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Resident Assistant Class Syllabus
[Insert Instructor, Day and Time of Session]
Course Description
This course provides an introduction to the Resident Assistant position, diversity and inclusion,
self reflection, and current obstacles within housing. Students will explore the culture of Housing
and Residential Life Office, Pace University, and the greater New York community. Explore
how these cultures and other broader societal structures influence residence life and the
connections we build within the residence halls. This course will be conducted over six weeks
facilitated by a professional staff member of the Housing and Residential Life Office.
Learning Outcomes of Course
Upon successful completion of the RA Class, students will be able to
1. Describe the roles and responsibilities of a Resident Assistant at Pace University.
2. Identify resources within Pace University and the community to better serve their
residents and peers during presentations and guest speakers throughout the sessions.
3. Develop knowledge on diversity, inclusion, and equity and how they play a role in
development of community and interpersonal relationships through discussions on
systematic oppression and privilege.
4. Display skills to respond and intervene with residents with mental difference in crisis and
non-crisis situations through mental health training.
5. Demonstrate their leadership philosophy they will use as a Resident Assistant through a
final presentation at the end of the course.
Assignments
The students will be responsible for six journal entries over the course of the class. Following the
prompts, listed below, students will display their knowledge in current events, self awareness,
systematic oppression, and housing. The journals will be graded based on the Journal Rubric
listed in the rubric section. Journal entries should be saved as LastName.WeekNumber.Date
Journals must be at least two pages in length but no more than three pages. Journals that do not
meet these requirements will receive an automatic zero.
Journal Prompts
Week1 Introduce yourself. This week is very open to how you want to introduce yourself.
Some questions you can answer to help: What are you passionate about? What is one
thing you would like your instructor(s) to know about you? Why do you want to be
an RA?
Week2 What has your experience been during your time at Pace University? Do you know
what office you would go to talk about financial issues? Stress? Class schedule
issues?
Week3 When someone asks “who are you?” how do you respond? Name a compassionate

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way you’ve supported a friend recently. How can you do that for yourself? What is
one topic you need to learn more about to help you live a more fulfilling life?
Week4 Privilege is defined as a special right, advantage, or immunity granted or available
only to a particular person or group of people (Webster Dictionary definition). In
order for a group to be privileged, there needs to be groups who are oppressed. These
groups face unjust treatment or control based on their identities. Discuss the areas in
which you are privileged. What do those identities mean in society, your
relationships and you personally? Have you had to think about these privileges
before writing this? How?
Week5 Currently in the United States, mental health is being discussed more than ever
before. This has lead to more college students talking about these issues and
developing help seeking behaviors. As a resident assistant, you may see mental
health within you community. How do you define mental health? What does mental
health mean to you? What does it mean to our community we are trying to create?
Week6 A leadership philosophy describes who and what influences the way you lead. This
could be previous mentors or supervisors, identities, life experiences, or
relationships. Take a moment to reflect how these different areas of your life
influence the way you interact with others and your leadership style. Based on this
reflection, describe your leadership philosophy. How will you use those identities
and relationships to lead others?
Journal Rubric
Excellent
Organizationisclearandconsistent.Nogrammatical errors.Answers
promptin-depth.
10 points
Good
Organizationislogical butnotevident.1or 2 grammatical errors.Parts of
the promptare answeredin-depth.
8 points
Average
Ideasare scatteredormisplaced.Multiple grammatical errors.Prompts
are answeredona surface level withfew in-depthareas.
6 points
Poor
Organizationishardto follow orunderstand.Consistentgrammatical
errors.Promptansweredonlyonsurface level.
4 points
Unsatisfactory
No clearor logical organization.Grammar difficulttounderstandand
almostillegible.Promptanswersappeartobe unoriginal ormissing.
2 points
No Submission Journal entrywasnot submitted. 0 points
Due Dates and Late Policies
Journal entries will be emailed to the instructor(s) before the class session begins. Journal
submitted after the beginning of class will receive an automatic zero. If an emergency situation
arises, contact your instructor immediately to develop a solution.
Inclusive Excellence (adapted from Vianden, 2015)
We recognize that our individual differences can deepen our understanding of one another and
the world around us, rather than divide us. In this class, people of all ethnicities, genders and
gender identities or expressions, religions, ages, sexual orientations, disabilities, socioeconomic

