LEAD 141 Student Development and

Leadership
Time:
Location:
Instructor:

Purpose of Course:
The Department of Residential Living has developed a Student Development and Leadership
class for first semester Resident Assistants. As part of the Student Affairs mission, this course is
designed to create educated, ethically and morally responsible, fully functioning leaders who can
contribute to the residence halls, to the local community, and to the global society.
Course Textbook : Foubert, John D., Lessons Learned : How to avoid the Biggest Mistakes
Made By College Residents Assistant. 2nd Edition

RA Class Learning Outcomes, Readings, Assignments

Week Class Topic Assignment Due
August 17-21 Introductions
Ice Breaker
Syllabus Review
Class expectations
August 24-28 Building Community Reading Assignment: Parts 1 & 2
Learning Outcomes: and Building an (Pages 7 36 & 37-60)
Participants will learn the Inclusive
characteristics of a positive and Community
healthy community.
Participants will learn strategies
to build and maintain an all-
inclusive community.
We will talk about community
standards and making a
community plan for your hall.
Sept 7-11 Things that Reading Assignment: Part 6 (Pages
Learning Outcomes: compromise your 153 190)
Participants will learn common role
challenges facing their credibility
in their RA role.
Participants will learn basic
ethical decision making
strategies in their RA role.

Sept 14-18 Safety and Security; Reading Assignment: Parts 4 & 7

Learning Outcomes: Policy Enforcement (Pages 95 124 & 191 208)
Participants will understand the
basics of emergency/crisis
response and procedures.

Sept 21-25 Helping Students Reading Assignment: Part 5 (Pages

Learning Outcomes: with Psychological 125 152)
Participants will develop Difficulties
 listening/helping skills and learn
to utilize observation.
Participants will learn how to
identify signs that someone is in
distress.

Sept 28-Oct 2 Resident Support Reading Assignment: Part 3 (Pages

Learning Outcomes: 61 94)
Participants will learn about
campus resources for resident
support and understand referral
processes.
Participants will be able to
understand varying student
needs and identify appropriate
campus resources.

Oct 5-9 The Job that we do In Class Activity:

Learning Outcomes: Discussion on things youve
Participant will be able to encountered in your job as an RA so
articulate how they make a far and how you have had to
difference in their role. enforce university and
departmental policies.
Participants will understand the
impact of their position.
Participants will gain an
understanding of university
policies.
Participants will learn to enforce
policies while being able to
articulate the universitys
process and provide rationale
behind policies.
October 19-23 What did we learn In Class Activity:
Learning Outcomes: Discuss what we learned in class
The impact of your job as an RA
Participants will be able to How you make a difference
synthesize their classroom
experiences to be able to apply
it to real life situations they face
in their position.

Final Exam See Exam Schedule. Reflection Paper Due!

TBA.

Class Assignments and Dates are Subject to Change

Assignments
Class Participation (50 points)
o This class is based on group interaction and sharing. Students are expected to read the
assigned text prior to the beginning of class. They are also expected to participate
actively in the discussions in class.
o If you do not attend class, you will not receive points for class participation (regardless
of it being excused or not). If you do not participate in class, you will not receive points
 for class participation.
o You may receive up to 6 pts per class. These points are given at the discretion of the
instructor(s).

Readings (25 points)

o You are expected to read the assigned readings and come prepared to class ready to
discuss what you have read.

Final Exam Reflection (25 points)

o Write a 3 page reflection on something you learned this semester as a RA and how it
impacted you.

Late Assignments will have a full grade deduction for every day an assignment is late. A
graded assignment of A will become a B and so forth. Please hand in your assignments in a
timely manner. Failure to do so can easily bring down your grade. If you ask for an extension, it
will be determined on a case by case basis. Extensions must be asked for prior to the day the
assignment is due.

Assignment / Grade Percentage Grading Scale:

Class Participation 50 points A 90 to 100 points
Readings 25 points B 80 to 89 points

Final Exam 25 points C 70 to 79 points

Total 100points D 65 to 69 points

F 64 points or Below

Attendance:
You are allowed to miss up to one class, provided you have a reasonable excuse. Reasonable
excuses include:
Clear evidence that you are too ill or otherwise indisposed to benefit from being in class
and will be a risk or distraction to others; Note: The Health Center does not provide
excuses for illness.
Documented evidence of your required appearance in a court of law; personal or family
emergency requiring your presence away from campus; participation in an approved
university activity
Other circumstances as approved, preferably prior to the absence.
You must request in writing that each absence be excused before the next regular class
period. Your written excuse must be presented as soon as possible after the absence
occurs. It is up to the instructors to grant excuses, so make sure you communicate any
absences with them.

Attendance affects your final grade as follows, regardless of your performance on

course assignments:
If you have more than one excused absences you cannot earn a final grade higher than a
C
If more than three excused absences, your instructors may assign a grade of F
If you have ANY absences that are not excused, you can receive a grade of F
Keep in mind that if you miss class, you are responsible for the material addressed during that
class session and for submitting assignments due during that session.

As a Resident Assistant it is expected that you attain a minimum of a C in this class.

Failure to do this will result in termination.

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities:

Western Carolina University is committed to providing equal educational opportunities for students with
documented disabilities. Students who require disability services or reasonable accommodations must
identify themselves as having a disability and provide current diagnostic documentation to Disability
Services. All information is confidential. Please contact Lance Alexis for more information. Phone: (828)
227-7127.