Colorado State University — Pueblo, Fall 2018
CTL 494, MAESTRO Field Experience
Course Schedule & Assignments

Here is a link back to the course syllabus/policy page.

When there is a reading assignment, please read the named section(s) before that day.

Week 1

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  • A lot of bureaucracy and introductions.
  • A retrieval practice writing exercise on your schedules.
  • Discussion and writing about concerns for this semester.
• Friday this week is the last day to add classes.

Week 2

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  • Read Learn how to Study Using... Retrieval Practice — For Students, For Parents, For Teachers, Learning Scientists Posts
  • A retrieval practice writing exercise on retrieval practice.
  • Discussion and writing about issues which came up in the past week.
  • Going to a computer lab, pulling up school financial info, making sure everything is in order.
  • While at the computer, learning how to get articles which our campus library has on-line, using the reading for next week, which is Hundreds Of Women And Children Were Coming Towards Us, And Getting On Their Knees For Mercy by Tony Horwitz.
  • Discussion of some details of what you will be expected to do this semester for this course, including:
    • going to three or four recommended campus events (attendence will be taken!)
    • short writing associated with events you will go to
    • ...but there will be alternatives for students who cannot or do not want to go to particular events, which will involve other activities (reading, watching a video) and definitely writing

Week 3

• Monday this week is the last day to drop classes without a grade being recorded.
• This week, you have the option of going to an event on Tuesday or coming to class on Wednesday — you do not need to do both. Whichever you do, you must first read the article mentioned above, which is in our library: Hundreds Of Women And Children Were Coming Towards Us, And Getting On Their Knees For Mercy by Tony Horwitz. You will have to write a short reaction piece to this article, the Tuesday event, and/or the video we will see in class (if you come to class). Watch this space (the section below which talks about next week) for the details of this writing assignment, which will be due in class next week.
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  • Optionally, attend this event starting at 5:30pm at LARC 109.
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  • Those who come to class instead of attending La'ne' Sa'an Moonwalker's event from Tuesday will watch this video in class.
  • Here's a resource for students who are not feeling like they are getting as much as they would like out of reading their textbooks.

Week 4

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  • Hand in at Wednesday's class meeting Writing Assignment 1:
    • Last week, you read Hundreds Of Women And Children Were Coming Towards Us, And Getting On Their Knees For Mercy by Tony Horwitz and either attended the presentation on Tuesday by La'ne' Sa'an Moonwalker or else came to class and watched the video Colorado Experience: The Original Coloradans.
    • Write a thoughtful response to this material that mentions (aspects of, examples from) at least two of these three readings/videos/events.
    • You may also mention other sources, if you like, and should bring in your personal experiences and perspective.
    • You don't need to have a formal thesis statement, but the reader should be able to identify some main point or clear thread running through your work, or something to that effect — think of your main point or thread before starting to write, and re-read your work when you are done with it to make sure it is clear that your point or thread will be obvious to the reader.
    • Your response paper should be as long as is necessary to satisfy the above goals — and no longer! It is hard to imgaine that that would end up being shorter than around a page (describing aspects of two of the readings/events/videos, your response, a unifying point or theme you are trying to make...). It should be double-spaced and have reasonable font size and margins, and you should both email the file to your instructor and bring a printed copy to class.
  • Read — before class! — this article about how to study a textbook.

Week 5

• This week, you have the option of going to an event on Tuesday or coming to class on Wednesday — you do not need to do both. Whichever you do, you will also need to read an article which will be linked here soon. You will have to write a short reaction piece to this article, the Tuesday event, and/or the video we will see in class (if you come to class). Watch this space for the details of this writing assignment, which will be due in class next week.
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  • Optionally, attend this event starting at 6:30pm at LARC 109.
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  • Those who come to class instead of attending Christie Vilsack's event from Tuesday will this short video about global population. It relates to some of the things Christie Vilsack described on Tuesday.

Week 6

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  • Before our class read or watch at least one of the following:
    • If you liked the short video by Hans Rosling which we saw in class last week, you might like a longer video of his, too. It is longer (an hour), and you do not need to watch it all: but watch at least 15 minutes, moving around in the video until you find a section that most interests you.
    • How Does the U.S. Spend Its Foreign Aid? is an interesting article that talks about issues of foreign aid, how much the US spends on such aid, and on what it is spent.
    • If you are interested in foreign aid and its impact on flows of migrants (often refugees), "Foreign aid 'less effective than expected' at curbing migration, study says" is an interesting read.
    • Christie Vilsack is associated with the organization US AID, whose history is described on this web page.
    Whichever item you watch or read, please be ready to describe it to your fellow students in class. That doesn't have to be a complete explanation of every detail, but instead give one clear piece of information, why you found it interesting, and enough context so everyone can understand it.
  • Writing assignment: last week, Christie Vilsack spoke about her time at USAID, working to help mitigate natural and human-made disasters in the Global South, and generally to increase health, education, and commerce there. But she also talked about how there were certain themes through all of her career. She specifically suggested that young people make a plan for their futures — which well might change drastically, but nevertheless was a very valuable thing to have in mind. Your writing for this week ‐ to be handed in at class time -- is therefore to talk about your plan:

    Career path: Explain what career path you envision for yourself.