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backgrounds, regions, and nationalities are strongly encouraged to share their rich array of
perspectives and experiences. This includes students from dominant social groups. If you feel
your differences may in some way isolate you in this course or if you have a need of any specific
accommodations, please speak with the instructor(s) early about your concerns and what we can
do together to help you become an active and engaged member of this course and community.
Attendance and Participation
Students are expected to attend and participate in every class session. Students will be given a
point value based on their participation in discussion and activities during the class session. The
overall participation grade will be determined by the cumulative points acquired over the six
weeks.
Attendance/Participation Rubric
Engaged Always inclasscontributionsandengagementof others 10 points
Participatory Ofteninclasscontributionandengagement 8 points
Average Sometimes inclasscontributionsandengagement 6 points
Poor Little tonow inclasscontributionsandengagement 4 points
Nearly Absent No contributions,appearsdistractedordisinterested 2 points
Absent Notin attendance forclass 0 points
The following are examples of factors considered when evaluating participation:
 Verbally contributing interesting, insightful comments
 Building on the comments of others
 Raising thoughtful questions
 Listening to and engaging others’ comments
 Being on time for each class
 Staying on task (e.g., no side conversations or distracting self and others with laptop)
 Using inclusive and appropriate language
Students who do not attend all six sessions will receive a failing grade in the course. Emergency
situations or circumstances must be discussed with the instructor(s) as soon as possible.
Grading
In order to pass the class, students must receive a C or higher. Failure to do so will result in
failing the class and losing your position as an RA. The grade for the course will be calculated
based on the following assignments.
Journals 60 points
Attendance/Participation 60 points
Total 120 points

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A= 108 points B= 96 points C= 84 points D= 72 points F=71 points or lower
Classroom Etiquette
The class space should be an open space for all identities, beliefs, opinions, and values. Multiple
perspectives are encouraged for an enlightened conversation; however remember to be open to
other’s viewpoints, cultures, and experiences. Respect one another mutually and provide each
other opportunities to join the discussion and learn.
Cell phones are to be kept on silent and out of sight. The use of cell phones during the class
session will result in being asked to leave the class and be marked absent. If there is an
emergency and you need to have your cell phone accessible, connect with your instructor before
class.
If your class session interferes with a meal time, you are allowed to bring food to the session.
Please be respectful of others and do not bring any distracting, overly smelly or loud food. Clean
up after yourself when you are finished. All drinks (except alcoholic beverages) are permitted
during the session.

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Meeting and Assignment Schedule
Date Topic Assignmentdue
Week 1
[Insert date]
FindingYour Why
Discoveryourwhyforwhat youwant
to do.Discusshow thisplaysintowho
youare as an RA and as a mentor.
Journal #1
Week 2
[Insert date]
Welcome toPace: Res Life 101
Introductiontoresources,culture,
and general overview of residence life
at Pace University.
Journal #2
Week 3
[Insert date]
SelfAwarenessand Time Management
Get to knowyourfellow classmates
and yourself better.Alsolearneffective
time managementskills.
Journal #3
Week 4
[Insert date]
Know Your Privilege
Explorationof systematicoppression
privilege,intersectingidentities,and
howtheyall playa role inthe
developmentof yourhousing
community.
Journal #4
Week 5
[Insert date]
Mental Health Workshop
Currenttrends,signs,androle
playingactivities todevelopadeeper
understandingof mental healthin
highereducation.
Journal #5
Week 6
[Insert date]
Wrap Up
Reflectionof the RA classand
opportunitytoansweranyfinal
questions.
Journal #6