Semester
Fall 2017
Learning Domains Addressed
o Social Justice & Advocacy
o Personal Development
Learning Outcomes
Student will be able to learn the names of the cohort, along with the names of the faculty.
Student will spend time with all members of the cohort and participate in team building experiences.
Student will be able to understand concepts such as identity development, intersectionality, oppression and privilege, as it relates to their lives individually and as a group.
Student will be able to develop successful individual and group strategies for the future of the program from reflection and dialogue, as well as lecture and interactive based lessons.
Assessment Rubric
Advanced:
Learn all faculty and student names in the cohort. Make contact multiple times with each member of the cohort. Participate in and help lead a team-building exercise. Present for all lectures. Contribute multiple times to a multiple group discussions.
Competent:
Learn all faculty and student names in the cohort. Make contact with each member of the cohort at least once. Participate in all team-building exercises. Present for all lectures. Contribute to a group discussion more than once.
Basic:
Learn three quarters of faculty and students names in the cohort. Make contact with the three quarters of the cohort. Participate in all but one team-building exercise. Present for all but one lecture. Contribute to a group discussion once.
Poor:
Learn half or less of the faculty and student names in the cohort. Make contact with half or less of members in the cohort. Do not participate more than once in team-building exercise. Not be present for more than one lecture. Do not contribute to a group discussion at all.
Evidence
To evaluate my participation and experience at the retreat, I engaged in a lengthy group discussion the following Wednesday in Dr. Rebecca Gutierrez Keeton’s class. Based off the reflections of others, as well as my own, I was able to confirm that I had successfully attained each student learning outcome at a competent level. I have also provided a photograph of the cohort below, taken right before our departure from Pilgrim Pines.
Reflection:
This retreat was one of my highly anticipated events for the semester. The opportunity to go into a setting away from the city and spend time with my cohort presented many opportunities. As I was driving up to Yucaipa I could not help but to feel a little nervous but I was excited to see what was in store. Climbing the mountain through a morning fog presented a calming atmosphere that would carry through the reminder of the trip. Once we all arrived, we segregated ourselves into the groups that we had become comfortable with from previous classes. After we unpacked and found our living quarters for the night, we all met in a large conference-type room where the faculty gave us a brief but thorough introduction, along with the agenda for the trip.
The cafeteria allocated a space for all of us to break off from our preexisting groups and begin to interact. Conversations on a variety of topics, from personal stories to social justice concerns were present throughout. After each meal we returned to the conference room, which in many respects would be our home. I do wish that the nature around us could have been incorporated into a lesson or activity, but I understand why it was not. Faculty did give us time towards the end of Friday to survey our surroundings, which I appreciated.
My biggest take away from the retreat was twofold. One; after getting to know my cohort it is safe to say they exceeded all expectations. We have a unique, humorous, incredibly sharp and caring group of people who really enjoyed the presence of each other and took full advantage of the space we were in.
Furthermore, being able share our stories allowed us to see the layers of each other’s personality and gain a more robust understanding of one another. This interaction also supplemented the tough but edifying conversations about privilege and identity. My second take away had to do with the faculty’s expertise at facilitating the retreat. Even though it was quiet and peaceful, they kept us on a pace that seemed to gain momentum with each passing lecture or activity.
There was not a dull moment, and every outcome they set forth prior to the retreat seemed to come to fruition. Building trust and dissecting emotional topics like oppression are tall tasks, so seeing the constant growth, intrigue, and engagement that our cohort exhibited was a indication of our faculty’s craftsmanship.
In conclusion, being in a space, which guided all us to come together and interact on a more emotive level, was nothing short of amazing. I do wish there was a year two retreat, because I can see the trip going to new heights. I also believe there is something to returning to where you started when on a journey. However, in the world of budgets and time I completely understand why this is not possible.
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