Inside-Out Prison Exchange: Civic Leadership
6 credit Capstone
Winter 2012
UNST 421-510, CRN 44133
Monday and Wednesday 5:45-8pm
Coffee Creek Correctional Facility, Wilsonville
24499 SW Grahams Ferry Road Wilsonville, OR 97070
INSTRUCTOR:
Amy Spring, M.P.A.
Center for Academic Excellence
303A Cramer Hall
, 503/725-5582
Office Hours: by appointment
Teaching Assistant:
Misty,
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The Inside-Out Capstone course you are in provides an opportunity for a small group of students from Portland State University and a group of residents from Coffee Creek Correctional facility to exchange perceptions about crime, justice, and how societal structures and culture define crime, justice. We also will explore civic and social responsibility and how civic engagement contributes to community strength and self. Crime is often explained as an example of a person’s bad “personal choices.” In this class we will not deny that persons who find themselves in the justice system have ended up there by way of poor personal decisions. Yet we will also explore how social conditions disproportionately predispose certain communities toward life in the justice system and the ways that we can take leadership to respond to these conditions. We will examine the connection between civic engagement and concepts of leadership by marrying theoretical knowledge and practical experiences in weekly meetings extended throughout the term. This course will be held with a group of women at Coffee Creek, and topics will include criminal justice, corrections, and civic engagement’s role in a democracy.
Overarching University Studies Learning Goals:
Inquiry and Critical Thinking: Students will learn various modes of inquiry through interdisciplinary curricula—problem-posing, investigating, conceptualizing—in order to become active, self-motivated, and empowered learners.
The Diversity of Human Experience: Students will enhance their appreciation for and understanding of the rich complexity of the human experience through the study of differences in ethnic and cultural perspectives, class, race, gender, sexual orientation, and ability.
Ethics and Social Responsibility: Students will expand their understanding of the impact and value of individuals and their choices on society, both intellectually and socially, through group projects and collaboration in learning communities.
Communication: Students will enhance their capacity to communicate in various ways—writing, graphics, numeracy, and other visual and oral means—to collaborate effectively with others in group work, and to be competent in appropriate communication technologies.
In this class inside and outside students will:
Enhance presentation and research skills by writing no less than 5 short papers and facilitating a 40 minute class discussion and exercise that furthers understanding of reading
Formulate/examine/discuss opinions about policies pertaining to criminal justice and incarceration and how research supports or does not support personal positions
Develop an understanding of civic engagement and community participation as a leadership and community building tool for strong democracy
Assist those involved in further developing their capacities for both written and oral self-expression
Create an environment that will facilitate the honest and constructive exchange of ideas in a dialog format
Provide an experiential setting for the students to test and hone their theoretical understanding of various criminal justice, correctional, and civic engagement by doing a class based group project
Develop the analytical capacities of those involved regarding various perceptions of and perspectives on these issues
Engage in self reflection and self assessment as a means to articulate a personal philosophy of leadership for the common good.
Explore important theories of leadership
Understand and practice key civic leadership skills, including: a) written and oral communication; b) listening, synthesis and analysis; c) project planning with community audiences; d) group process facilitation; and e) collaborative decision making, among other skills
Create a collegial connection between those on the outside and those on the inside
COMMUNITY PARTNER:
Coffee Creek Women’s Prison http://www.dlrgroupjustice.com/justice/portfolio/prisons/coffee_creek.htm
Contact: Kirk Bennett, Interim Director of Education,
REQUIRED BOOKS:
Davis, A. and Elizabeth Lynn, The Civically Engaged Reader: A Diverse Collection of Short Provocative Readings on Civic Activity. The Great Books Foundation, 2006.
Prisoners Once Removed: The Impact of Incarceration and Reentry on Children, Families, and Communities, edited by Jeremy Travis and Michelle Waul, is available in paperback from the Urban Institute Press
Additional readings may be assigned in class.
Grading:
Students will be graded on a percentage scale out of 100 points.
94-100% = A 77-79% = C+
90-93% = A- 74-76% = C
87-89% = B+ 70-73% = C-
84-86% = B 60-69% = D
80-83% = B- < 60% = F
Basis for Overall Student Grade:
· (25%) Class participation and attendance: Each class is worth one point, for a total of 20 points, with an additional 5 points determined based on in-class discussion and participation.
· (30%) Reflection Papers: Throughout the term, you will write 5 reflection papers worth six points each. You must utilize the specific guidelines provided for these papers.
· (20%) Class Presentation: Students will organize into student teams of 2 or 3. The student team will facilitate a 40 minute presentation/discussion at some point during the term. This discussion/presentation will require you to facilitate a discussion and lead a short activity related to the reading
· (15%) Final Integrative Paper
· (10%) Personal Civic Leadership Statement - during our class on finals week, each person will have up to 5 minutes to formally present responses to the 4 prompts below:
§ Before I started this class I thought ______about civic leadership.
§ During this course I learned ______.
§ Civic leadership now means ______to me.
§ Therefore, now I will ______.