	Student Affairs Practice Dr. Beverly Burnell

Syllabus: CLG 506A, Fall 2003

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Class Meetings: Thursdays, 4:10 -6:40 pm, Ward Hall, Room 120

Instructor: Dr. Beverly Burnell

Phone: 564-4177

Office: Ward Hall, 107A

Office Hours: W: 2:00 - 5:00; T: 1:00 - 4:00; and by appointment

Email: beverly.burnell@plattsburgh.edu

Course Description:

History, philosophy, purpose and functions of student affairs in varied higher education settings. Student affairs services, issues, problems, and models for designing, implementing, managing, and evaluating student affairs programs.

CLG 506 is designed to provide an introduction to student affairs work in the college and university setting through a review of its historical context; philosophical and practical bases; organization and administration; specific programs; and contemporary issues and trends. The course addresses both skills and theoretical perspectives intended to build a sense of purpose about the culture of student affairs practice, with a focus on the roles carried out by student affairs professionals in American higher education.

Methods of Instruction:

In-class and on-line discussion, job shadowing and other experiential activities, text and journal/professional newsletter readings and use of internet resources, and group work in completion of a program design proposal are the primary modes of attending to course content and processes.

Course Objectives:

The student will:

examine the historical and philosophical development of student affairs practice in higher education;
identify and assess current issues and problems in student affairs and higher education practice;
identify and review services and programs developed and undertaken to address issues that affect the development and functioning of college students;
evaluate legal and ethical considerations related to the practice of student affairs;
apply ethical standards for student affairs professionals to case material;
analyze the role of the student affairs counseling professional in facilitating college student development in pluralistic higher education settings;
examine the role of racial, ethnic, and cultural heritage, nationality, socioeconomic status, family structure, age, gender, sexual orientation, religious and spiritual beliefs, occupation, physical and mental status, and equity issues in student affairs;
examine theories and models of organizational behavior and management, leadership development, and organizational change and decision-making; and
develop consultation skills for working effectively with faculty, staff, families, and other constituencies.

Course Content:

I. Foundations of student affairs

Historical and philosophical perspectives
Organizational structures, programs, and service in higher education and student affairs
Organizational management, change, and decision making
Theories and models of organizational behavior, consultation, and program development and evaluation in higher education
Current practices in policy making, budgeting, personnel selection, supervision, and performance evaluation in student affairs

II. Professional issues and problems of student affairs in higher education

Student affairs roles, functions, and settings
Cultural issues within student affairs practice
Legal and ethical considerations in the practice of student affairs
Trends within the practice of student affairs
Professional organizations
Professional preparation

III. Skills and knowledge requirements for student affairs practitioners

Assessment techniques applicable to higher education environments
Methods of needs analysis applicable to college student populations
Models for designing, managing, and evaluating student affairs programs
Applications of technology within student affairs
Consultation and conflict resolution skills

Required Texts:

Blimling, G., & Whitt, E.J. (1999). Good practice in student affairs: Principles to foster student learning. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

Johnson, C. S. (1999). Higher education trends for the next century: A research agenda for student success. Washington, DC: American College Personnel Association. (go to ACPA website, then choose this from the menu)

Komives, S.R., & Woodard, D.B. (2003). Student services: A handbook for the profession. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

Whitt, E.J. (Ed.). (1997). College student affairs administration. Needham Heights, MA: Simon & Schuster ASHE Reader Series.

Additional readings on ACPA website, as assigned.

Relevant Journals/Periodicals available in Feinberg Library:

* NASPA Journal (National Association of Student Personnel Administrators)

* Initiatives (formerly the Journal of the National Association of Women Deans, Counselors, and Administrators)

* Journal of College Student Development (formerly the Journal of College Student Personnel – a publication of the American College Personnel Association)

* About Campus (a publication of the American College Personnel Association)

* Journal of Counseling and Development (the journal of the American Counseling Association)

* Journal of Higher Education

* Educational Forum

* College Student Journal

* Change

* College and University

* Chronicle of Higher Education

* On Campus with Women

Additional Resources:

* Journal of College Counseling (from the American College Counseling Association)

* Series: New Directions for Student Services; Jossey-Bass, Inc., Publishers.

* CAS: The book of professional standards for higher education. (from the Council for the Advancement of Standards, Washington, DC.)

Attendance and Participation:

Class attendance is required. If you must be absent, your absence must be made up by completion of an alternative learning experience. Absences not made up by the end of the semester will result in your final grade being lowered one grade for each absence.

Notes:

Students who need accommodations for any disabilities are invited to discuss their situation with me at the end of the first class meeting. Students are also encouraged to discuss with me any classroom situations which cause uncertainty or discomfort.

Written work is to be correct in terms of grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and spelling. All written work is to be typed/word-processed, double-space, and written following the APA style guide for format, citations, reference lists, etc. (See the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 5^th ed., 2001).

All assignments, reading and written, are due on the date stated. If you need additional time to complete a written assignment you must plan for this and discuss it with me at least one week before the assignment due date. Late assignments will be lowered one full letter grade.

In addition to regular attendance and timely completion of reading assignments my expectations of you include: active involvement by relating reading assignments to class topics, bringing in materials and ideas, asking questions, giving considered opinions, tying concepts together, facilitating classmates’ learning, taking an active role in experiential activities, challenging my viewpoint, being responsible for your own learning, and organizing material in a manner useful for present purposes and future needs.

Discussion contributions are to be made from both objective and subjective perspectives, with respect for others, awareness that alternative viewpoints exist, consideration of time constraints, and avoidance of monopolization. You are encouraged to continue our discussion between class periods via the Discussion Forum on the course website. You are also encouraged to subscribe to and follow the discussion on the Student Development (studev-l) listserv. To join this or other student affairs related listservs, go to the url address: http://www.studentaffairs.com/

Course Requirements: Assignments

Course Readings: Readings

Websites related to Student Affairs, College Counseling, and Higher Education:

ACCA http://www.collegecounseling.org

ACPA http://www.myacpa.org

ACUHO-I http://www.acuho.ohio-state.edu/

ASJA http://asja.tamu.edu/

CAS http://www.cas.edu/index.htm

AAHE http://www.aahe.org/

NASPA http://www.naspa.org/

CSPA http://academic.strose.edu/cspa/cspahome.htm

USDOE http://www.ed.gov/