Azusa Pacific University
School of Education and Behavioral Studies
901 East Alosta Avenue, P.O. Box 7000, Azusa, CA 91702
Fall I (September 3 - November 4) 2002

Azusa Pacific University is an evangelical Christian community of disciples and scholars
who seek to advance the work of God in the world through academic excellence
in liberal arts and professional programs in higher education
that encourage students to develop a Christian perspective
of truth and life.

 

 

Course:            CSA551 Introduction to College Student Affairs

                    4:45-9:15 pm - Thursday, Darling 409

 

Instructor:      Dr. Dave McIntire, Professor
                        College Student Affairs and Leadership Studies
                        Azusa Pacific University
                        Email: dmcintire@apu.edu
                        Department Secretary: Marylen Hart
                        Phone: (626) 815-5485
                        FAX:  (626) 815-5484

Course Description

An introduction to and overview of the field of college student affairs is offered with emphasis upon its historical and philosophical foundation, its basic documents, and its universities.  Students survey and analyze the typical programs and services which the college student affairs field delivers within American colleges and universities.

Desired Student Outcomes / Objectives

            By the conclusion of the course all students should have developed...

            1. ...a working knowledge of the historical development of the profession of college student affairs;

            2. ...an understanding of and appreciation for education as a spiritual journey;

            3. ...an understanding of schools of philosophical thought and their implications for the practice of college student                 affairs;

            4. ...an understanding of the essential values underlying the student affairs profession and the ability to translate these                 values into practice;

            5. ...an understanding of the basic functions of the various services and programs provided by student affairs                 professionals;                                                                                                                                

            6. ...an understanding of and appreciation for the evolving roles and responsibilities of student affairs professionals;

            7. ...an understanding of the breadth of professional student affairs literature

            8. ...an awareness of biblical principles foundational to the service of college students.

Basic Texts

Rentz, Audrey L. &  Associates (1996) Student affairs practice in higher education, 2nd

Edition. Springfield, Illinois: Charles C. Thomas Publisher, LTD. (ISBN:  0-398-06675-2).

Palmer, P.  (1993).  To know as we are known:  education as a spiritual journey.  San Francisco:  Harper.  (ISBN: 0-06-066451-7)

McIntire, David D., editor (2002) Student affairs:  a professional heritage – a handbook of readings describing our rich history.

Course Requirements / Assignments

          1.  Informed Contribution: (20 points)

The hallmarks of an effective graduate class involve (1) punctual ATTENDANCE, (2) focused ATTENTION, (3) ready PREPARATION, and (4) involved PARTICIPATION.  (A short one page document summarizing one’s course contribution in each of these four areas is due by the final deadline date.  A letter grade for each area is also to be included.  Both summaries and letter grades will be taken into account along with instructor’s evaluations in determining a participant’s  “contribution” assessment.)

            DUE DATE:  October 26th.

            2.  Complete “Student Affairs Competencies” list.

            DATE DUE:  September 6th.

            3.  History of Higher Education & College Student Affairs Paper (15 points)

Write an 8-10 page paper on the history of higher education and the emerging field of college student affairs in America.  Include the relevant commission reports, Federal legislation, and the cultural influences that have shaped our profession.

            DATE DUE: September 27th.

            4.  Professional Interviews: (15 points)

Conduct personal interviews (in their offices) with at least three student affairs practitioners who have each been in the profession for at least ten years.  Prior approval of each person to be interviewed needs to be given by the Instructor.  These individuals should be in at least two different institutions and should reflectboth the public and private sectors.  Interviews will be based on questions developed by the class.  The findings of the interviews should be compiled in an 8-10 page paper.

            DATE DUE:  October 11th.

            5.  Journal Articles:  (5 points)

Read five (5) journal articles and write a one-page abstract of each.  The instructor will give guidance as to the appropriate journals for new professionals to draw from.

            DATE DUE: October 18th.

6.  Read the primary text (Barr): (15 points) 

Write a “fat paragraph” reaction to each chapter (1/3 or ½ page of your reaction to the essence of what the author included as important to know about the topic.  Please don’t try to summarize what the chapter was about but rather what your “take” is on this topic based on the readings.

DUE DATE:  October 25

            7.  Specialist Presentation: (10 points)

Each class member will give a 25-30 minute presentation on one function in college student affairs and for that area will:

- Provide an historical and current overview of that function; (75%)

            - Choose and report on a recent journal article that addresses a current significant issue; (15%)

            - Research and obtain membership information on relevant professional development organizations; (7%)

- Bring copies of relevant journals and other resources to share with the class. (3%)

            DATE DUE: As assigned in class the first evening.

8.      Electronic web page design:  (5 points)

Students will demonstrate competence in web page design by the end of the term by the design and completion of a minimum of a three page web site.  The site will include a home page to be linked with two sub-pages.  Websites must include links to and from each page for easy navigational purposes, a minimum of two bookmarks for the site, links from the site to outside web pages, pictures or images, and use of tables for design purposes.  The site must be visually appealing and be viewable in both Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator.  Completion of this project will be demonstrated with a live website (students can upload their sites for free off the APU server).

