The Handbook of Student Affairs Administration (2nd edition)
by Margaret J. Barr, Mary K. Desler & Associates
Jossey-Bass Publishers (2000)

Purpose of the Course:

This purpose of this course is to provide initial insight into the Student Affairs profession. It is an introductory survey course designed to give students a concise yet comprehensive understanding of what Student Affairs is all about. The course is both theory-based and applications-oriented.

Course Objectives:

Students who complete the course will develop:

(1) An understanding of the environment in which higher education operates, including how institutions are organized and managed on both a macrocosmic and microcosmic level.

(2) An understanding of the political nature of higher education and how it affects student affairs.

(3) An understanding of how student affairs contributes to the general mission of American higher education.

(4) An understanding of the chronological and conceptual events that contributed to the current status of the student affairs profession.

(5) An understanding of the student constituency in higher education and how such understanding inevitably affects delivery of services.

(6) An understanding of sound management and supervisory techniques as applicable to student affairs in higher education.

(7) An understanding of the issues which have affected the profession in the past, as well as those which are most influential today.

(8) An appreciation for both the complex nature of higher education and how that inevitably affects delivery of student affairs services.

(9) An appreciation of the stresses that inherently affect contemporary students and how those conditions affect student potential for success both in postsecondary education and life in general.

(10) An appreciation for how things could be and a desire to contribute positively in shaping the future through the profession.

(1) Paper. Each student is required to write a paper on a Student Affairs topic which has been pre-approved by the instructor. The paper should provide sufficient background information on the selected topic, but it should also be primarily proactive in its focus; i.e., it should delineate solutions instead of merely defining problems. The minimum acceptable length of the paper is 10 typed pages and it should contain at least 10 references from sources dated 1991 or later. A one page summary of the paper (with the reference section attached) is to be distributed to each class member on the due date.

(2) Summary Presentation. Each student is required to give a brief summary to the class on the topic selected for their paper. The summary should cover the primary points made in the paper and last approximately 20 minutes.

(3) Interview/Report. Each student is required to interview a Student Affairs (or Student Affairs-related) professional as assigned by the instructor. An outline for this Interview will be provided. Each student will then prepare a brief (4-6 page) report documenting the experience and his/her reaction to the information obtained. Each student will also be expected to give a short summary report to the class regarding the interview.

(4) Attendance/Participation. Each student is expected to attend all class meetings and be prepared to contribute meaningfully to a discussion of the particular topic under consideration. As such, each student is expected to read the assignments prior to the class period in which they will be discussed. At some point during the semester, each student may be required to lead a discussion over material from the textbook as assigned by the instructor.

(5) Final Exam. At the conclusion of the class, students will complete a final exam which will give them an opportunity to demonstrate what has been learned throughout the semester. The final exam will be essay and cover the full content of the course. We will review prior to administration of the final; everyone who participates in the class throughout the semester should have no difficulty with the final.

Paper ......................... 25%
Presentation ............... 15%
Interview/Report ........ 15%
Final Exam ................. 25%
Participation ............... 20%