for diverse audiences and purposes.

Perspective: Students will be able to articulate the consistency and flexibility of knowledge as it is experienced across time, space, and culture.

Change: Students will articulate how their ability to discover, evaluate, and express ideas from different perspectives is instrumental in their progress toward achieving personal goals and effecting positive social change.

• Introduction
• Summary of the problem
• Potential solutions
• Key actions that you as an individual can take
• Objectives/desired outcomes of each action
• Expected objectives for the immediate future and 5-10 years from now
• Conclusion

The following should be evident in the Final Project:

• Research (using sources to formulate the presentation)
• Explanation (articulating the issue or problem to be addressed)
• Analysis (looking at the connections between the facts and assumptions when discussing your issue)
• Stance (taking a definitive perspective and calling for specific goals)
• Understanding (acknowledging any counter perspectives or problems related to proposed solutions)
• Implementation (listing concrete steps-both personal and collective-that might be taken to solve the problem).