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Resident Assistant Class Syllabus
[Insert Instructor, Day and Time of Session]
Course Description
This course provides an introduction to the Resident Assistant position, diversity and inclusion,
self reflection, and current obstacles within housing. Students will explore the culture of Housing
and Residential Life Office, Pace University, and the greater New York community. Explore
how these cultures and other broader societal structures influence residence life and the
connections we build within the residence halls. This course will be conducted over six weeks
facilitated by a professional staff member of the Housing and Residential Life Office.
Learning Outcomes of Course
Upon successful completion of the RA Class, students will be able to
1. Describe the roles and responsibilities of a Resident Assistant at Pace University.
2. Identify resources within Pace University and the community to better serve their
residents and peers during presentations and guest speakers throughout the sessions.
3. Develop knowledge on diversity, inclusion, and equity and how they play a role in
development of community and interpersonal relationships through discussions on
systematic oppression and privilege.
4. Display skills to respond and intervene with residents with mental difference in crisis and
non-crisis situations through mental health training.
5. Demonstrate their leadership philosophy they will use as a Resident Assistant through a
final presentation at the end of the course.
Assignments
The students will be responsible for six journal entries over the course of the class. Following the
prompts, listed below, students will display their knowledge in current events, self awareness,
systematic oppression, and housing. The journals will be graded based on the Journal Rubric
listed in the rubric section. Journal entries should be saved as LastName.WeekNumber.Date
Journals must be at least two pages in length but no more than three pages. Journals that do not
meet these requirements will receive an automatic zero.
Journal Prompts
Week1 Introduce yourself. This week is very open to how you want to introduce yourself.
Some questions you can answer to help: What are you passionate about? What is one
thing you would like your instructor(s) to know about you? Why do you want to be
an RA?
Week2 What has your experience been during your time at Pace University? Do you know
what office you would go to talk about financial issues? Stress? Class schedule
issues?
Week3 When someone asks “who are you?” how do you respond? Name a compassionate](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/1000e344-25d4-4871-a180-64745ba63604-151001193215-lva1-app6891/85/Resident-Assistant-Class-Syllabus-1-320.jpg)
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Meeting and Assignment Schedule
Date Topic Assignmentdue
Week 1
[Insert date]
FindingYour Why
Discoveryourwhyforwhat youwant
to do.Discusshow thisplaysintowho
youare as an RA and as a mentor.
Journal #1
Week 2
[Insert date]
Welcome toPace: Res Life 101
Introductiontoresources,culture,
and general overview of residence life
at Pace University.
Journal #2
Week 3
[Insert date]
SelfAwarenessand Time Management
Get to knowyourfellow classmates
and yourself better.Alsolearneffective
time managementskills.
Journal #3
Week 4
[Insert date]
Know Your Privilege
Explorationof systematicoppression
privilege,intersectingidentities,and
howtheyall playa role inthe
developmentof yourhousing
community.
Journal #4
Week 5
[Insert date]
Mental Health Workshop
Currenttrends,signs,androle
playingactivities todevelopadeeper
understandingof mental healthin
highereducation.
Journal #5
Week 6
[Insert date]
Wrap Up
Reflectionof the RA classand
opportunitytoansweranyfinal
questions.
Journal #6](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/1000e344-25d4-4871-a180-64745ba63604-151001193215-lva1-app6891/85/Resident-Assistant-Class-Syllabus-5-320.jpg)
Resident Assistant Class Syllabus
- 1. 1 Resident Assistant Class Syllabus [Insert Instructor, Day and Time of Session] Course Description This course provides an introduction to the Resident Assistant position, diversity and inclusion, self reflection, and current obstacles within housing. Students will explore the culture of Housing and Residential Life Office, Pace University, and the greater New York community. Explore how these cultures and other broader societal structures influence residence life and the connections we build within the residence halls. This course will be conducted over six weeks facilitated by a professional staff member of the Housing and Residential Life Office. Learning Outcomes of Course Upon successful completion of the RA Class, students will be able to 1. Describe the roles and responsibilities of a Resident Assistant at Pace University. 2. Identify resources within Pace University and the community to better serve their residents and peers during presentations and guest speakers throughout the sessions. 3. Develop knowledge on diversity, inclusion, and equity and how they play a role in development of community and interpersonal relationships through discussions on systematic oppression and privilege. 4. Display skills to respond and intervene with residents with mental difference in crisis and non-crisis situations through mental health training. 5. Demonstrate their leadership philosophy they will use as a Resident Assistant through a final presentation at the end of the course. Assignments The students will be responsible for six journal entries over the course of the class. Following the prompts, listed below, students will display their knowledge in current events, self awareness, systematic oppression, and housing. The journals will be graded based on the Journal Rubric listed in the rubric section. Journal entries should be saved as LastName.WeekNumber.Date Journals must be at least two pages in length but no more than three pages. Journals that do not meet these requirements will receive an automatic zero. Journal Prompts Week1 Introduce yourself. This week is very open to how you want to introduce yourself. Some questions you can answer to help: What are you passionate about? What is one thing you would like your instructor(s) to know about you? Why do you want to be an RA? Week2 What has your experience been during your time at Pace University? Do you know what office you would go to talk about financial issues? Stress? Class schedule issues? Week3 When someone asks “who are you?” how do you respond? Name a compassionate