9.  Final Examination:  (15 points)

Reasoned Stand:  Throughout the plenary sessions, the instructor will extract from discussions, readings and lectures, the “key questions” which under gird this course’s area of study, i.e., questions which one should understand and be able to intelligently answer as a sign of increasing comprehension and inquiry regarding CSA.  For the final examination, two (2) questions will be assigned from among these “key questions” and two (2) additional questions will be chosen at the student’s choice.  Open books and notes will be permitted as students “craft” their most reasoned and knowledgeable responses to the four (4) questions during the time allotted.

Final exam scheduled for October 29th. The exam will be sent via email to each student at 5:00 pm on Monday, October 29th. Students will schedule up to two hours (in one setting) to respond to the four questions and return them electronically to the instructor before 12:00 noon on Thursday, November 1st.

Options:  Interested students may propose other means (different than those outlined this course.  To do so, such students are to submit thorough and well-reasoned proposals (appropriate to graduate-caliber study) in sufficient time (September 20, 2001) for the instructor to review (accept or modify) the proposal and the student to complete it prior to the end of the semester.

Course Schedule:   “A Tentative Menu”

September              06            Introductions, Overview of course, Expectations (bothways), Reception, Syllabus, “Student                                                 Affairs Competencies” list

                                13            Historical Heritage of Higher Education, Origins and Development of Student Affairs Profession

                                                Assignments:  Barr 3-24; McIntire 1-74

                                20            Sandy Caminiti, Associate Dean of Students (special guest) group interview of a student affairs professional

                                                Philosophical Heritage and Evolution, Professional Standards, Associations, and Publications

Student Activities (Kristin Menson) and Residence Life (Jenny Lei),

                                                Assignments:  Barr 492-507; McIntire 122-157;                                            

                                 27           Institutional Mission, Governance, and Campus Environments, Counseling (Traci Grenz), Financial Aid (Christine Lamoreaux), Community Service Learning (Shawn Delp).

                                                 Assignments: Barr 25-72; McIntire 291-325

October                   04            Organizational and Administrative Models Budgeting and Fiscal Management

                                                Web page design for student affairs in computer lab – Stacy Wade (1 and 1/2 hours)

                                                Electronic Search process in computer lab – Debbie Quasi

                                               Orientation (Sara Cole), Career Planning and Placement (Kelli Helsel), Campus Safety         
                                               Murray), Commuter Students (Becky Herring).

                                                Assignments: Barr 73-96, 121-134,135-153 and 327-346;                        

                                  11          Conflict Management, Theory to Practice to Theory,

Academic Advising (Eddie Marquez), Student Discipline (Mason Murphy), and Admissions (Rue Hough).

                                                Assignments: Barr 393-409, 285-310; McIntire 284-290      

                                  18         Program Planning, Campus Community Relationships, Partnerships with Academic Affairs

                                                Special Student Populations: International Students (Rachel Cheng), Minority Students (Kerri Cissna), Greek Students (Matt Visser), Learning Assistance (Kevin Morris).

                                                Assignments:  Barr 311-326, 377-392, 425-452                                

                                   25        The Chief Student Affairs Officer:  The Leader at the Helm,

                                                Dr. Terry Franson, Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students (special                                                 guest)

                                                Simulation in Student Affairs (second half of class)

                        Assignments:  Read Parker Palmer’s To Know As We Are Known:  Education as a                         Spiritual Journey

                                                ^ class will be held at the McIntire’s home in San Dimas           

                                                CAFÉ evaluation 

November              09         *Friday, 7:30 am departure for Cal State University – Long Beach with a 4:00 pm return to campus.  Eleventh Annual Student Development in Higher Education Institute, “ Transforming Higher Education to Promote Student Learning.”                                                         

                                                Criteria for written projects:

Grade level               Learning level                     Definition and example

C                                 Knowledge and                  Remembering & understanding an idea or fact in a form similar

                                    comprehension                    to the way it was presented.                                                                                                                                                                                          

C*                                Application                         Implies comprehension: applying a fact to a real or simulated situation: 

                                                                                e.g. defining  “value” and identifying 3 examples.         

B                                  Analysis and                        Analysis involves the breakdown of the material into its parts &

                                     Synthesis                             perceives the relationship between the parts. Synthesis is defined as 

                                                                                putting the parts together to form a whole, combining information

                                                                                into patterns and structures.

A (range)                      Evaluation                           Making judgments about the value of ideas, methods of materials

                                                                                with rationale for judgments.  Involves some combination of all other

                                                                                behaviors - knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis and         

                                                                                synthesis.

Expectations and Evaluation:

 

1 -Incompletes: According to the Graduate Education Faculty Handbook:  “An incomplete is given only under special circumstances and is not to be used simply because students are not able to complete work in the allotted time.  ‘Incompletes’ are initiated by the student well in advance of the end of the semester with the use of the Official Incomplete Form signed by both the student and instructor.”

