SAN FRANCISCO YOUTH SERVICES OUTPOST

January 2 to March 26, 1974

Sponsored by

The College of Community Studies
Northwestern University

Program Description

1. What is the San Francisco Youth Services Outpost?

A program of field experience combined with academic study: one quarter, 4 units of credit for 16 students.

2. Why was the outpost established?

To give students the opportunity to (a) pursue goals of liberal education within a community instead of the walls of a university, (b) to tap the potential of the community as educational resource, (c) to improve understanding of social institutions by working within institutions

3. What are the goals of the Outpost?

(a) First hand exposure to social service agencies delivering youth services, (b) Provide students with opportunities and resources for formal reflection on field experiences

4. What is the central theme of the Outpost program?

Socialization by Institutions- 3 questions: What is impact of an agency’s policies and practices on (a) clients (b)agency staff and (c) themselves

5. What is the role of the Outpost staff?

Weekly seminar conducted by an experienced behavioral scientist providing students with theoretical, empirical material relevant to the theme. Tutors meet individually with students.

6. What is required of students?

(a) Before the quarter in San Francisco, students participate in workshops and conferences to prepare for outpost. They must make a proposal for project and select agency.

(b) Spend 20-30 hours per week as para-professional or volunteer aide in youth services agency in San Francisco

(c) 3 hours per week in seminar and at least one hour in conference with tutor

(d) 3 papers on each question

(e) pursue individual research project and submit detailed written report of findings

7. What kind of academic credit is granted for Outpost participation?

The program is accredited by the School of Education and Sociology Department in the College of Arts and Sciences.

8. Who arranges housing and transportation for participating students?

Each student must make his or her own arrangements.

9. Will involvement in the Outpost cost more than a regular quarter at N.U?

Participation in the Outpost costs no more than a regular quarter on the Evanston campus, with the exception of travel expenses. The pre-program deposit of $100 is credited towards tuition

10. What arrangements must be made for returning to Northwestern for Spring Term?

Each participant identifies a friend who will send him pre-registration info and handling Spring pre-registration in Evanston.

The College of Community Studies is part of Northwestern University’s residential college program, and affords an opportunity for students to pursue heightened understandings of the ways in which communities function. The College might best be characterized by the concept of “integration” in the broadest sense of the term. The program is intended to integrate: field work and classroom study, the disciplines and the theme of community studies, living and learning, students and faculty with different academic backgrounds, the functions of teaching, research, and public service.

The College is located at 2303 Sheridan Road on the Evanston campus, and it provides living space for 35 students, office space for 15 staff members, and a gathering spot for approximately 70 non-residential members. The building includes classroom and lounge facilities, and there is a College dining room in a nearby building.