Seminar in Peer Helping (ARTSC 0910)
The purpose of this course is to provide undergraduates with the knowledge and skills necessary for peer leading. Students who successfully complete it will be eligible to become Peer Leaders through the Office of Experiential Learning. Peer Leaders are selected by faculty to support larger and more difficult classes through facilitation of study sessions.
ARTSC 0910 will teach potential peer leaders both learning skills and process skills. Study strategies will encompass note taking, mnemonic devices, reading textbooks, as well as test-taking strategies. Process skills will deal with the peer leader's role, group dynamics, questioning techniques, communication, time management, referral resources and leadership.
Commitment to the concept of peer leading is necessary and should be exhibited through the student's attendance and participation in class as well as observations. Students become aware of their metacognitive processes and differences that they may encounter within diverse study groups. The peer leader's ability to identify and communicate his/her own metacognitive processes to other students is critical to the role of a peer leader.
ARTSC 0910 consists of a two-hour weekly seminar (usually Fridays, 3-5 p.m. for eight sessions) as well as observations of current peer leaders. Grades are given on an S/NC basis only. Students will be evaluated on their ability to facilitate collaborative learning activities, successfully manage group dynamics as well as their ability to model and disseminate study strategies appropriate to the course they are supporting. Assignments and a practicum are part of this course, as welll as an interview with the course instructor to determine whether the student possesses the basic qualifications. Students must complete an application in person and be interviewed by the instructor BEFORE REGISTRATION, after which they are given a "Permission to Enter a Closed or Restricted Class" form.
