GNED 1001

Department of General Education Campus Experience and Engagement

Course Syllabus 2024

Instructors

Faculty Instructor Career Services Facilitator

Cassie Kellow, BA Communications Max Perron, BA Communications Studies

Email: ckell908@mtroyal.ca Email: mperr366@mtroyal.ca

Meetings: by appointment only Regular meeting hours: Wed 1:30-2:30pm.

Course Description

This optional foundation tier 1, three-credit campus experience and engagement is designed to engage students into the
campus cultural and encourage a greater sense of community on campus. Students are required to join and document their
experiences within a team, club, committee or other approved campus community.

Upon completion students will receive a grade from both club, team or committee leaders based on participation and
attendance and a second grade based on the 4 assignments completed throughout the semester and averaged to deliberate a
pass fail grade.

Course Learning Outcomes

Students will:

• Expand student and campus connections outside their majors

• Develop self, through reflection, in order to have the best fit in future endeavors and prepare for lifelong learning
• Build relationships and relationship skills to support career goals and develop a professional network
• Participate along side a community within Mount Royal University to better strengthen collective ties and individual
confidence

Course Materials

All material will be provided on D2L

Mark Allocation

A final grade of Pass will be awarded to students who receive a numerical grade of 65% or higher and all assignments must be
completed to a passing standard (>65%) to pass the course.

Mark Allocation

Holiday and Closures Critical Dates

Thanksgiving Day: Oct. 12 Add/Drop Deadline: Sept. 14

Reading Break: Oct. 12-16 Withdrawal Deadline (With W grade): Nov. 20
Remembrance Day: Nov. 11 Last Day of Fall Semester Classes: Dec. 9
Last Day of Fall Semester: Dec. 22

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Assignments

Term Project (Community Service Learning)

Students will be required to join a campus group and will be taking on a challenge for how the club can improve their outreach,
retention of members, community building or any other approved topic related to the chosen club. The student will be
responsible for participating in club activities in order to collect current information on the problem, analyze their data and
with secondary research to provide the community partner (the club) with a recommendation that will be presented in the last
week of classes. The term project consists of four parts:
The literature review (25%)
This phase of the term project will consist of students exploring how clubs, groups, and community building on campus
is important for fostering a campus culture, building a sense of belonging for students, and aiding in improving mental
health and reducing stress. From their research, students will apply the methods they learned to their recommendations
which they will develop as they interact with their clubs throughout the semester.

The recommendation and findings (15%)

The recommendations the student present will stem from their experiences within the club and be supported by the
information collected in their literature review. The recommendations the student creates must cover the what/who/how
and be specific, realistic, and relevant. Along with a recommendation, the student will also be responsible to provide other
key findings and be able to link specific resources to support their recommendation.

The final presentation (10%)

The final presentation will be presented during the last week of class where the professor, club leader, and any other club
member can attend. Students will be responsible to present their recommendations and findings in person in whatever
method they deem appropriate i.e. PowerPoint, a prototype of the recommendation, a poster, etc. The method must be
approved by the professor.

Weekly reflections (10%)

This a weekly exercise that students will submit to their assigned professor at the end of every week. Students will reflect on
their experiences throughout the club’s meetings/get-togethers. This assignment will help students begin to think critically
about areas of improvement the club can make and how it may impact the club’s effectiveness. Students will also be able to
apply skill-building activities they learn in class and demonstrate their understanding of the content in their respective clubs.
The weekly reflections will allow the students to keep track of their experiences and journey of being contributing member of
Mount Royals community and proactively taking part and improving campus culture.

Club Reflection (15%)

The goal for the first phase of the class is to determine the personal interests of the student and to ensure they select a club
that they are passionate about or are excited to be a part of. During the first couple weeks of class, the student will explore
the diverse pre-approved club’s catalogue and link them to their interests as well as the skills they aim to build throughout the
semester. Once they select clubs they are interested in, they will reach out to the club coordinator to learn more about the
club’s goals, ambitions, and objectives and the student will create a rationale about why the club they chose suits their interests
and how it can improve their skills.

Participation (25%)
Participation is a required component of the class and students will be required to attend 80% of their group’s meetings/
get-togethers. This course has a community service learning component which means participation in group activities and
discussions is required. Attendance will be marked in coordination with the weekly reflections as students will need to be
present to write their reflections. Students who do not meet the required participation attendance may not be able to receive
credit for the class depending on the professor’s discretion.

