Immersion Service Learning - Interdisciplinary Studies 305 (IDS 305)

Aimed at 3rd and 4th year students
Offered:  Second Term (January 2013)
Course Coordinator:  Donna MacDonald
Email: dmacdona@stfx.ca

Students planning to travel with an Immersion Service Learning group have an excellent opportunity to expand their learning by enrolling in IDS 305 Immersion Service Learning (3-credit course offered in the winter term.) This course is only open to students who have been accepted as participants with an Immersion Service Learning experience.  By the end of November, students must notify the instructor of their intention to register in the course.

In IDS 305, students complete a research project on a topic related to their Immersion Service Learning experience. The research includes a literature review and personal observation and reflection, and may also involve an empirical study or interview data. Every project combines academic research on campus with focused analysis and reflection of student experiences during the immersion experience.

Students begin by choosing a topic and arranging for support from a faculty advisor. They then develop a proposal describing their research question or hypothesis, the anticipated structure of their paper (an outline), and the research and observation/reflection activities they will undertake. Students can request instructor and faculty advisor feedback on the strengths and weaknesses of their plan. Once a solid plan is established, students conduct their research with the guidance of the course instructor and the faculty advisor. Two peer response sessions, and a class presentation are part of the course requirements.

Course Evaluation:

60% of the final grade is assigned by the course instructor, based on the strength of the research proposal (20%), and the merit of the oral presentation (10%) and the final paper (30%).

40% of the final grade is assigned by the faculty advisor, based on the student’s commitment to the project and on the quality of the final research paper.

For more information about IDS 305, please refer to the 2012-2013 StFX Academic Calendar (section 9.25 Interdisciplinary Studies on page 83).

If you have any questions about IDS 305, please contact smackay@stfx.ca.