General Studies (GNST) 50138 - Lecture 01
Advanced Peer Mentoring
Winter 2007
M 16:00 - **  

Instructor:	Dr. Tania S. Smith
Office Location:	SS 254
Office Phone:	220-7774
E-Mail:	smit@ucalgary.ca
Web Page:	http://www.ucalgary.ca/~smit
Office Hours:	By appointment

Additional Information

** Class start and end times will vary between 16:00 and 19:30, as noted on the Schedule at http://www.ucalgary.ca/%7Esmit/GNST501/Schedule.htm Advanced peer mentors will welcome new peer mentors into the classroom around 17:00. Sometimes all advanced peer mentors will stay after 17:00 to participate in a combined class, and sometimes only two advanced peer mentors (by sign-up) will stay later than 17:00. On a few days your start time will be 1 hour later at 17:00 to coincide with the new peer mentors.

Course Description

An advanced level of Collaborative Learning and Peer Mentoring, this course involves students in supporting peers with their learning processes using a facilitative, collaborative approach. Although the course structure is similar to the introductory level 501.35, advanced peer mentors will have a different set of required readings on learning theories, and will be encouraged to take on new or more challenging peer mentoring roles, or to try a new host course placement. Advanced peer mentors will also help to "mentor new mentors" in the introductory course. The final term project will contribute to the expansion and strengthening of peer mentoring and collaborative learning knowledge and/or education through original student research and/or communication products.

Objectives of the Course

1. To continue to work toward goals articulated for 501.35

2. To explore some new or extended peer mentoring roles or a different host course placement

3. To complete a new final project which not only reports on the learning that occurred during the term but also contributes to the expansion and strength of peer mentoring knowledge and education through original student research and/or communication products.

Textbooks and Readings:

A Course Pack of photocopied Readings will be available, supplemented by online readings. Ask the cashier at Bound & Copied, the SU Used bookstore in the basement of MacEwan Hall.

Assignments and Evaluation

It is the student's responsibility to keep a copy of each submitted assignment.

Note: Please return assignments directly to the instructor if possible. If it is not possible to do so, a daytime drop box is available in SS110; a date stamp is provided for your use. A night drop box is also available for after-hours submission. Assignments will be removed the following morning, stamped with the previous day's date, and placed in the instructor's mailbox.

Submission online via email is permitted to hand in work by the deadline, but final versions of assignments should be submitted in "hard copy" within 2 business days of the deadline, either in person or to SS110.

5% Advanced Mentoring Proposal (Jan 15). Your mentoring roles should be planned already through pre-term planning meetings and email. Therefore, in this new proposal, you only articulate what's new and continuing in your role and goals, and say more about your term project ideas.

35% Final Project (April 13). A tangible contribution to the future GNST 501.35 community and peer mentoring in higher education. Outcomes may be in the form of a research report, a creative presentation, or part of a "Handbook for New Peer Mentors," or an event & event report. It can also be a combination of one or more of these elements. A draft of written components is required by Wed. March 28

25% Midterm Portfolio (March 5). Components of the portfolio are collected throughout the term, and activity logs are submitted on a weekly basis. The portfolio is submitted at Mid-term and End of term in two separate instalments that are graded separately. Portfolios include weekly logs and email records, and may include student survey results and feedback from peers and host instructors. The Advanced Peer Mentors' Midterm Portfolio also includes two unique documents: A) a log and reflection on mentoring the new mentors and B) a progress report on the term project.

25% Final Portfolio (April 13). This includes practicum communication & records collected since the Midterm Portfolio. It includes peer observation reflections on 2 NEW peer mentors' mentoring activities, due by March 19. The Advanced Peer Mentors' Final Portfolio also includes A) a final log & reflection on "mentoring new mentors," and B) a short report on what you accomplished and learned in your Host Course peer mentoring this term.

10% Class Participation. This score includes class attendance and discussion, any activities which replace class time, consultations with Dr. Smith as necessary, and a community midterm potluck or final social.