2 - Papers, presentations and projects will be evaluated by the following criteria:

            •Organization (coherence, logical and substantive progression of ideas)

            •Scholarship (knowledgeable use of relevant literature)

            •Comprehension (analysis/synthesis; demonstrated understanding of concepts)

            •Mechanics (grammar, spelling, appropriate citation format)

            •Delivery (presence with participants, handouts, AV, activities, creativity)

            +Citations and bibliographic references for all assignments should be in accordance with the Publication Manual of the American Psychological  Association.\

3 - All assignments are to be completed and submitted according to the specified due dates included in the course syllabus in order to receive full credit.

4 - Basic proficiency at the graduate level is considered “B” work.  The designation of “A” work is reserved for exceptional scholarship, depth of  comprehension, and quality of reasoning.  Work which demonstrates minimal proficiency is assigned the grade of “C”.

5 - Class attendance and active participation are expected.

6 - Academic Integrity and Other Issues

            Azusa Pacific University maintains that all educational programs will uphold the tenants of academic integrity. Therefore any violation of these tenants by students in this course will result in disciplinary action up to and including course failure.  Please refer to the Azusa Pacific Graduate Student Handbook, Graduate Catalog, and the bulletin for the CSA program for information of registration, adding and dropping courses, incompletes, academic integrity, and other academic and procedural issues.  Note in particular that presentation of  work by others as one’s own carries serious consequences.  All quotations  should be in quotation marks or parallel indented and single-spaced; all paraphrases should be footnoted; and borrowed ideas should be traced and attributed to their original source.

7 - Any student in this course who has a disability that might prevent him / her fromfully demonstrating her / his abilities should meet with an advisor in the Learning Enrichment Center as soon as possible to initiate disability verification and discuss accommodations that may be necessary to ensure full participation in the successful completion of course requirements.

8 - Fundamental Principles of Graduate Study

A student’s enrolment in graduate study is a major investment of personal energy, time and financial resources.  It should also indicate an acceptance of and commitment to the following responsibilities:

Internal Locus of Control.  Graduate study pulls the instructor back from doing all the teaching, directing, motivating, and entertaining.  It presumes both that the learner has a vested interest in the subject matter and is ready, willing, and able to fill the void with non-passive, inquisitive, and conscientious behaviors.  The instructor may start the proverbial “vehicle” (appropriate to the particular degree’s integrity) and point the vehicle in the crucial course direction.  However, the instructor must soon move to the “back seat” and function as a guide and resource.  In this way, the learner not only observes, but also further hones his or her ability to “drive” – focusing direction, seeking guidance, enacting movement, and assessing progress.                                                                                                                                      

Focused Participation.  Curiosity, informed statements, involvement, attentive discussion, positive attitude, openness to ideas, and quality of scholarship as exhibited in writing, preparation, and honorable interpersonal relationships – all collectively comprise a true PROFESSIONAL-AT-WORK (committed, competent, curious, courageous, compassionate, choiceful, and congruent).  When these characteristics manifest themselves – by intention- within a “learning laboratory,” a level of profound insight (individual and corporate) becomes possible. 

Serious Accountability.  By the end of the effective period of study (regardless of the grade earned), one should be more competent, aware, and perceptive regarding the topic(s) under investigation than when the period began…even if the competence, awareness, and perception are of nothing more than the very real and honest limits of one’s knowledge.

Deliberate Initiative.  Ask for what you need.  The answer may be “yes”; the answer may be “no”; however, not to ask is to leave it to chance or to presume others to be mind-readers.  ASK!  Similarly, be forthright in soliciting whatever information (feedback) you want from the instructor and other students.  Feedback is the process by which those factors (in this case, YOU!) that produce a result are themselves modified and strengthened by that result.  Students are encouraged not to deny themselves this source of information.

Honesty, Integrity, and Professional Ethics.  Insofar as higher learning purports to enable deeper insight and self-understanding, those who carry, or seek to carry, “higher” degrees are expected to manifest a meticulous diligence in distinguishing between ideas that are their own and those that have been derived from other sources.  Credit is to be given where credit is due.   

            When All is Said and Done. 

Ideas are poor ghosts until they become incarnate in a person.

Then they look out through eyes of compassion.

Then they touch with redemptive hands and shake the world like a pa ssion.

                                                        -George Eliot, 1819-1880

 

It would be serious blunder to permit ideas alone-or, even worse, the matter of assignments/grades-to be the primary focus.  Students in Graduate Education (those who are serious about making the novice-to-expert shift) must be committed to a much more involved, thorough, and significant “primary focus.”

Written work should be of professional quality. Graduate students are expected to demonstrate critical thinking and skillful expository writing throughout their coursework. This course provides ample opportunities to demonstrate both.

 

 

 

 

 

course syllabi