Honors Symposium

The Evolution of Community

IDH 1920H (2 Credit Hours)
Monday or Tuesday 4:30-6:50
Nicholson School of Communication (101)
All students will meet once per week in a lecture class and breakout group for two hours and twenty minutes with the course
instructors and Team Leaders. A two hour lab time will be used as needed for training and fieldwork. This course has an online
component that is managed through Webcourses. On a daily basis, students should check for course emails, announcements, and
assignments.

Course Instructors: Dr. Martin Dupuis (BHC 104), Denise Crisafi (BHC 102A)
Teaching Assistants: Team Leaders serve as teaching assistants for this course. They assist with assignments,
lead discussions, and serve as resources for your first semester.
Course Description: This course examines the concept of community from an interdisciplinary perspective
with an emphasis on the ways that we experience the communities that shape us and that we create. A particular
theme of the course is on the responsibility of individual citizens in a democratic society.
Service-Learning: The Honors Symposium is a UCF-sanctioned service-learning class. Service-learning uses
community involvement to apply the theories and skills being taught in the course, to address community needs,
and to gain an appreciation for the relationship between civics and academics. Our service-learning will be done
in partnership with AVID and elementary schools in the Orlando metropolitan area. No student is required to
participate in a service placement with which there is a religious, moral, or political objection. If such an
objection does arise, the student must contact the instructor immediately for an alternative placement site. UCF
offers a certificate in service-learning for students who complete 12 credit hours of this type of course work.
Course Objectives:

Foster a sense of Honors identity and community within The Burnett Honors College
Help students make a successful transition to university life and to Central Florida
Provide students with an understanding of basic tenets of community
Require students to connect and evaluate themes from multiple perspectives through lectures and
discussion
Develop students ability to critically evaluate and communicate information
Prepare students for active learning
Educate students for lives of engaged citizenship

Reading Texts and Selections:

Putnam, Robert and Lewis M. Feldstein. Introduction in Better Together: Restoring the American Community
(New York, NY: Simon and Schuster, 2003). Available on Webcourses.
Moore, Wes. The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates (New York, NY: Spiegel and Grau, 2010).

Required Assignments
Mid-term Paper: A three-four page paper reflecting on the course material is due at the start of Symposium
the week of October 12th. A specific writing prompt will be provided to focus your essay. Papers should be
double-spaced in 12 point font with one inch margins. In addition to your name, include the name of your
Team Leader and a title for the essay.
Final Paper: At the completion of the course, students will write a four-to-five page paper integrating the
service experience, readings, lectures, course theme, and breakout discussions that is due at the start of
Symposium the week of November 16th. Papers should be double-spaced in 12 point font with one inch
margins. In addition to your name, include the name of your Team Leader and a title for the essay.
Webcourses: Students will participate in the online discussion of the readings. Students must respond to the
writing prompt given for the assigned reading, and these responses will be used by the Team Leader during
breakout discussions. Postings should be approximately two-three paragraphs in length (250-500 words),
although longer responses are encouraged. The responses should be focused and coherently integrate examples
with explanations or analysis. Connections should be made between ideas, and postings should offer new
insights. The entries should reflect in-depth engagement of the topic. Students must make their posting by
Sunday at 5 PM of the week the reading is assigned.
Students can access Webcourses by logging into their myUCF portal at https://my.ucf.edu and selecting the
Online Course Tools tab and then selecting IDH 1920H under the Webcourses@UCF section. Students
should check Webcourses on a regular basis for other class announcements, to access readings and assignments,
and to check the grade book.
Break Out Participation: Students will fully participate in break out activities and discussions and will
contribute in a knowledgeable, constructive and professional manner.
Service-Learning Forms: Students will complete all required paper work for their service project.
Final Exam: A final exam is administered in the course and consists of one or two essay questions.
Students can opt out of the final upon successful completion of all course requirements and upon the
recommendation of their Team Leader. Successful completion of all course requirements includes a
satisfactory grade for breakout participation and attendance, completion of the service-learning experience, a
satisfactory grade on both the mid-term paper and final paper, and an overall satisfactory grade on Webcourses
postings. Students who are required to take the final exam will report to BHC 127 from 4:30-6:00 PM on
Monday, December 14 (Monday night Symposium students) or Tuesday, December 15 (Tuesday night
Symposium students)

General Class Policies

Students will email their Team Leader with their KNIGHTS E-MAIL and phone number by the end of the first
week of classes. Please note, only a Knights e-mail will be used for all university business.
Students are expected to treat each other, guest lecturers, and all Symposium participants with respect and to
give their attention to the individual who is speaking. This course encourages discussion of diverse ideas and
experiences and is premised on professionalism and courtesy for others.
Please turn off cell phones during class lecture and breakout discussion sessions. Answering a phone or text
messaging during class is not permitted. Laptops, iPads, iPods or other electronic devices and printed materials
not relevant to class are not needed during the class.

Academic dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. If you are uncertain as to what constitutes academic
dishonesty, please consult The Golden Rule, the University of Central Florida's Student Handbook
(http://www.goldenrule.sdes.ucf.edu/) for further details. In addition, students are expected to abide by the
Burnett Honors College Honor Code.
Students should occasionally check the myHonors portal:
https://my.honors.ucf.edu/login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2f. This portal allows students to register for Honors
College events and check their Honors status at the end of each semester.

Grading Policy
In order to receive a grade of Satisfactory for the Honors Symposium, students must:

Attend, be on time, and be prepared for all lectures, breakout sessions, and labs. Attendance is
mandatory. In cases of illness or emergency, students must notify their Team Leader prior to the start of
class or lab and provide appropriate documentation.
Fully participate in team breakout sessions after each lecture.
Complete the service-learning field experience.
Produce high quality, thoughtful, and reflective written work (postings and papers).
Complete and turn in all assignments on time. Assignments must be completed before Symposium
begins. Late assignments will not be accepted.