- 2. 2 way you’ve supported a friend recently. How can you do that for yourself? What is one topic you need to learn more about to help you live a more fulfilling life? Week4 Privilege is defined as a special right, advantage, or immunity granted or available only to a particular person or group of people (Webster Dictionary definition). In order for a group to be privileged, there needs to be groups who are oppressed. These groups face unjust treatment or control based on their identities. Discuss the areas in which you are privileged. What do those identities mean in society, your relationships and you personally? Have you had to think about these privileges before writing this? How? Week5 Currently in the United States, mental health is being discussed more than ever before. This has lead to more college students talking about these issues and developing help seeking behaviors. As a resident assistant, you may see mental health within you community. How do you define mental health? What does mental health mean to you? What does it mean to our community we are trying to create? Week6 A leadership philosophy describes who and what influences the way you lead. This could be previous mentors or supervisors, identities, life experiences, or relationships. Take a moment to reflect how these different areas of your life influence the way you interact with others and your leadership style. Based on this reflection, describe your leadership philosophy. How will you use those identities and relationships to lead others? Journal Rubric Excellent Organizationisclearandconsistent.Nogrammatical errors.Answers promptin-depth. 10 points Good Organizationislogical butnotevident.1or 2 grammatical errors.Parts of the promptare answeredin-depth. 8 points Average Ideasare scatteredormisplaced.Multiple grammatical errors.Prompts are answeredona surface level withfew in-depthareas. 6 points Poor Organizationishardto follow orunderstand.Consistentgrammatical errors.Promptansweredonlyonsurface level. 4 points Unsatisfactory No clearor logical organization.Grammar difficulttounderstandand almostillegible.Promptanswersappeartobe unoriginal ormissing. 2 points No Submission Journal entrywasnot submitted. 0 points Due Dates and Late Policies Journal entries will be emailed to the instructor(s) before the class session begins. Journal submitted after the beginning of class will receive an automatic zero. If an emergency situation arises, contact your instructor immediately to develop a solution. Inclusive Excellence (adapted from Vianden, 2015) We recognize that our individual differences can deepen our understanding of one another and the world around us, rather than divide us. In this class, people of all ethnicities, genders and gender identities or expressions, religions, ages, sexual orientations, disabilities, socioeconomic
- 3. 3 backgrounds, regions, and nationalities are strongly encouraged to share their rich array of perspectives and experiences. This includes students from dominant social groups. If you feel your differences may in some way isolate you in this course or if you have a need of any specific accommodations, please speak with the instructor(s) early about your concerns and what we can do together to help you become an active and engaged member of this course and community. Attendance and Participation Students are expected to attend and participate in every class session. Students will be given a point value based on their participation in discussion and activities during the class session. The overall participation grade will be determined by the cumulative points acquired over the six weeks. Attendance/Participation Rubric Engaged Always inclasscontributionsandengagementof others 10 points Participatory Ofteninclasscontributionandengagement 8 points Average Sometimes inclasscontributionsandengagement 6 points Poor Little tonow inclasscontributionsandengagement 4 points Nearly Absent No contributions,appearsdistractedordisinterested 2 points Absent Notin attendance forclass 0 points The following are examples of factors considered when evaluating participation: Verbally contributing interesting, insightful comments Building on the comments of others Raising thoughtful questions Listening to and engaging others’ comments Being on time for each class Staying on task (e.g., no side conversations or distracting self and others with laptop) Using inclusive and appropriate language Students who do not attend all six sessions will receive a failing grade in the course. Emergency situations or circumstances must be discussed with the instructor(s) as soon as possible. Grading In order to pass the class, students must receive a C or higher. Failure to do so will result in failing the class and losing your position as an RA. The grade for the course will be calculated based on the following assignments. Journals 60 points Attendance/Participation 60 points Total 120 points
- 4. 4 A= 108 points B= 96 points C= 84 points D= 72 points F=71 points or lower Classroom Etiquette The class space should be an open space for all identities, beliefs, opinions, and values. Multiple perspectives are encouraged for an enlightened conversation; however remember to be open to other’s viewpoints, cultures, and experiences. Respect one another mutually and provide each other opportunities to join the discussion and learn. Cell phones are to be kept on silent and out of sight. The use of cell phones during the class session will result in being asked to leave the class and be marked absent. If there is an emergency and you need to have your cell phone accessible, connect with your instructor before class. If your class session interferes with a meal time, you are allowed to bring food to the session. Please be respectful of others and do not bring any distracting, overly smelly or loud food. Clean up after yourself when you are finished. All drinks (except alcoholic beverages) are permitted during the session.
- 5. 5 Meeting and Assignment Schedule Date Topic Assignmentdue Week 1 [Insert date] FindingYour Why Discoveryourwhyforwhat youwant to do.Discusshow thisplaysintowho youare as an RA and as a mentor. Journal #1 Week 2 [Insert date] Welcome toPace: Res Life 101 Introductiontoresources,culture, and general overview of residence life at Pace University. Journal #2 Week 3 [Insert date] SelfAwarenessand Time Management Get to knowyourfellow classmates and yourself better.Alsolearneffective time managementskills. Journal #3 Week 4 [Insert date] Know Your Privilege Explorationof systematicoppression privilege,intersectingidentities,and howtheyall playa role inthe developmentof yourhousing community. Journal #4 Week 5 [Insert date] Mental Health Workshop Currenttrends,signs,androle playingactivities todevelopadeeper understandingof mental healthin highereducation. Journal #5 Week 6 [Insert date] Wrap Up Reflectionof the RA classand opportunitytoansweranyfinal questions. Journal #6