GSE H-205 College Student Development: New Insights & Practical Applications (Fall 2023)
A working knowledge of student development theory is a critical tool for professionals in higher education. Understanding theories of College Student Development helps us to create intentional environments that support student growth and effectively respond to campus crises. However, given the changing terrain of higher education, it is also important for us to critically examine classic developmental models and to expand on traditional frameworks in order to more fully account for the lived experiences of students and the range of educational contexts they encounter today. This class will ask important questions about how to modernize and adapt theory to address the needs of our students. We will consider uses and limitations of theory-based programming as we consider best practices for today's college context. We will also use case studies to test theory in light of complex challenges faced at a wide range of institutions. Students will leave this class with a solid foundation of theory, a nuanced understanding of today's college students, and a toolkit of research-based approaches to offer developmentally-grounded supports that help students thrive.
GSE A-724 Reading Group: Special Topics in Higher Education - Campus Life (January 2023)
(New Course) In this reading group, we will explore the experiences of residential college students and grapple with some of the unique puzzles of campus life. Drawing from in-depth studies of college students’ experiences, we will consider what the research tells us about how students find a sense of belonging, explore career pathways, and experience institutional culture on a residential campus. In the process, we will engage with key issues in the field of higher education, including questions of equity and access and student mental health. An understanding of these topics offers an important foundation for anyone who wants to develop programs and policies that genuinely support students thriving on campus. Class will meet January 3, 6, 9, and 13. Limited enrollment. Permission of the instructor required.
GSE H205B Student Affairs in Higher Education: Theory-Driven Practices to Help Students Thrive (Spring 2024)
Student affairs educators are central to individual and institutional success in higher education. In this course, students will gain an understanding of the field of student affairs, develop a toolkit of professional competencies, and consider best practices as defined by ACPA & NASPA. Using the developmental toolkit from College Student Development, we will focus on translating theory to practice for a cross-section of functional areas that scaffold student success across a range of institutions. We will also examine the role of student affairs practitioners in creating an authentic climate of diversity, equity, inclusion. Prerequisite: GSE H205 (College Student Development: New Insights & Practical Applications) or permission of the instructor.
GSE A-740A Ethnographic Methods for Higher Education Research (Spring II 2024)
In this module, we will learn the history, epistemology, and methodology of ethnographic research in the field of higher education. We will balance our time between a critical reading of ethnographies on the college experience and engaging in a qualitative research practicum at a nearby campus. Our hands-on fieldwork will allow us to capture the voices of current college students as we consider the complex social and cultural systems of the institution that inform their experiences. In the process, we will explore different ethnographic traditions and modes of data collection as we conduct paired observations, workshop fieldnotes, and practice qualitative interviewing. Together, we will also navigate the logistical puzzles of field research while we grapple with broader questions about power, positionality, and representation. This course will equip students with the skills they need to design studies that are thoughtful, rigorous, and ethical. Limited enrollment. Permission of instructor required.
GSE A-723 Higher Education Research Practicum: Studying the Experience of First-Year College Students (May Term 2023)
(New Course) In this research practicum, students will take part in an ongoing longitudinal research study on the role of college in young adult development. During this immersive experience, we will learn about the fifty-year history of the Transition to Adulthood study and engage with findings from both The End of Adolescence: The Lost Art of Delaying Adulthood (Hill & Redding, 2021) and new interviews conducted during Summer 2022. Together, we will launch data collection for the next phase of the project and interview current undergraduates about their experiences during the first year of college. This practicum offers students the opportunity to gain first-hand experience in higher education research and to develop both a better understanding of developmental theory and practical research skills. Limited enrollment. Permission of the instructor required.