Hesston College Mission Statement
Hesston College, the two-year college of the Mennonite Church USA, educates and nurtures each student within Christ-centered community, integrating thought, life, and faith for service to others in the church and the world.
Hesston College Outcomes
Hesston College strives to help each student become:
- A Competent Communicator
- A Critical Thinker
- An Integrative Thinker
- A Socially Responsible Person
- A Person of Biblical Understanding and Faith
General Information
| Credits: | 1 |
| Instructor: | Russ Gaeddert |
| Contact information: | E-mail: russg@hesston.edu Office phone: 620-327-8294 Home phone: 620-663-1240 |
| Schedule: | 1 hour per week, time and day to be decided |
Course Description
This course is designed to have students become familiar with all aspects of Mennonite Disaster Service, emphasizing service to people in need, and to prepare them for leadership roles with MDS and other disaster response agencies.
Course Objectives in the MDS Culture courses
Students will:
- Learn about the history of MDS;
- Demonstrate an understanding of MDS as an organization;
- Explore the phases of disaster response and recovery;
- Understand the many aspects of planning and working on a project site;
- Recognize the importance of relating to other disaster relief agencies;
- Understand how to work with and respond to disaster survivors;
- Develop an understanding of the spiritual aspect of MDS work;
- Learn about the many roles in MDS;
- Demonstrate knowledge of tasks required on MDS sites.
Primary Sources
The primary text for this class will be the MDS Manual. Other sources will be the book The Hammer Rings Hope, the MDS newsletter “Behind the Hammer”, the MDS web site, guest speakers, videos, and other articles and handout.
Course Requirements
- Attendance: Each student is expected to attend class unless there are special circumstances. If an absence is necessary, the learner is expected to be responsible for any material covered that day.
- Class participation: Each student will be expected to participate in class discussions.
- Volunteer hours and journal: Each student will be expected to participate in at least three service projects during the semester, with journal entries about each experience.
- Exams: There will be three exams throughout the semester, including the final exam.
- Assignments: Written work will be assigned throughout the semester.
Grading Policy
| A = | 90 – 100% |
| B = | 80 – 89% |
| C = | 70 – 79% |
| D = | 60 – 69% |
| NC = | 0 – 59% |
Course Topics
- Introduction to class
- Why are you here?
- History of MDS
- Hesston tornado
- Volunteering with MDS
- Preparing for a project
- The project
- Being a project director
- Setting up and running a field office
- Cooking on site
- Relationships with other agencies
- Closing a project
Special Needs
Any student in this course who has a disability that may prevent full demonstration of abilities should contact me to discuss any needed accommodations.
Disclaimer
The dynamics of this course may necessitate the contents of the syllabus to change. Thus, the syllabus is subject to change with the approval of the instructor.