    How do your classes at CSUP fit into that path?

    What will you do after CSUP?
    If you intend to go to additional schooling, explain why and how it contriutes to you career path/plan; find a website of a school where you would happy to go for this additional education, find information about the admissions process there and a description of the program you would like to follow.
    If you do not want any more schooling, explain what you intend to do instead, and find a website which describes an activity like that -- e.g., for a similar employer to the one you where you want to work -- and find information about how to get that job/position, and what it entails.

    The goal is to describe where you want to be in 10 or 15 years and how to get there, in some detail.
    E.g., if you've been saying for a while that you want to go to law school, you should now go to a law school website, look over their admissions criteria, their program of study, and the things they say their graduates do.

    Please write at least a page (it's your life plan, it should be more than a page!), and make sure you give as complete and careful a citation as possible to any sources you use (such as websites or articles).

Week 7

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  • We played Cow Cash, an in-class simulation of a phenomenon known as Tragedy of the commons.

Week 8

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  • We watched Dear young people, "Don't Vote" and Aasif Mandvi's Daily Show Interview of a very partisan election official.
  • We also discussed gerrymandering.
  • Finally, we debated whether it makes sense for coporations to have the right to spend as much as they want on political advertisements, as was permitted by the US Supreme Court in the famous Citizens United v. FEC decision.

Week 9

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  • Pick one of the following topics:
    • Net neutrality
    • Gerrymandering
    • Unlimited Polical advertising by corporations (decided by the US Supreme Court in the Citizens United v. FEC case)
    • Religious expression by corporations (e.g., refusing to pay for employee medcial insurance which covers birth control) (decided in the US Supreme Court in the Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. case)
    • "Brexit," the process whereby the United Kingdom has chosen to leave the European Union
    • Voter ID laws
    • The North American Free Trade Agreement [NAFTA] and its recent (last week!) replacement
    • The recent report (dated October 8, 2018) from the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [IPC] on the likely severity of impending global warming.
    • The legalization of marijuana use in certain states of the US and/or Canada.
  • Find at least two articles, in at least two different reliable newspapers, on your chosen topic. Here, "reliable newspaper" means one of the following:
    • The New York Times
    • The Washington Post
    • The Denver Post
    • The Guardian
    • Another reliable newspaper of your choice only if you have OKed it in advance with your instructor
    NOTE: Our campus library has access to these newspapers, even if they seem to have a paywall — e.g., The New York Times let's you read only five free articles per month without a subscription, and The Washington Post is even more restrictivce. The way to do this is to search through our library databases. Mostly our library website is quite easy to use, but if you want some assistence using our campus access to these newspapers, you could
    • ask a librarian,
    • read the many help pages on the library website, or
    • take a look at this page which a friendly CSUP librarian made just for students from our class doing research for this assignment.
  • Submit a short paper on your chosen subject, relying on your chosen sources, which includes the following pieces:
    • A short (around 1/2 to 2/3 page) introduction to your chosen subject
    • A summary [in your own words] of at least two things your learned from your readings on your chosen subject
    • State your assessment of the accuracy or validity of the readings you used: do you think they were biased and, if so, why?
    • Give a careful and complete citation of each of the newspaper articles you used.
    • No required minimal length, but the above require minimal content means you paper will probably come out to at least one and a half or two pages.
• Friday this week is the last day to withdraw (with a W) from classes.

Week 10

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  • There will be no regular class this week! Students must instead attend author Craig Johnson's Thursday event on campus and/or the Booklovers' Black Tie Ball on Friday at the Rawlings Library downtown.
  • Optional event: Dr. Admbareen Siraj, Director of Cyber Security Education Research and Outreach Center, of Tennessee Tech, College of Engineering will present a public lecture on Women in Cyber Security. Reception from 5:30 p.m.- 6:00 pm and Lecture from 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. in HSB 101.
    • Students who want a little extra credit in CTL 494 can attend this event.
    • To get this extra credit, make sure you find your instructor and sign in, at the event.
    • In addtion (to get the extra credit), send your instructor (by email) a short response piece to the materials presented at the event. Include an example or specific fact you learned about at the event, your own personal insight or a relevant personal experience you, or someone you know, has had. This should be around half a page in length (or a 2-3 paragraphs as just an email).
    • The response piece should be sent to your instructor before next Monday.
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  • Craig Johnson event: 6pm, Hoag Hall.
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  • Booklovers' Black Tie Ball at Rawlings Library, starting at 6pm.

