Service Learning Course Designation Form Use this form to request a Service Learning Course Designation for a new or existing course. Proposed course title should end with the following designation: /SvcLrn I. Service Learning Course Dept/Program Subject Political Science Course Number (e.g. SW UG 423) PSCI 466 Course Title (e.g. Addiction Studies/SvcLrn) Nonprofit Administration and Public Service/Service Learning Short Title (max. 26 characters incl. spaces) Nonprofit Adm Pub Svc/SERV Number of credits 3 Instructor name Keri McWilliams Instructor phone and email 243-5159 II. Endorsement/Approvals Complete this form and obtain signatures before submitting to Faculty Senate Office. Please Type/Print Name Signature Date Requestor Andrea Vernon Requestor phone and email 243-5159 Program Chair/Director Ramona Grey Other affected programs Dean Christopher Comer III. UM Service Learning Definition: Service Learning is a method of teaching and learning in which students, faculty and community partners work together to enhance student learning by applying academic knowledge in a community-based setting. Student work addresses the needs of the community, as identified through collaboration with community or tribal partners, while meeting instructional objectives through faculty-structured service work and critical reflection meant to prepare students to be civically responsible members of the community. At its best, service learning enhances and deepens students’ understanding of an academic discipline by facilitating the integration of theory and practice, while providing them with experience that develops life skills and engages them in critical reflection about individual, institutional, and social ethics.
PSCI 466: Nonprofit Administration and Public Service Syllabus The University of Montana Location: Davidson Honors College, Room 119 Time: Thursdays, 3:40 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Instructor: Keri McWilliams, MPA Office: No office on campus (315 S. 4th St. E) Email: Phone: (406) 549-4336 Office Hours: After class on Thursdays, 6:00-6:30 in room 119. If this time does not work for you, please email to schedule an appointment. Course Description Political Science 466, Introduction to Nonprofit Administration and Public Service, is a core course in the national Nonprofit Leadership Alliance certification program and the University of Montana undergraduate Minor in Nonprofit Administration.
Graduate student requirement (50 points): In addition to the service learning reflection paper, each graduate student will apply his or her coursework (service learning, reading course materials, participating in the online discussion board and class discussion, and attending and participating in class) to develop a product that will benefit the nonprofit for which the student has performed service. Project proposal (5 points): Due October 16 by email to keri.mcwilliams@mso.umt.edu. Project (45 points): Due December 4 by email (or in class, if email is not practical) to keri.mcwilliams@mso.umt.edu. Quiz (15 points/5% of grade): On one class day between September 18th and October 16th, students will take a quiz. The quiz will consist of a case study and subsequent questions. The quiz ensures students engage with course materials in a way that encourages a thorough approach to typical problems presented in the nonprofit world. The quiz also serves as preparation for the final exam. A sample case study can be found at the end of this syllabus. Final exam (60 points/20% of grade): The final exam will be conducted during finals week. The exam will consist of 2 case studies, similar to the quiz case study of equal weight. Service Learning Reflection Paper Details: Reflection is an integral aspect of service learning. Through reflection, students should be able to demonstrate key learning objectives achieved through the service experience. Your reflection paper provides the opportunity to apply the readings and class teachings to your service learning experience in a meaningful way. Please address the following questions in your paper: Reflect on the assumptions you brought to the course. How did your perspectives about the nonprofit sector change over the course of your service learning experience? Reflect on your specific learning experience: What worked? What would you change? How did you feel about the process? What advice do you have for the organization where you served? Reflect on how you will use what you learned in this class in your future personal, professional and/or academic endeavors. Guidelines for the paper include the following: 4-5 pages in length (not including the reference page) Double spaced, typed, 12 point font Include a reference page Include 5-7 citations from course readings throughout the paper Use APA, MLA or ASA or another academically recognized format of your choice (citations and references must be consistent throughout the paper) Use correct grammar, sentence structure and spelling