Peer Education Foundations

Catalog description

The Peer Education Foundations course is a highly interactive and student-driven course; the material and activities focus on fostering and sharpening internally held knowledge, values, beliefs, creativity, and priorities. Students will reflect on and deepen their awareness of personal identities, skills, experiences, and goals using individual journaling activities as well as small and large group discussions. Students will analyze case studies to explore and discuss the role of identity in peer support. Hands-on practice and role play scenarios are interwoven into all lessons to deepen student's ability to and confidence in providing culturally responsive peer support. This course will also explore the application of the structural elements of peer support. Students will collaborate with peers to design programmatic systems including reporting conventions, leadership structure, outreach and marketing plans, and event planning. A critical lens is applied throughout the course as a way of centering students in the historical and cultural context in which peer education is being applied. Emphasis will be placed on student leadership within the context of Carnegie Mellon University. Academic support will be provided by campus and community partners. This course is part of the Certified Peer Educator (CPE) program offered through the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA). Upon completion of this course, students will receive a CPE certification stating that they have been trained in the core skills that will make them a better leader, role model, activist, and team member. More information about the NASPA CPE Training is available on NASPAs website. Course Website: https://www.naspa.org/project/certified-peer-educator-cpe-training