Week 11

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  • No regular class meeting this week, instead please attend the Cornel West event on Friday, if at all possible.
  • Please stop by the CTL whenever you have a chance to pick up a [free] copy of a book by Cornel West.
  • Note there will be two small writing assignments due next week, based on this and last weeks' activities. See details below.
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  • Cornel West will be on our campus, please attend! He speaks at the OSC Ballroom at 7pm — but come early, Dr West's events frequently fill up completely.
    Note: if you are able attend this event, make sure you find your CTL494 instructor to sign in.

Week 12

• You may choose to go to one of the outside events this week (or next) instead of coming to class on Wednesday. If you do,
  • you will be asked to write a 1-2 paragraph summary/reaction [although if you don't attend an event, you will be asked to do a little extra reading and summarize or react to that]
  • take a selfie of yourself showing you were there and send it to your instructor.
  These events will be labelled OE in this schedule.
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  • OE: 1:30-2:30 in GCB 111: "Indigenous Student Association is hosting [Native American Heritage Month Lecturer] Dr. Lian BigHorse of Arizona to present her doctoral dissertation, "The Holy Fight: Awakenings of Apache Identity from Oak Flat to Transgenerational Justice and Decolonization." Following this there will be a reception and Q and A. There will be a traditional Lakota blessing at 5:30 in front of Hoag Hall. Beginning at 6, Matt Little and the Rocky Mountain Singers will lead a Round Dance Social."
  • OE: 6:30-8pm in Ryals Room, Rawlings Library, 100 East Abriendo Ave., Pueblo, CO 81004 [there are busses; if you drive, there is easy parking; or your instructor will be driving to and from this event and can give you a lift]: "The History program and History club at CSU-Pueblo join other CSUP organizations, as well as the Community of Pueblo, to CELEBRATE 125 YEARS OF COLORADO WOMEN HAVING THE VOTE. Join us in this two-part event. 6:30-7:00 PM: We will be collecting and gathering stories of people in southern Colorado who worked for woman suffrage and/or equality. Bring stories of your ancestors that you want to share. All struggles for women's equality count. There will be snacks and activities for all ages. 7:00-8:00 PM: The story of the suffrage struggle from Colorado territory to the election of the first female state legislator (from Vineland!) in the year 1893 will be presented with re-enactments and excerpts from the Chieftain and other Southern Colorado newspapers. Hear from suffragist Mary T. Shields, who spoke about suffrage so well in the town of Trinidad that the Spanish speaking audience asked her to stay and wait for a translator so they could better understand her arguments."
  • Some students still have to submit the writing assignment from week 9, above; please take care of that by this date.
  • In addition, two additional small writing assignments are due today:
    1. A short response paper to Craig Johnson's Longmire series. This can be critical or positive, can bring in related outside source or stand just on its own. You should base it on either one or more episodes of the Longmire series on Netflix (see excerpts on YouTube as well), on (parts of_ the book which was distributed at the CTL (come to ask for your [free] copy if you didn't get one yet), or on something you heard at one or both of Johnson's public events (one at Hoag Hall, the other at Rawlings Library). You might talk about the quality of the work as mystery novels/filsm, any of the local cultures he describes in his fictional Absaroka County, WY, aspects of film making in the production of the video version, or another topic of your choosing. This should be around half a page or 2-3 paragraphs.
    2. Similarly, please react (same length as the previous one) to something you read or heard from Cornel West. Come to the CTL for a [free] book of his, or watch another speech of his, or interview with him, on YouTube (there are several), or read an article he authored you find on the Internet. Make sure you mention in your writing which work of his (speech, video (which one), book (which part), or other article (which one)) you concentrated on.
       Probably the way to structure your short reaction piece is to describe, quite briefly, an argument or position West takes, summarize his reasoning for that position, and then state whether you agree or disagree, and why or why not.
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  • OE: 7-8:30pm, LARC 109: "Geocaching International Film Festival ... The library will be hosting the 2018 Geocaching International Film Festival on Thursday, Nov 8 at 7:00 PM. Join us to watch short films made by geocachers from around the world! Also, join us on Saturday, Nov 10 at 10:00 AM in LARC 109 for a Geocaching 101 event to learn more about geocaching and to try it for yourself!"
  • OE: 7-8:45pm, Hoag Recital Hall: "Wind Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, and Sarah Shaw Dancers, The Department of Music cordially invites you to attend the Fall 2018 concert of the Percussion Ensemble & Wind Ensemble, with special guests dancers joining us from Pueblo's own Sarah Shaw Dance Studio. Enjoy an evening of energized percussion ensemble music, plus the Wind Ensemble will feature dance music that will include Cajun, Tap, Jazz, Riverdance, and dance music from West Side Story to commemorate the centennial of Leonard Bernstein's birthday."

