Course Overview:
This course will provide an overview of the reform movement in undergraduate education that has brought a renewed emphasis on the concept of student learning. Particular attention will be given to the role Student Affairs plays in helping institutions build a campus environment that promotes learning, particularly through the development of initiatives that connect student's in-class and out-of-class experiences. The course will explore the implications of this movement on the future of the Student Affairs profession and the individual careers of course participants. Participants will also explore and gain an understanding of learning communities and living learning programs.
This course is presented in conjunction with Reslife.net.
Course Outline:
The module for the first week will provide an introduction to the undergraduate reform movement in higher education that has shaped new directions for student affairs professionals. A historical context will be provided and will include the key national research findings that have influenced the renewed interest on student learning -both inside and outside of the classroom.
The second week will provide an understanding of the importance of developing quality partnerships between academic and student affairs in order to create seamless learning environments on our campuses. We will gain an understanding of the characteristics of the academic and student affairs cultures and will explore strategies for helping student affairs professionals establish sustainable partnerships with academic colleagues.
The third week will provide an overview of a variety of new learning-centered initiatives that have been created in response to the undergraduate reform movement. These will include learning community models, living learning programs, service learning initiatives, the Freshman Year Experience and more.
Learning Outcomes:
Upon completing the course, participants will:
- Have an understanding of the historical foundations of the student learning reform movement
- Have an understanding of the academic and student affairs cultures and will gain skills in how to build quality partnerships with faculty colleagues
- Have an understanding of current trends in co-curricular program development
- Set strategies and action plans for how they will utilize this information in their own work setting.
Participant Expectations:
Participants should plan to spend up to five hours per week in this course. This will include time to read the materials, review the lecture and participate in exercises and discussions. The asynchronous discussion board (allowing participants to be engaged in the course at a time that is most convenient for them) will be an important tool for enhancing participant learning.
Individuals registering for CEUs will receive 1.0 CEU upon successful
completion of the course.
