Class is in session!

Today, Indy left for Mercer University to begin the rigorous two weeks of in class study prior to the three week service trip to Kenya. Lest any of you think this trip to Kenya is just service and hard labor, check out the requirements for the 6 units of credit. It definitely intimidates me, but it is one of things I like most about Mercer. They insist that the students exercise critical thinking skills and challenge their students to consider how they might be active citizens in their communities and the world at large.

Quoting Dr. Andrew Silver, Associate Professor, College of Liberal Arts, Mercer University.

"If you want an education that will light a fire in you that will last a lifetime, that will speak to your mind and heart, this is the place for you. If you want an education that will engage you deeply with the world that came before you, an education that will change your relationship with the world that is in front of you, Mercer is the place for you."


Course work for Hon 320/PLS 385 and Hon 310/AFR 300...

Reflective Journal: 25%

The reflective journal should be kept diligently, i.e. daily. You will never have as fresh a reaction to events as the same day you experience them. You may want to have a very small scratch pad with you at all times for making notes, then transfer them to your journal later. Journals should be entered in a small book, not on loose-leaf paper.

Your journal should not be primarily an account of your daily activities. Rather, you should record what you are thinking and feeling about your experiences with classmates, the people you work with in your service projects, your surroundings, reading assignments for the course, and the world around you.

And yes, these journals will be returned to you; you’ll want to keep these in a safe place and read them to your grandchildren!

Class and Service Participation: 30%

Because of the unique nature of this course and the investment made by the University in each student’s experience, it is not possible to withdraw at any point during the term. You will be expected to work hard on the work sites, to contribute to class discussions, to be on time for class.

Your participation grade will be based on how actively and energetically you engage the readings and the service work in country. I will expect each of you to lead a class discussion prior to traveling to Kenya, to participate actively and meaningfully in class and work site discussions, and to attend every class session on time and awake.

Swahili: 10%

Swahili is a very important part of modern Kenyan culture. You will be graded not on your absolute proficiency in the language, which will of course be impossible to attain during the short time we will be in Kenya, but rather on your effort. I expect you to try to learn as much as you can, to greet Kenyans in Swahili whenever possible, and to make small talk in the markets, at the Integrated Child Development Center (ICDC), in Kampi ya Samaki, in Sisit, and elsewhere.

First Essay: 10%

The first essay will document the extent of the water and/or sanitation problem within Kenya or a different sub-Saharan country [statistics will be presented on water quantity/quality, health impacts, etc], the primary causes of the problem, barriers to resolution, and what has been to done to address the problem. Included in the essay will be an analysis of the factors impacting the issue being researched [eg, population/demographics, urban growth, corruption, financing, politics, etc]. Your paper should be 3 to 5 pages in length, a title page, and a works cited page.

Second Essay: 20%

The second essay will include your assessment of the effectiveness of the efforts to date, and specific recommendations on how to improve the situation. These recommendations will incorporate the lessons learned in class and in country, and include, as appropriate, strategies on improvements in governance, financing, technology, and/or education, etc. It may also identify data gaps that need to be filled in order to better understand the issue. A timeline showing when specific actions can be taken, what metrics should be used to measure success, and results expected in 2015 [the Millennium Development Goal year] and 2030 should be provided. Your paper should be 7 to 8 pages in length, a title page, and a works cited page.

Surveys: 5%

Completion of the two surveys (Community Based Learning Student Survey and Student Program Survey) will be required of every student. In addition, you may be asked to participate in the DIT assessment. Your cooperation with this request is gratefully expected.