CIVC 101: First-Year Civic Engagement Course

My Civic Engagement
Section: 019
Placement:
Winter Term 2015
Date/Time: Tuesdays 10:00-10:50am
Location: Drexel Plaza GL22
Course Instructor: Amber Cardamone
Email: alc329@drexel.edu
Phone: 215-895-1889
Office Hours by Appointment: Call or email to schedule
Teaching Assistant: Annia Jasper
Email: arj57@drexel.edu

Course Syllabus
1. Course Description:
The First-year Civic Engagement course is designed to help students
develop skills as active participants in a pluralistic, democratic society
through direct service, education, and reflection opportunities. The
course will cover key concepts and frameworks for understanding civic
engagement, including: trends of civic life in American society; history
of civic engagement in higher education; university-community
relations; and public service leadership. Through the course, students
will strengthen critical thinking skills regarding myriad social issues in
the context of active civic participation. Students will also enhance
their learning through structured discussion and reflective learning
assignments.
2. Course Learning Outcomes
Consistent with the mission and vision of the Lindy Center for Civic
Engagement and the Universitys strategic plan to produce students
who are responsible citizens, the learning outcomes for this course are
to:

Enhance and reinforce each students learning through

community-based service experiences.
Provide opportunities for students to begin thinking about how
the ideals of social responsibility and public service can be part
of their professional lives.
Assist students in developing their personal and political efficacy
as a result of their classroom learning and civic engagement
experiences.

3. Requirements and Assignments (based on 100% scale)

The first requirement of this course is that students do the reading
assignments, think critically about them, and come to class prepared
to discuss them in-depth. This is very important. The course will not
be nearly as useful to students personal and intellectual growth if they
do not participate. Moreover, my teaching philosophy includes that
students learn directly from the readings and civic engagement
experiences and my job is to facilitate that learning with relevant
discussion, lectures, and reflection.
Participation, Attendance and Effort: (15%)
It is up to each student to fulfill the requirements of this course, which
include following along with the readings, class discussion, civic
engagement projects and reflection papers/assignments.
Each class, a record will be kept of each students participation in class
discussion with thoughtful comments and questions. This class
participation will count for one-third of the participation, attendance
and effort grade. Discussion posts will also be available to engage
participation outside of the classroom setting.
Attendance will be taken at the start of each class. Students are
allowed one absence before points are deducted from their final grade.
Class attendance will count for one-third of the participation,
attendance and effort grade. In the event of absence, please contact
your instructor and TA to notify them.
The idea of effort is an attempt to reward students that come to class
on time, participate in the discussion, do not disturb the class with
talking or sleeping, are proactive about assignments and avail
themselves of my assistance when needed. In other words, we like to
see students that are engaged in this course and take it seriously. A
students effort during the semester will count for one-third of the
participation, attendance, and effort grade.
Civic Engagement Project (5%, 5%, & 40%)
In combination with a students classroom learning, each student will
be assigned a civic engagement project with the Philadelphia Science
Festival over the course of the term. The purpose of the civic
engagement project is to give students an experiential learning
opportunity in Philadelphia that both is informed by class readings and
discussions, and informs knowledge accumulation in those areas.
Students who complete the sign-up process on time (before the 2nd
class) will earn a full 5% for the sign-up portion of the assignment.

Completing the group paper about differentiated learning and

individual roles in preparation and during the science presentation will
be worth another 5%. Completing all scheduled service shift will result
in an additional 40%. Deductions will be taken due to signing up for
service late and/or not completing the paper or scheduled service. For
more details about the service policy and sign-up procedures, please
refer to section 6 in this syllabus.
Assignments (35%)
In conjunction with doing civic engagement, students will submit 3
assignments with the goal of reflecting upon and learning from their
civic engagement projects. Questions to prompt students in these
assignments are listed below respectively. Due dates are posted on the
course schedule found below. All assignments will be submitted via BB
learn unless otherwise noted.
#1 Reflection Paper (10%): Submit a 2 page paper (12pt
Times New Roman font, 1 inch margins) that answers and
reflects upon the following questions:
1. In your own words, define civic engagement. What does
it mean to you? Is it valuable?
2. What was your initial thought and continued thoughts
on Civic 101 being a required course for all Drexel
students? What do you hope to gain and/or learn
throughout this class?
3. How might you, a college student, make a difference in
the community in which you will live, serve or in which
you have lived or served? Or how can you use what
youre learning in this class to do something useful for a
community organization?
#2 Creative Project (10%): This is your chance to be creative
in expressing what civic engagement at Drexel University or
within the Philadelphia community means to you. Make a video
clip, graphic design, images, social media posts, blog, etc.
Follow-up questions regarding your submissions will be asked by
your instructor and TA that will require you response.
#3 Presentation (15%): Using media/presentation software
(i.e. Microsoft PowerPoint, Prezi, Camtasia, etc.), create a
presentation with audio summarizing the content you learned in
this class and during your service project. Utilize the questions

below to help guide your presentationsome food for thought.

