Spring 2003

This information effective for Winter 2003. Check with instructor the first day of class for any changes.

Kresge College

[KRSG-012B]

12B. Service Learning

Instructor: Roger Bunch

Course Description:

Students in this 2-unit class work in a volunteer position for 32 hours (four hours a week for eight weeks), examine the experience through class discussion one hour a week, keep a journal (around 2 pages per week), read assigned articles (around 10-15 pages a week), write a short (3-4 pages) final essay, and a shorter (1-2 pages) reflection on your work experience. Enrollment is limited to 15 students; Kresge students have priority; there are no prerequisites, and the course may be repeated for credit. A 3-unit variation of the course, Kresge 12A, is usually offered winter quarter.

If you are interested in the course, I recommend finding a volunteer placement as soon as possible. Some organizations require volunteers to attend trainings that are offered only occasionally. Also, public schools and other institutions where you are left alone with children, may require fingerprinting, which takes several weeks. For these and other reasons, it is important to get started on finding a placement and taking care of such formalities as soon as possible.

Many students do arrive the first day of class not knowing where they will volunteer, so don't despair if you can't find a placement, but by waiting you may limit your possibilities.

Though I do make exceptions, I generally prefer that you not work for a religious organization and work in a position that involves social change and substantive work (rather than, for instance, stuffing envelopes). Otherwise, virtually any position is fine as long as 1) you aren't getting credit from another class for it, and 2) they accept you: some organizations, for instance, might ask that you commit to a minimum of six months if they're going to take the time to train you.

If you're unsure where you'd want to volunteer, consider your interests, your major, and your future career goals. The following institutions (among many others) accept volunteers, though, in some cases, they may require training or ask for more than four hours a week.

Animal Shelter
Barrios Unidos
Beach Flats Community Center
Familia Center
Homeless Garden
Legal Aid
Life Lab (school gardens)
Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary
Public or Private Schools
Resource Center for Nonviolence
Save Our Shores
Tutoring
United Farmworkers Union
Women's Center
Women's Health Center

Be sure to check with the Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County (www.scvolunteercenter.com), and Amanda Ballard of CitySERVE at 454-2987 for ideas.

If I can help you choose a volunteer position, or you have any other questions, please e-mail me at rbunch@ucsc.edu.

Sample Syllabus for Kresge 12A/12B

Required Text: The course reader, available at Slug Books, 224 Cardiff Place (phone 469-7584)

Week 1
M 1/6. Intro to course

Week 2
M 1/13. Submit journal entry. Discuss reader pp. 1-11.

Week 3
M 1/20. Holiday. No class.

Week 4
M 1/27. Submit journal entry. Discuss reader pp. 12-19.

Week 5
M 2/3. Submit journal entry and two research paper topics. Discuss reader pp. 20-24.

Week 6
Submit journal entry and Prospectus. Discuss reader pp. 25-36.

Week 7
M 2/17. Holiday. No class.

Week 8
M 2/24. Submit journal entry and rough draft of final essay. Discuss reader pp. 37-43.

Week 9
M 3/3. Research paper due.

Week 10
M 3/10. Self-evaluation and portfolio due.

There will be no final examination.