Class teaches students to change communities

When students enter the “Business Communication” course, they don’t always get what they bargained for.

CMCL-C223 “Business Communication” is a course offered through the Department of Communication and Culture that teaches students about the structure of communities and how to change them.

“This was not the class I thought it was going to be, but it was much more rewarding,” said Sean Williams, a student in professor Whitney Gent’s class. “This is a class where you actually benefit people.”

Other students shared Williams’ enthusiasm.

“It’s pretty amazing what we can do for nothing,” freshman Ronald AngSiy said. He was part of a group that, after a semester of preparation, threw a party for residents of local non-profit Stepping Stones, a group that provides housing for at-risk teens with nowhere else to go.

The group that put together the event was not an extracurricular club or a community organization; it was students in a class.

“In a setting where you’re studying for grades, the fact that you’re spending class time doing something that has relevance is incredible,” AngSiy said.

For the fall 2008 semester, there were 10 sections of C223 with five instructors. After learning the basic information for the course, each class came up with its own advocacy project and carried it out for its final project.

AngSiy said that his instructor “took the backseat,” grading students on their productivity but granting them control of their project.

His class planned a party to get to know the residents and to talk to them about college life. The event took place in the Teter Formal Lounge, and the evening’s food was provided by local businesses.

About eight residents from Stepping Stones attended the function. The group played games, went on a tour of the dorms and received holiday gifts. IU athletics donated a free basketball ticket to each teen. The class also donated $500 to the foundation to help out during the economic crisis.

AngSiy said the event was a success.

“Everyone loved it, and we exceeded our expectations. It was flawless. We were actually shocked while the party was going on, like, ‘Wow, we actually coordinated this,’” he said.

Other classes put together completely different projects. Williams and his peers planned a raffle to raise money for the South Central Community Action Program.

The SCCAP is a local group that helps Bloomington’s low-income families winterize their homes and pay their heating bills. 

“There are thousands of people, especially in Bloomington, that need our help, especially with the recession,” Williams said. 

Williams and his classmates put together baskets with donations from local businesses like Marsh, Cheeseburger in Paradise, Movie Gallery, Starbucks and Baked! of Bloomington. They sold raffle tickets in the community for $1 each and ended up making about $1,200 after all of the tickets were sold. 

Another class planned a campaign to help IU restore its school spirit after the recent basketball controversies.

AngSiy encouraged his peers to take advantage of the class while it is still available.
“IU students really do have an impact on the community,” he said, “and they can give back to the city.”