Osborn MST, DPSCD

Student Government Course Syllabus

Winter Semester 2017
Course Title: Student Government
Eligible Students: Ninth Twelfth
Objective: This program will prepare students to become knowledgeable
and active citizens, and leaders within our community. The program will provide
students a practice forum for parliamentary procedures, where they can critically
dialogue on various issues which affect our schools and community; develop and
improve leadership skills; and actively participate in solving real community
problems through various Service Learning Projects. At MST, there is currently
no official student council, therefore this first semester will be an Interim Student
Government in which a small core group of 8-10 students will create the
infrastructure for a democratically elected, traditional student government in the
2017-18 school year.

Course Requirements
Course readings & reflections 25% - Students will be
required to read 1-2 short articles each week in class or for homework and
prepare a one page summary with questions and thoughts for discussion.
8 reflection papers in total. We will be reading about ways in which
students and other historical figures have been active leaders in their
community.
Participation 25% - Students must actively participate in the
discussion of the class by coming on time and engaging in critical
conversation.
Student Service Project: 25% Students will work in action
groups to pick an issue in the school or community and accomplish a short
term goal by May as well as develop a long term plan for the future
student council.
Leadership Modules 25%: Students will need to complete a
series of leadership modules in public speaking, leading a meeting,
credentialing yourself as a leader, networking, developing an action plan,
and creating a core team.

Course Texts:
Boyle, K. (2007). Arc of justice: A saga of race, civil rights,
and murder in the Jazz Age. New York: Henry Holt and Company.
Mirel, J. (2007). The rise and fall of an urban school system:
Detroit, 1907-81 (2nd ed.). AnnArbor, MI: University of Michigan Press

 Sugrue, T. (2005). The origins of the urban crisis: Race and

inequality in postwar Detroit. New Jersey: Princeton University Press.

Teen Leadership Institute- Students will also participate in the Teen

Leadership Institute, a citywide organization that gives students experience in
governance. The Institute brings together high school students from across the
city to engage in Service Learning Projects, Bill Writing, Mock Jury Trials,
Parliamentary Procedures, Fundraising, Michigan Youth in Government
Conferences and other activities that strengthen their leadership and
communication skills, and prepare them for college and beyond.

The TLI provides a practice forum for parliamentary procedures and offers
opportunities for students to critically dialogue on various issues that affect the
lives of those within their schools and communities. Ultimately, this experience
will prepare them to become knowledgeable and active citizens and leaders
within our community.