Liberal Studies Capstone Descriptions (Spring, 2007)

In order to enroll in these Capstones, email the instructor/coordinator to obtain permission.

LS 499: Family Literacy Project (Thompson)  charlotte.wakenhut@csuci.edu
“Giving back to the community” might be another name for the Family Literacy Project because CSUCI students have the opportunity to work with 3rd grade students who are reading below grade level and with their families at Hathaway School in the Hueneme Elementary School District.  Many of the children are second language learners needing an extra boost to help them become more proficient in English.  The families of these children also need guidance and ideas they can use at home to help their children achieve in school.  CSUCI students provide that needed help.  This Capstone class is a Service Learning experience designed to let you and your CSUCI teammate help both parents and children improve their academic reading skills. During the semester you will teach the 3rd grade students, work with their families, keep a reflective journal, and prepare a poster with your partner to present to the university community. Class meets each Wednesday in the elementary school classroom between 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.

LS 499: Information Literacy in Schools (Wallace) amy.wallace@csuci.edu
Students in this project will be presented with information literacy definitions, standards, and efforts. Students will be paired with local school librarians and teachers interested in incorporating information literacy activities into library sessions and classroom instruction. Students will be asked to research what it means to be information literate, design activities to produce information literate students, and develop tools to evaluate the impact of these activities. Students will also be asked to make connections between information literacy and lifelong learning, critical thinking, decision making, doing research, and everyday life. The course requires that students create a portfolio (concept maps, essays, an annotated research bibliography, lesson plans, and reflections) and make an oral presentation.

LS 499: Earth Day Celebration Capstone (Adams) bill.adams@csuci.edu
The annual Earth Day Celebration has been a well-attended campus event since 2003. Students learn skills in organizing and coordinating an event of this scope. Students from any discipline may enroll. Using their knowledge from their college courses, they identify the environmental and social issues affecting Ventura County specifically and the state and nation generally, then contact individuals and groups who can represent a diverse set of opinions. This year we hope to bring in speakers and have teach-ins.

LS 499: Foundational Mathematics (Leonard) ivona.grze@csuci.edu
This course is designed for students intending to teach K-8 mathematics. The class includes mathematics classroom observations, cooperating with teachers and mathematics faculty, curriculum and standards discussions, reflection journals, and final presentation at a student seminar.

LS 499: Elementary Education Practicum in Individual Differences (Denney) maria.denney@csuci.edu
This course is designed to provide students with practical experience working with educationally “at risk” children in a school setting as a means for better understanding of contemporary education policy issues. University classroom sessions, Internet delivered activities, dialogue, and assignments will support experiences in an elementary school setting. The course aims to help students develop a citizen/consumer’s understanding of classroom processes, teaching, and learning for children at educational risk. Students will learn the basic principles of curriculum adaptation and behavior management in response to children’s individual differences. The course will provide students with opportunities to observe, assist, tutor, and discuss elementary grade children’s performance on a variety of learning activities. Students who take this course will be credited with 42 hours of pre-professional experience.

LS 499: Leadership (Tejada)   charlotte.wakenhut@csuci.edu
The leadership capstone is designed for students who are interested in learning and applying leadership styles and skills. Students will research leadership models and self-realize what type of leader they are and establish their philosophy on leadership.