AMERICAN HIGHER EDUCATION

AHRD670 - FALL SEMESTER, 2007

CLASS OUTLINE

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

The purpose of this course is to investigate the form and substance of American Higher Education. To that end, four learning outcomes have been established. Students will identify additional outcomes. One additional learning outcome has been established to assist students in discovering more about their learning style.

1.    Students will be able to summarize six major periods of American Higher Education as identified by the Instructor. The summary of each period will include the primary purposes of higher education, key individuals, the descriptors and names of noteworthy institutions, the types of students educated, the curriculum, the roles of the faculty and the administration, characteristics of student life, and the role of government. 

2.    Students will be able to identify United States Constitutional Amendments and pieces of legislation that have had a significant impact on American Higher Education. For these amendments and legislation, students will be able to state the major provisions; what areas in colleges and universities are most affected, the pros and cons of at least one related major issue; and specific ways in which the risk of criminal or civil liability can be reduced.

3.    Students will be able to define and describe major areas of American Higher Education, provide a history or evolution of the areas, examples of how the areas manifest themselves in different types of institutions, what the areas' trends and issues are and what their future implications are.

4.    Students will be able to select, investigate and ultimately describe a program in American Higher Education that they believe is exemplary. Students will be able to summarize the desired outcomes of the program, how those outcomes are effectively pursued, the specific reasons why they believe the program is outstanding, what assessment/evaluation efforts are in place, what the results indicate and how the results are utilized to improve the program. 

5.    Through at least three opportunities for reflection during the semester and through discussions with the Instructor, it is intended that students will gain insight into their own learning and what their responsibilities are to the learning of their peers.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

CLASS PARTICIPATION

REFLECTION

Using the course web site, students will share with the Instructor their perceptions about their learning process in the course and their responsibilities for their learning and for the learning of their peers.   Students are asked to focus their responses on the process of learning not on the specific content.

HISTORY OF HIGHER EDUCATION PRESENTATIONS 

Students will deliver an oral presentation and write a paper on an historical  period of higher education.


LEGAL IMPACT PRESENTATIONS

Students will deliver an oral presentation and write a paper on a United States Constitutional Amendment, piece of legislation, or point of law that has had major impact on American Higher Education.

MAJOR PRESENTATIONS 

Students will deliver an oral presentation and write a paper on one of the major areas of American Higher Education.

BEST PRACTICES PAPER 

Students will write a paper describing an exemplary program in American Higher Education.

All work for the class should be original, done solely for the purpose of fulfilling requirements for this course and no other course.

READINGS

There are numerous books available in Wilson Hall 113 to assist students in their presentations.  In addition there are a variety of books available on a seven day loan period from the Reserve Area of Carrier Library.  A  listing by books by area on reserve.  A listing of books on reserve is available from Carrier Library at this website:  http://leo.jmu.edu/search/?searchtype=p&searcharg=menard&SORT=A&extended=0.

Student presenters will assign readings. There is no course textbook that needs to be purchased.


FINAL EXAMINATION

The purpose of the Final Examination is for the student to have the opportunity to synthesize and present in a cogent manner what s/he has learned in the class and for the Instructor to determine the extent to which the Learning Outcomes have been realized. On November 26, the Instructor will provide students with a copy of the Final Examination. Between November 26 and December 10, students may seek assistance in answering the questions from any source including the Instructor. On December 10, students are asked to come to class in MOODY 201 with at least one "blue book" (available in the JMU Bookstore) for each question. Laptop computers may be utilized.  Students will be given another copy of the Final Examination and will be asked to write their responses without the use of any resource. The content of the questions will be directly from the Learning Outcomes identified by the Instructor and students.


EVALUATION

The following point assignment will be used in determining a final grade