To achieve the university's overall goal, this course will help you to become more comfortable using primary and secondary research to support your own arguments.  In this effort, our particular class will focus on volunteer service and the local organizations that work to meet the needs of our community.  We will spend this quarter examining several organizations and, even more importantly, participating in their events and activities.

In so doing, you will also develop your critical thinking and writing skills, which will prepare you to be a better writer about any subject.  You will be challenged to consider issues more deeply than you have before, so that you are asking good questions and writing logical, informed essays.  

Ultimately, you will write a strong, coherent, and solid research paper by the end of these ten weeks.  And even better, you will learn more about our community, develop a network of valuable contacts for the future, and give of yourself in a practical and beneficial way.  My sincere hope is that your service will continue long after you leave my class.

Volunteer.  It will change your life.