SYB 115

STUDIES IN SOCIAL PROBLEMS

SPRING 2009

W. DOANE

 

 

 

                SOCIAL PROBLEMS PROJECT—PEER TUTORING

 

 

Description:

 

In conjunction with your service learning activity, you will keep a journal of your experiences.  Your journal will be a forum in which you undertake sociological analyses of your service-learning activities and the social problem(s) to which it is related.  You will be asked to discuss material from a series of readings that are designed to provide context for your volunteer experience.   In addition to responding to the reading, you should apply the readings (and course concepts where relevant) to analyze your experiences.  In general, the purpose of the journal is for you to think (socio­logi­cally) about the issues/problems addressed by your service learning activity.

 

I expect six journal entries for the semester—five 2 or more page (typewritten) entries and one longer “final” entry.  Details on journal content are provided below.  While final evaluation of journals will not be until the end of the semester, you are encouraged to submit drafts of entries for comment prior to grading.  You will also be expected to keep a log of your volunteer activity and to submit this at the end of the semester.  Please contact me immediately if you experience problems with your service-learning activity or journal.

 

Topics:            [PLEASE READ CAREFULLY]

 

  1. Read the New York Times article “College Dropout Boom.”  Write a general response in which you look at dropping out of college as a social problem (causes, consequences, etc.).  What issues in the article did you find most relevant or interesting?  How does this article compare/contrast with your own observations as a college student?  How is it relevant to class discussions of the book Ain’t No Makin’ It?  Click here to gain access to a copy of the article.

 

  1. Read the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette series “Back To School: Ready or Not” about the obstacles faced by entering first year college students.  Write a general reaction to the articles.  What issues in the article did you find most relevant or interesting?  How does this article compare/contrast with your own observations as a college student?  What conclusions can you draw about college success/failure?  Click here to gain access to the first part of the article.  Click here to gain access to the second part of the article.

 

  1. Read the article “Does Tutoring Help?”  Write a general reaction to the article.  Based upon the article and your own experiences and observations, what do you think needs to be done to improve college tutoring programs?  Click here to obtain a copy of the article.

 

  1. Read the article “Instructional Challenges to Success.”  Write a general response.  What conclusions can you draw about the challenges students face and the resources (study skills, personal skills) that they have to deal with them?  How do the findings of the article compare/contrast with your own personal experiences and observations?  Click here for a copy of the article.

 

  1. Read the Chronicle of Higher Education articles “What States Must Do” and “The Challenge for Colleges.”  Discuss the debate over how states and colleges need to address the problem of student readiness for college.  What are the key arguments made by the various authors?  Which proposals/ideas do you find to be most persuasive?  Why?  Click on the titles of each article to view a copy.

 

  1. [Final Entry—should be done during last week of classes]  The final entry in your service learning journal should be an essay in which you reflect upon your service learning experi­ence.  Summarize/discuss what you have learned from your volun­teer work--about yourself, about volunteer work, about the social prob­lem(s) addressed by your volunteer work, and about society in general.  Are there any course concepts/sociological concepts that you feel are particularly relevant to understanding your experiences?  I expect that this entry will be more comprehensive (3-4 pages) than your weekly entries.

 

 

Final Submission:

 

Your final project submission should contain the following:

 

·                    Journal entries (as described above).  All journal entries should be typewritten.  Be sure that you have completed ALL required entries.

 

·                    Completed volunteer activity log forms.  You may--at your option--submit any comments given to you by your supervisor.

 

 

Journals are due no later than Monday, May 11.  Late submissions will not be accepted.

 

 

Evaluation:

 

Evaluation of your journal will be based on (1) the depth and insightfulness of your journal entries and (2) the clarity of your writing.  While you will not be graded on volunteer activity attendance as such, failure to keep your commitment will be reflected in your grade (significant lapses in your volunteer activity will result in your receiving a failing grade for your project).  In addition, you are encouraged (but not required) to obtain and submit a letter of evaluation from the contact person­ or supervisor for your volunteer activity.  Be sure to devote adequate time and effort to your journal as it will comprise 33% of your grade for this course.

 

Extra Credit [OPTIONAL—may be done to improve your grade]:

 

    Read the Chronicle of Higher Education article “perception gap” on the differences between how high school teachers and college professors view students’ preparation for college.  What are the most important/most interesting findings in the article?  What conclusions can your draw about the problems faced by many entering college first year students?  What solutions are implied by the article?  Click here to view a copy of the article.