You do not need to answer all the questions but rather use them
as food for thought or talking points to summarize your overall
experience in this course.
1. What did you not know at the beginning of the term that
you know now because of this course or your community
engagement?
2. What have you learned and how have you grown
through your community engagement?
3. How can you use what youve learned in this class to
help a community organization dedicated to improving the
lives of people?
5. Describe 2 specific concepts or issues that you know
now because of your service-learning experience.
6. Specifically list two or more skills or attitudes connected
to your civic engagement project that you could now apply
to volunteer or paid work with a community organization.
7. Tell us a story about how your community service helped
solidify your learning of the course concepts.
8. How has your service-learning connected to your overall
university education and your experience overall to inform
your understanding of your major? Speak about 1
particular moment that was a turning point in your
formation within this major.
9. After your service-learning experience, how do you now
see yourself being an advocate to interrupt systems of
inequality?
Grading Scale
A+
A
AB+
B
BC+

100-98
97-94
93-90
89-87
86-84
83-80
79-77

C
CD+
D
F

76-74
73-70
69-67
66-60
59-0

4. Drexel University Policies

The links below will direct you to Drexel University policies.

Academic Integrity, Plagiarism, and Cheating Policy

www.drexel.edu/provost/policies/academic_dishonesty.asp

Students with Disability Statement

http://www.drexel.edu/oed/disabilityResources/students/

Course Drop Policy

http://www.drexel.edu/provost/policies/course_drop.asp

5. Course Schedule:
Week 1:
January
6, 2015

In-class orientation to the course learning and civic

engagement goals. Review of syllabus. Overview of using
Sign-up Genius software to schedule service placement.
ASSIGNMENT FOR NEXT WEEK:
Read Parts 1 & 2 of the Technically Philly State of STEM
series
Part 1: STEM graduation rates show uphill battle with math
and science in School District
Part 2: Lack of citywide STEM education vision leaves
Phillys skilled workforce in jeopardy

Week 2:
January
13, 2015

Foundations of Civic Engagement: Students will cover

the definition and various meanings of the term civic
engagement and be introduced to the range of civic
engagement in the broader society.
Discuss Parts 1 & 2 of the Technically Philly State of STEM
series
ASSIGNMENT FOR NEXT WEEK: Use Sign-Up Genius to
register for a Science Festival service group.
Registration opens at 7am on Thursday, January 15.

Week 3:
January
20, 2015

Presentation from the Franklin Institute Representative-Al

Bruno
Review of Science Festival service groups and expectations.
Discuss Technically Philly State of STEM series
*Assignment #1 (Reflection Paper) due at midnight:
See syllabus for details.
ASSIGNMENT FOR NEXT WEEK: Have one group
member pick up project supplies from the Lindy
Center and bring them to class next week.

Week 4:
January
27, 2015

Read: Corporation for National and Community Service

(Sept. 2011) Civic Life in America: Key Findings on the Civic
Health of the Nation.
Barbara Jacoby (2010) Civic Engagement in Todays Higher
Education: An Overview (pgs 1-14).
Service project group work bring all materials to
class
Discuss Parts 1 & 2 of the Technically Philly State of STEM
series
Review of logistics of traveling to service, Tips on Being a
Good Volunteer, WIRED for Success Drexel Diversity
conversation.
ASSIGNMENT FOR NEXT WEEK: Submit one group
paper explaining differentiated learning techniques
for various age groups and how each group member
will contribute to the overall science demonstration
Read: Michael Schudson (2003) How People Learn to be
Civic.
Read Parts 3 & 4 of the Technically Philly State of STEM
series
Part 3: State and District math and science policies leave
gaps in competitive STEM curriculum
Part 4: Citizens work alongside the school system to
strengthen District STEM

Week 5:
February
3, 2015

Active Citizenship: Students will examine conceptions of

citizenship and issues regarding community-based learning
experiences for todays university students.

ASSIGNMENT FOR NEXT WEEK: Read: Andrew Hahn,

Casey Coonerty and Lili Peaslee (2004) Colleges and
Universities as Economic Anchors.
Week 6:
February
10, 2015

*Assignment #2 (Creative Project) due at midnight:

See syllabus for details.
No Class

Week 7:
February
17, 2015

University-Community Partnerships: Students will learn

about the various roles universities have filled in their host
communities and how institutions of higher education take
part in community development.
ASSIGNMENT FOR NEXT WEEK: To be assigned

Week 8:
February
24, 2015

Discussion Board Posts

Week 9:
March 3,
2015

Civic Engagement Leadership: Recognizing civic

responsibilities and the value of civic engagement as related
to community development, students will examine and
explore leadership techniques as demonstrated by
university and community members.