Course Schedule
Date Content Schedule Assignment Due Dates

Week 1 Course Introduction and Expectations

Sept 8 • Reviewing learning objectives
Lecture on decision-making and problem-solving strategies

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Week 2 Sept 16 Sept 18 - Weekly Reflection 1
Sept 15 Reviewing approved clubs catalogue
• Preparing for first reflection
• Developing interests and goals
• Consider opportunities for personal growth

Sept 18
Lecture on organization, planning, and first impressions
In-class time to write Reflection 1
• Professor feedback

Week 3 Sept 23 Sept 26 - Club Reflection

Sept 22 Lecture on creating attainable goals
Preparing for clubs expo
• Small group discussions on goals and interests

Sept 25
Visit Clubs Expo

Week 4 Sept 30 Sept 30 - Choose and

Sept 29 Lecture on building and maintaining relationships contact a club to join.
In-class writing email drafts or filling out forms to join chosen clubs
Oct 1 - Finalize enrollment in
Oct 1 a club.
Lecture on time management and teamwork
Small group discussions on chosen clubs
• Hesitations, things you’re looking forward to, initial experiences

Week 5 Oct 7 Oct 10 - Weekly Reflection 2

Oct 6 Lecture on accountability
Class meeting time
• Professor feedback on reflections
• Check-in on progress

Oct 9
Lecture on team-building and leadership strategies
In-class time to write reflection 2
• Professor feedback

Participating in clubs

Week 6 Reading Week

Oct 13

Week 7 Oct 21 Oct 24 - Weekly Reflection:

Oct 20 Literature Review introduction & expectations Initial experiences, areas for
• Begin research self-improvement, revisiting
Small group discussions initial goals.
• Participation levels, events, individual progress/improvement, goals
Professor feedback on reflections
Check-in on progress

Participating in clubs

Week 8 Oct 28 Oct 30 - Weekly Reflection 3

Oct 27 Findings introduction & expectations
Small group discussions
• Individual progress/improvement, initial recommendations for club
improvement
Participating in clubs

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Week 9 Nov 4 Nov 7 - Literature Review
Nov 3 Small group discussions due.
• Individual progress/improvement, initial recommendations for club
improvement
In-class time for findings development
• Professor feedback
Check-in on progress

Participating in clubs

Week 10 Nov 11 Nov 14 - Findings due

Nov 10 Presentation introduction & expectations
Small group discussions
• Reviewing club events, personal participation, areas for improvement
In-class time for feedback presentation development
• Professor feedback

Participating in clubs

Week 11 Nov 18 Nov 20 - Weekly Reflection 4

Nov 17 In-class time for feedback presentation development
• Professor feedback

Participating in clubs

Week 12 Nov 24 Nov 26 - Weekly Reflection 5

Nov 24 In-class time for feedback presentation development
• Professor feedback
In-class time to begin work on reflection 3

Participating in clubs

Week 13 Dec 2 Dec 2 & 4 - Feedback

Dec 1 Presentations Presentation due.

Dec 4
Presentations

Note: Deadlines are subject to change with advance notice from the instructor; extensions may be granted if requested > 48 hrs
before deadline.

MRU Club Catalogue

The list of clubs below have been chosen to represent the fundamental clubs on campus. Clubs beyond this list must be
approved by section specific instructors to maintain certain criteria; regular meetings, engagement, etc.

Furthermore if clubs would be interested in joining the list of approved clubs, approval from instructors must be made
regarding the criteria and standards reflected in course syllabus.

MRU Clubs Catalogue (Annotated)

A Novel Bunch - Talia Aleksiuk

a casual book club, meeting weekly to discuss our selected book section by section.

AIESEC - Andrea Barlaan

a global youth-led organization striving to engage and develop every young person to achieve peace and fulfillment of
humankind’s potential.

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Afro-Caro Club - Alex Yoseph
raises awareness regarding black history and promoting the notion of community and culture

Art Club - Terri Ho

based around creating visual art (drawing, painting, sculpture, etc).

Anthropology Affiliation - Maria Paula Ante Claus

a social-academic club, focused on peer support and enriching experiences in the diverse subject of anthropology.

Catholic Chritian Outreach (CCO) - Geneva Guinsatao

a university student movement giving students a chance to explore the Catholic faith.

Club N3rd - Maria Mikova

a place to play games, hang out with like-minded people, and make friends.

Cougars Unsolved - Matt Mickelson

provide a supportive and positive community to discuss and embrace mysteries which may range from cold cases, conspiracy
theories, the supernatural and everything else in between.

Computing Alliance of Mount Royal University - David Olah

to serve students interested in computing.

Community Leaders Club - Liv Taylor

to create an encouraging, engaging and supportive community that allows both members and executives opportunities to
become leaders in their community.

EDI Science Students’ Affiliation (ESSA) - Majd Daqqa

build a community of students that fosters EDI literacy, peer support, and high EDI engagement within Science.