Honors Symposium Paper and Webcourses Posting Grading Rubric

Grade

Description

Satisfactory

(B or better on
traditional
grading scale)

U
Comprehension

U
Clarity
U
Composition

The response addresses all aspects of the prompt.

The response includes relevant examples from the Symposium service-learning
experience, class lectures, The Other Wes Moore, and external examples when
required by the prompt.
There is evidence of an insightful understanding of the student's experience.
Ideas are presented in a logical, interesting way that enhances the effectiveness of
the response.
The response contains no or almost no grammar, spelling, or punctuation errors.
The response meets basic expectations for comprehension, but makes minimal
attempt to connect the service experiences with class lectures, discussions, and/or
reading materials. There is a simple reporting of experiences without reflection.
The response is general and does not directly address the prompt. There is no
attempt to connect the service experiences with class lectures, discussions, and/or
reading materials.
The response is incomplete, or shows little effort. There is no attempt to address the
prompt.
Ideas are presented in a logical way but without sufficient detail or context.
Ideas are difficult to understand because of lack of organization and/or clarity.
Ideas are incomprehensible because there is little or no organization and/or clarity.
The response contains many grammar, spelling, or punctuation errors.

The University Writing Center (UWC) is a free resource for UCF students. At the UWC, a trained writing consultant will work
individually with you on anything you're writing at any point in the writing process from brainstorming to editing. Appointments are
recommended, but not required. For more information or to make an appointment, visit the UWC website at http://www.uwc.ucf.edu
or call 407.823.2197.

Honors Symposium The Evolution of Community Lecture Schedule 2015

August 24/25

Opening Night

August 31/1

Dr. Nancy Stanlick (Philosophy)

Integrity and the Honors Community

September 7/8

Labor Day, No Class

September 14/15

Service Learning Training

September 21/22

Eddie Foster, Assistant Principal, Sun Ridge Middle School

The State of Education in Orange County: A First Hand Account

September 28/29

Belinda Boston (Assistant VP, Student Development and Enrollment Services)

Honoring Intersectionality of Identity

October 5/6

A Place at the Table (film)

October 12/13

Dr. Richard Lapchick (DeVos Sports Business Management)

Sport and Social Justice

October 19/20

Jeff Moore (Music)

Drum Circles as Metaphor of Community

October 27
Tuesday

Wes Moore (Author)

Mondays Symposium will meet with Tuesdays in the Pegasus Ballroom

November 2/3

Monday: Jack Blitch, Walt Disney Imagineering

Tuesday: Tim Arnst, Universal Resorts, Senior VP for Human Resources

Corporate and Civic Responsibility

November 9/10

Dr. Joanna Mishtal (Anthropology)

Medical Anthropology and the Global Community

November 16/17

Dr. Ann Gleig (Religious Studies)

Religion and Community

November 23
Monday

Provosts Symposium: A Celebration of Service and Learning.

Class will only meet on Monday in the Pegasus Ballroom in the Student Union. Barring
class conflicts, all Tuesday night students must attend the Provosts Symposium.

November 30/Dec. 1 Looking Forward to the Honors Community

Lab Schedule and Assignments

Week of
August 24
August 31
September 7
September 14
September 21
September 28
October 5
October 12
October 19
October 26
November 2
November 9
November 16
November 23
November 30

Week
August 24
August 31

September 7
September 14

September 21
September 28
October 5
October 12
October 19
October 26
November 2
November 9
November 16
November 23
November 30

Lab Schedule
No Meeting
No Meeting
Advising Knights, Student Union
No Meeting
Service-Learning Observation
Service-Learning Lesson 1
Service-Learning Lesson 2
Service-Learning Lesson 3
Service-Learning Session 4 (TUESDAY ONLY)
Service-Learning Lesson 4 (FRIDAY ONLY)
Service-Learning Make-up Visits (No Transportation Provided)
No Meeting
No Meeting
No Meeting
No Meeting

Assignments
No Assignment
Complete online OCPS Registration Form (www.volunteer.ocps.net)
Read Chapter 1 of The Other Wes Moore
Complete Webcourses Posting on Chapter 1 by 5:00 PM on August 30
Read Chapter 2 of The Other Wes Moore
Complete Webcourses Posting on Chapter 2 by 5:00 PM on September 6
Read Chapter 3 of The Other Wes Moore
Complete Webcourses Posting on Chapter 3 by 5:00 PM on September 13
Complete Webcourses Posting on Service-Learning Expectation by 5:00 PM on
Sunday, September 13
Read Chapter 4 of The Other Wes Moore
Complete Webcourses Posting on Chapter 4 by 5:00 PM on September 20
Read Chapter 5 of The Other Wes Moore
Complete Webcourses Posting on Chapter 5 by 5:00 PM on September 27
Read Chapter 6 of The Other Wes Moore
Complete Webcourses Posting on Chapter 6 by 5:00 PM on October 4
Mid-term Paper: Due at the Start of Symposium
Read Chapter 7 of The Other Wes Moore
Complete Webcourses Posting on Chapter 7 by 5:00 PM on October 18
Read Chapter 8, Epilogue and Afterword of The Other Wes Moore
Complete Webcourses Posting by 5:00 PM on October 25
Read Better Together Introduction (pp. 1-10)
Complete Webcourses Posting by 5:00 PM on November 1
No Assignment
Final Paper: Due at the Start of Symposium
No Assignment
No Assignment