No Class

In-class presentation on Civic Engagement

Opportunities at Drexel
Week
10:
March
10, 2015

*Assignment #3 (Reflection Paper) due at midnight:

See syllabus for details.
Group reflection and wrap up.

6. CIVC 101 Service Policy and Sign-Up Procedures

Scheduling Your Service
During your first week of class, you will receive descriptions of all of
the organizations and service shifts for your CIVC 101 service
requirement. On Saturday, January 10 at 9am, the signup sheets for
these shifts will all go live. You will be able to access these lists through
the Service Sign Up document on Blackboard Learn. Students will use
SignUpGenius.com for service registration. A SignUpGenius tutorial is
also available on Blackboard Learn.
**Your service selection must be finalized before your class in
Week 2.
Signing up for service is an assignment. Five percent (5%) of your
grade is dependent upon signing up for your service prior to your
second scheduled class, and 45% is your remaining service grade. If
you sign up for service on time, you will automatically receive a 5%
Sign Up Credit. If you are having trouble identifying a service
opportunity, please contact your TA prior to your second class.

Failure to sign up or contact TA before 2nd class: 2%/5 % Sign Up

Credit
(Max 47% out of 50% service grade)

Failure to sign up or contact TA before 3rd class: 1%/5% Sign Up

Credit
(Max 46% out of 50% service grade)
Failure to sign up or contact TA before 4rd class: 0%/5% Sign Up
Credit
(Max 45% out of 50% service grade)

**Missed Service and Schedule Changes

After Week 2 when schedules are finalized, you are only guaranteed
one makeup shift or schedule change throughout the term. Students
do NOT receive one free service absence; all missed shifts
must be made up. If you need to miss or change more than one shift,
it is up to the discretion of the CIVC 101 team and the partner site to
allow additional make-up shifts. After Week 2, all schedule
changes must be requested through your TA. You cannot edit
the signup sheets.

Students who change or miss service, with at least 24

hours advance notice

This counts as a missed shift, but students who give advanced

notice will be given priority in selecting their makeup shift. If
medical issues cause a student to miss more than one shift, they
must present a doctors note.

Students who miss service, with less than 24 hour notice

This counts as a missed shift, and you must contact your TA and
make an effort to reschedule to request a makeup. If you do
not let your TA know that you need a makeup, you are
not guaranteed to be scheduled for one. Remember,
organizations are counting on you to serve during your
scheduled time!

Site Cancellations
Occasionally, an organization may have to cancel your service shift. In
the case of a site closing due to inclement weather, natural disaster, or
organizational issue, etc, you will not be required to make up service if
you are informed after 5pm of the day preceding your service of the
cancellation. If notice is given prior to 5pm on the preceding day, you
will be expected to reschedule and make up this shift. If all of your
shifts are cancelled without prior notice, you will be required to
complete at least one shift at a CIVC 101 partner organization to
receive service credit.
Receiving Credit for Your Service
In order to receive credit for your service, you must:

Attend your service on time on your scheduled dates. You will not
receive credit if you show up unscheduled, arrive late, or leave
early
Complete any forms required by the organization prior to your
first visit. Failing to fill out these items may affect Drexels ability
to track your service hours
Sign in and out onsite on the CIVC 101 sign in sheet during each
visit
Not receive any disciplinary action or complaints from the service
site

The completion of the service requirement is ultimately the

responsibility of the student. Students must promptly

communicate and resolve all service related issues with their

TA. Failure to do so may result in a reduction of the final grade.

7. Roles and Responsibilities of Drexel Faculty & Staff Involved

in this Course
Faculty/Staff
Your Instructor:

Your TA:

Role/Responsibility
Your instructor oversees
delivery of the course content,
manages the class, and is
responsible for all assignments
and grading.
Contact your instructor if you
have questions about the
syllabus, assignments, or
course-related issues.
Your TA is responsible assisting
you with your service
placement.

Contact
See the course
syllabus for
contact
information

See the course

syllabus for
contact
information

Contact your TA if you have

questions about when you
should go to service, how to
get to service, and any other
information pertaining to your
service site.

Catherine Fuller

Jennifer Johnson
Kebea

Contact your TA immediately if

you are going to miss a
scheduled service placement.
Program Assistant
Center for Civic Engagement.
Responsible for community
partnerships, service
placements, and supervision of
the TAs.
Interim Director of the Lindy
Center for Civic Engagement
Responsible for general
oversight of the course.

cef83@drexel.e
du
215.895.6296
3210 Cherry St.
Philadelphia, PA
19104
jpj38@drexel.ed
u
215.895.2097
3210 Cherry St.
Philadelphia, PA
19104