Course Description
An examination of the causes and consequences of hunger and homelessness in the United States with special emphasis on the City of Lowell. The causes of poverty and alternative approaches to solving social problems will be explored. Students will be involved in a direct service capacity with community agencies serving the hungry and homeless. This course is structured to provide an understanding social problems as well as a forum for discussion and reflection on service.

Semester Hours: 3 credits Contact Hours: Monday, 2:00-3:45 p.m.
Students complete a minimum of 25 hours in community placements.

Prerequisites
Introduction to Sociology, Introduction to Psychology, or permission of instructors.

Required Texts Rachel and Her Children: Homeless Families in America. Jonathan Kozol. Fawcett Columbine: New York, 1988.
?Out of Place: Homelessness in America. Richard Sweeney. Harper Collins College Publishers: New York, 1993.
Living Hungry in America. Dr. I. Larry Brown and H.F. Pizer. Mentor: New York, 1987.
Night. Elie Wiesel. Bantam Books: New York, 1960.
journal, magazine and newspaper articles will be distributed throughout the semester.

nstructional Objectives
This course has two broad goals,
1. To explore the social and psychological underpinnings of homelessness and hunger in the United States through study, experience, and reflection.
2. To explore and deepen the helping experience as a medium of self knowledge and ethical conduct.

Date/ Topic
12/6 Social policies continued Read Out of Place. . ., pages 93-121.
Minimum of 25 hours of service completed. Hand-in site evaluation and journal at class.

12/13 Ending the course, beginning a lifetime Final exam questions distributed to class.

12/20-2 Final Exam. Date to be announced.

Basis for grading student performance
1. Participation in seminar
The weekly seminar is a critical component of a service learning course. The seminar period will develop the theoretical framework within which we can understand and discuss the service experiences. It is essential that you not only attend the seminar but come prepared having read and considered the assignments. We will expect all participants to be engaged in the discussion of this course.

2. Journal
Reflection is an essential part of learning from direct experience. An effective journal is an ongoing conversation with oneself about the new knowledge, impressions, and feelings that will occur as this course develops. We will be asking you from time to time to respond to specific questions in your journal.

2. Service placement
The successful completion of this course requires a minimum of 25 hours in an instructor approved community activity. You will need to keep a log of your time: a record of the days and hours you spend engaged in your service. Your designated supervisor will be asked to validate your time log. Because you will receive course credit for the learning that takes place during your service and not the service itself, we do not attach a percentage of your grade to the service hours. You will complete a site evaluation form. Your site supervisor will complete a feedback form for us.

4. Special projects
Each student will select one of several project options to further explore issues of hunger and homelessness.

a. Read one additional book and compose a detailed summary of their contents.
b. Read five articles and compose a detailed summary of their contents.
c. Interview five people on their understanding and experience with hunger/homelessness and prepare a report of their answers.
d. Watch three films on the subject of poverty, hunger, or homelessness and prepare reviews of their contents.

Additional details on the special projects will be handed out in class. Project reports are due in class on November 22. Part of the successful completion of the project will consist of sharing your information with your classmates.

5. Final Exam
Each student will demonstrate mastery of the course material in a
written examination to be held during the final exam period of December 20-23. The final exam questions will be distributed to the class on December 13 to allow you sufficient time to think through and outline your responses prior to the exam date.

Grading summary Total 100 points.
1. Participation in seminar (10 points)
2. journal entries (30 points)
3. Service log, site evaluation, supervisor evaluation (10 points)
4. Special projects (20 points)
5. Final exam (30 points)