Future Graduates Association - Liv Taylor

to attract like-minded individuals who hope to pursue graduate programs specific to a career in health, however, anyone in
support of the club’s mission is welcome to join.

French Club - Talis Aurini

is an inclusive social club that provides opportunities to celebrate, practice, and learn about French language and cultures.

Hillel - Noa Paul

serves as a central Jewish community on the Mount Royal campus, and provides services and events to create an engaging and
healthy environment for Jewish student life.

International Student Club - Evangeline Carriere

to form a connection with a group with likewise interest and passion about international issues, cultures, and worldviews.

Jack.org MRU - Jasleen Bhangu

a group of young individuals who work to create a safe space where people can come to discuss mental health, raise awareness
and seek guidance from those experiencing similar issues.

JAMRU Jam Club - Ben Laughland

a music club and that’s focused on creating opportunities for students to connect with other students who play instruments.

Mount Royal Firearms Club - Jeremy James Mercer

The mission of the MRFC is to promote the safe and responsible use of firearms for students

MRU Best Buddies - Shayne MacNeil

to enable students to work alongside individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in pursuit of a more inclusive
community built upon friendship and positivity.

MRU Cubs Dance Team - Alexis Helberg

offers affordable dance classes in a welcoming atmosphere where anyone of all genders, abilities, and sizes are welcome to
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attend.

MRU Film and English Society (FESS) - Jana Tzanakos

to unite and buttress a community of individuals with interests in either, or both, Film and English.

MRU Flicks - Mykhailo Kozhukhar

to facilitate student engagement and healthy discussion of classic and contemporary films, and to provide an opportunity to
bond over a shared passion.

MRU Hiking Club - Catharina Venter

offers opportunities for students to learn and grow outdoors as well to try new activities.

MRU Justice Advocates - Molly Clare

to provide Mount Royal University students with opportunities to further their education and become involved in change
through volunteering, fundraising, field experience and raising awareness.

MRU Ski & Snowboard Club - Taylor Harvey

to create a sense of community and build friendships through skiing and snowboarding.

MRU Sweet Peeps - Jadyn Jenny Cuu

creates a space for bakers and food lovers to come together to share recipes, discuss food, and bake

Muslim Student Affiliation - Noor Al-Sabeg

to contribute to a positive campus community by representing Muslim students on campus, to cater to their social, academic,
and spiritual needs of Muslim students, to provide an accurate image of Islam, and to provide developmental services for those
that are in the pursuit of knowledge and application on the religion of Islam.

Pre-Dental Club - Ibrahim Tahero

to pursue a career in dentistry, aims to help streamline the process with mentorship programs involving our senior members,
collaboration with sponsors for dental shadowing experiences, and various volunteer opportunities.

Power to Change - Zach Wilcox

is a Christian community on campus which provides a place for students from all backgrounds and perspectives to explore and
talk about the deeper questions in life while enjoying each other’s company.

Pakistani Students Affiliation - Izzah Nazir Ahmad

welcomes individuals of all nationalities to join our club and/ or participate in events and activities throughout the year and
celebrate the Pakistani culture.

Q-mmunity Pride Club - Hayl Balla

to bring MRU students within the LGBTQIA2S+ community together as a means of mutual support for one another.

Students for Canada - Sohaib Abbas

a national networking and career development program for students and young professionals seeking to advocate for and
participate in Canada’s vital natural resource sectors.

The Running Club - Lydia Kok

encourages health and motivation through FREE, non-competitive group runs.

Women In Media - Alexandra Padilla Guajardo

to create a diverse and safe environment to foster creativity and growth in media based careers

Women in Science and Technology - Liza Zamani

leveraging social networks and building a community to empower self-identifying women in STEM through meaningful
opportunities and discussion.

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Grading System
Percent- Alpha 4.0 Point Description
ages Grade Scale
95-100 A+ 4.0 Excellent - Superior performance, showing a comprehensive understanding of
85-94 A 4.0 subject matter.
80-84 A- 3.7
77-79 B+ 3.3 Good - Clearly above average performance with knowledge of subject matter
73-76 B 3.0 generally complete.
70-72 B- 2.7
67-69 C+ 2.3 Satisfactory - Basic understanding of subject matter.
63-66 C 2.0
60-62 C- 1.7
55-59 D+ 1.3 Marginal performance - Generally insufficient preparation for subsequent
50-54 D 1.0 courses.
0-49 F 0.0 Fail - Assigned to students
a) who do not meet the academic requirements of the course, or
b) who cease to continue in the course, but do not withdraw as per MRU
policy.