This class is a three unit academic internship/service learning experience and an upper division GE class. Over the fall semester students will have hands-on experience in a Jewish Community Agency while they are performing a service for others. I have 3 main objectives this semester: (1) increase student awareness of the Los Angeles Jewish Community and the diverse population that its agencies serve; (2) offer career development; and (3) increase student involvement and commitment to community service. Students are expected to spend 6-8 hours a week for 15 weeks in the field (100 hours total). I will arrange students' placements in an agency with student's approval. Each student must keep a detailed weekly journal of their fieldwork experience. Writing in the journal will help reflection on the experience. Students will share their experiences with the class. Students are responsible for submitting weekly time sheet signed by their field supervisor.

Bi-monthly class meetings every other Wednesday begin on Sept. 9 from 3:00 to 5:00 PM in the Faculty Office Building conference room 108. Students will be expected to complete class readings by assigned dates. The readings listed below may be supplemented with additional readings over the course of the semester.

Each student is expected to write an evaluation research paper at the conclusion of their service learning work experience. This will include a discussion of who is served by this agency and how the agency serves the community, how policies are made, where funding is obtained, as well as an evaluation of how well the mission/goals of the agency are being met. The detailed requirements for this paper will be discussed in class. Each student will also be expected to give an oral presentation of the paper to the class.

Student's grades will be determined by:
Class attendance and participation
Field supervisor's evaluations at mid-semester and conclusion
Weekly journals
Student class presentation
Evaluation research paper

Students must complete all of their fieldwork hours, submit all journal entries and the evaluation research paper in order to pass the class. Grading will be +/-.

Jewish Studies Reader available at Northridge Copy Center, 9130B Reseda Blvd.


TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

Sept. 8 The American Jewish Community

READINGS: Service Learning Contract; Guidelines for Service Learners; Journal Writing Guidelines; "Building Community" by John Gardner; "United States of America", Jewish Communities-of the World ; "Jewish Communal Service Today", Journal of Communal Service, Vol. 71, No. 1, Fall 1994.

Sept. 22 The Jewish Federation and the San Fernando Valley Jewish Community

SPEAKER: Campaign Director of Jewish Federation READINGS: "Los Angeles 1970 to the Present" by Max Vorspan, Western States Jewish History, Vol. XXVI, No. 2, Jan. 1994; "More Jewish Families Drawn To West Valley" by Sharline Chiang, Daily News, July 23, 1998; "Debate Rises Over Jewish Census" Los Angeles Times, July 25, 1998; the Jewish Federation promotion materials.

Oct. 6 Evaluation Research

READINGS: "Evaluation Research" chapter from The Practice of Social Research by Earl Babbie.

Oct. 20 Career Planning

SPEAKER: Career Counselor Bring in your resume.

Nov. 3 Immigrant and Refugee Resettlement

SPEAKER: Director of Jewish Free Loan READINGS: "Outline of Services … for Refugees Resettled Through the JewishCommunity"

Nov. 10 Jewish Survival in the U.S.

SPEAKERS: Rabbis from three movements READINGS: "Jewish Dollars Drying Up" by Gerald Bubis, Moment December 1992; "A Time Of Need and A Vision Of Hope" by Lucy Steinitz and Arthur Weidman, Journal of Jewish Communal Service, Fall 1993.

Dec. 1 Student presentations

Submit thank you letters to agency supervisors and Grant Foundation Board.

Dec. 15 Student Presentations
Final Paper Due