Week 13

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  • OE: 3-5pm, OSC 108: "Movie and Discussion -- Smoke Signals is a humorous yet serious story about Victor, a young man who Director Chris Eyre describes as 'trying to forgive his father.' The movie gives us a glimpse into the contemporary Native American world, and is created by an almost exclusively Native American cast."
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  • No regular in-person class today. Instead, please attend one (or more) of the events on this list, as described here and in recent emails from your instructor.
  • OE: 1-2pm, LARC 258: "2018 CSU-PUEBLO PRESIDENT'S OFFICE HACU FORUM -- Budgeting 101: Managing your finances before and after you graduate from college. Do you need help managing your money? Does the combination of your future and finances stress you out? Alyssa Vargas-Lopez, one of the sponsored HACU National Conference attendees and HACU Ambassador, will be discussing the dos and don'ts of budgeting. This interactive discussion will include various topics, such as outside resources and reliable methods that students can use to create their own budgets as they continue their careers. The majority of college students struggle with budgeting but you don't have to. Come engage with other students like you and learn about what you can do to successfully manage your money so your future and your college life are less financially stressful."
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  • OE: 12-1pm, GCB312: "2018 CSU-PUEBLO PRESIDENT'S OFFICE HACU FORUM -- It is important for all students seeking a career to understand the competitive nature of today's businesses and educational institutions. How can you individualize yourself from the moment you apply to the moment you interview? Making a good impression takes more than an extensive resume. Yamel Ramirez, whom was a selected 2018 HACU attendee would like to share with you the tips and strategies you can use when taking the next big leap. She will highlight how employers look for candidates and how you can potentially surpass your professional competition. This will be an interactive session that will help you across any and every field, every time you apply! It's getting back to the basics. Come have some fun!"

Week 14

• Thanksgiving Break! No classes, of course.

Week 15

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  • OE: 1-2pm, LARC 258: "2018 CSU-PUEBLO PRESIDENT'S OFFICE HACU FORUM -- Do you need help managing your money? Does the combination of your future and finances stress you out? Alyssa Vargas-Lopez, one of the sponsored HACU National Conference attendees and HACU Ambassador, will be discussing the dos and don'ts of budgeting. This interactive discussion will include various topics, such as outside resources and reliable methods that students can use to create their own budgets as they continue their careers. The majority of college students struggle with budgeting but you don't have to. Come engage with other students like you and learn about what you can do to successfully manage your money so your future and your college life are less financially stressful!"
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  • OE: 10:30-11:30am, LARC 258: "2018 CSU-PUEBLO PRESIDENT'S OFFICE HACU FORUM -- Communication skills are an integral part of the job search process. Potential candidates may have the qualifications or can build up to them but they must get past the first hurdle, the interview. This can occur in a formal setting or less informal such a a job fair. Learning to tell your story and deliver it an impactful way can lead to a lasting impression and possibly employment. Join Diana Rios Martinez, attendee of HACU's 2018 Conference as she shares Telling Your Story with the 3 T's. Come have some fun!"
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  • Class attendence is mandatory today! This is the last meeting of the class, and you need to be there for various final discussions.
  • Many students have one or several writing assignments to hand in, they can come in this last day of class or by the end of finals week [i.e., next week].
  • You must come to this last class prepared, though, with your final exam schedule. This should include, for each class's final:
    1. date, time, and location
    2. what you know about the format of the final: problems, essays, multiple-choice, or other
    3. will it be comprehensive (all the material from the whole semester) or just cover the last unit of the class
    4. it is open-book and/or -notes or not
    5. can you bring a calculator or dictionary (or sword or other tool)
    OR, if there is no final for a particular class, tell what there is instead, such as a final project [in which case, describe that assignment!] or performance, or nothing at all.
  • One other thing you must do and get to your instructor either today or, certainly, before the end of exam week, is the following writing assignment:
    • What was the was most difficult thing for you — academic or otherwise — in your first semester at CSUP?
    • Why was that difficult for you, and how did the difficulty affect you?
    • How did you approach this difficulty during the course of the semester?
    • Will that issue continue to be a difficulty for your in the future? If so, how to you plan to approach it to make it better?
    This will probably be 1/2-1 page.

Week 16

• Exam week, no classes.
• You must email all of your writing and other assignments to your instructor by Friday, at the latest, for them to count for your grade this semester.