Cognitive Science 0389 - Mentoring in the Knowledge Commons: Practicum in Peer Mentoring

This course will prepare students to be peer mentors in the Knowledge Commons in the library. We will meet weekly as a group to discuss some readings, make decisions about Commons staffing, hone our practice and debrief from our experiences. The bulk of the course and its assignments take place through work as peer mentors in the Knowledge Commons space and/or in the media labs as appropriate. Each student will select to work in one of these areas: Research and Technology, Holistic Learning Program, the Community Commons, Quantitative Resource Center, the Media Labs, or more generally in academic programming (e.g. supporting a college-wide program, organizing skill shares or writing jams, etc.). Students will develop an understanding of what it means to be in a mentoring role and hone their practice. In addition to functioning as Peer Mentors during this semester, there will be opportunities for continued work as a Peer Mentor in future semesters. Students should expect to work approximately 10 hours outside of class on readings, assignments, and work in the Knowledge Commons.

Independent Work