GRADES: Assignment scores will be given on the 4 point scale and/or its equivalent letter grade (i.e. B+ = 3.3). The score of A+ will be awarded to students whose course work average is A if they also have an excellent class participation record.

COLLABORATION: Students will read and review drafts of each other's writing. Students will also collaborate openly with the course instructor and host instructor, documenting all significant communication via email carbon-copied to both instructors. The evidence of the quality, regularity, and ethics of your tutoring interactions will impact your individual grade on related assignments and participation components, so if you encounter problems, communicate promptly with both instructors to work on an acceptable solution.

RESEARCH ETHICS: Students will learn about, and be expected to follow, university research ethics requirements as they conduct field research for their assignments (tutoring evaluation surveys, observation of peer learning, quoting from private email and discussion with writers' prior consent). This course has obtained course-based ethics approval from the faculty research ethics committee. You are responsible for following university research ethics guidelines. For more information about your research ethics responsibilities, see the U of C Research Ethics “Information for Applicants,” sections 3.0 to 9.0, inclusive: http://www.ucalgary.ca/UofC/research/documents/ethics_info_applicants.do...

INSTRUCTOR'S RESEARCH: To improve the quality of teaching in this subject area, your instructor occasionally analyzes data about student learning that is gathered naturally in the course of teaching, and may present these findings at conferences or in academic publications. Unless you give signed consent, data specific to your course work and participation will not be included in such research. During course evaluation time, or after the course is over, the instructor may hand out consent forms or email you a request to use your work outside of the course. You are free to decline participation or withdraw participation at any time. Any signed consent forms will not be seen by the instructor until after the final grades have been submitted.

Registrar-scheduled Final Examination: No

Please note: If your class is held in the evening, the Registrar's Office will make every attempt to schedule the final exam during the evening; however, there is NO guarantee that the exam will NOT be scheduled during the day.

Policy for Late Assignments

Assignments submitted after the deadline may be penalized with the loss of a grade (e.g.: A- to B+) for each day late.

Writing Skills Statement

Faculty policy directs that all written assignments (including, although to a lesser extent, written exam responses) will be assessed at least partly on writing skills. For details see www.comcul.ucalgary.ca/info. Writing skills include not only surface correctness (grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, etc) but also general clarity and organization. Research papers must be properly documented.

If you wish help with your writing at any stage, including drafts, you are invited to contact the Writing Centre, SS110, 220-7255.

Grading System

The following grading system is used in the Faculty of Communication and Culture:

A+/A (4.0); A- (3.7); B+ (3.3); B (3.0); B- (2.7); C+ (2.3);
C (2.0); C- (1.7); D+ (1.3); D (1.0); F (0)

 

Plagiarism

Using any source whatsoever without clearly documenting it is a serious academic offense. For details see www.comcul.ucalgary.ca/info. Consequences include failure on the assignment, failure in the course and possibly suspension or expulsion from the university.

You must document not only direct quotations but also paraphrases and ideas where they appear in your text. A reference list at the end is insufficient by itself. Readers must be able to tell exactly where your words and ideas end and other people’s words and ideas begin. This includes assignments submitted in non-traditional formats such as Web pages or visual media, and material taken from such sources.

Please consult your instructor or the Writing Centre (SS110) if you have any questions regarding how to document sources.

Students with Disabilities

If you are a student with a disability who may require academic accommodation, it is your responsibility to register with the Disability Resource Centre (220-8237) and discuss your needs with your instructor no later than fourteen (14) days after the start of the course.

Students' Union

For details about the current Students' Union contacts for the Faculty of Communication and Culture see www.comcul.ucalgary.ca/info

"SAFEWALK" Program -- 220-5333

Campus Security will escort individuals day or night -- call 220-5333 for assistance. Use any campus phone, emergency phone or the yellow phone located at most parking lot booths.

Schedule of Lectures and Readings

Available online at http://www.ucalgary.ca/%7Esmit/GNST501/Schedule.htm and subject to change.