Course Meeting Time
Fall 2008
Tuesday 3:30-6:00pm

Course Description of HON292S
This course introduces you to the practice of Community Service Learning—including how to engage effectively with a community through its people and organizations and how to learn deeply from that experience. In this course you will encounter and learn from people who have different experiences, opinions, racial and ethnic and class backgrounds from yourself and you will get to know yourself better. You will develop skills for experiential learning and for taking charge of your own education—including observation, journaling, and learning circles—that you can use during your UMass education and beyond. This course fulfills the Interdisciplinary and U.S. Diversity Gen. Ed. requirements.

Section Description: Mentoring with Big Brothers Big Sisters
Do you have a little time to make a big difference in the life of a child?  Would you like to learn more about mentoring?  In this course you can do both!  You will study the history of mentoring and consider theories of youth development and best practices in mentoring. You will also critically examine your own assumptions and beliefs in order to better understand your interactions with your Little Brother or Sister and their family. You will develop your skills as a mentor and for working in a variety of social service settings. In addition, mentors meet with their Little Brothers and Sisters on campus on Thursdays for at least two semesters (both Fall 2008 and Spring 2009), 3:30-6:30 pm. Students who are already mentoring with Big Brothers Big Sisters may also enroll.

How to Sign Up
Enrollment (including application, interview, and background check) must be completed before the Fall semester begins.  Start the process now by downloading the application and contacting Shakira Alvarez-Ferrer at Big Brothers Big Sisters at (413) 253-2591 or salvarez@chd.org. 

Instructor Information
Shakira Alvarez-Ferrer,
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County
(413) 253-2591
salvarez@chd.org