In FYS 101, exploring case studies provides an opportunity to deepen your understanding of self, campus, and community. These real-life narratives, historical events, and community issues help highlight the diverse experiences of Syracuse students and community members, and foster connections to broader goal of engaged citizenship. Through these assignments, you will critically examine identity, belonging, and engagement within and beyond Syracuse University.
For the individual case study assignment, you will choose one Syracuse University case from the If You're Reading This website. This is a student-run organization founded by students at Syracuse. Their mission is: “IfYoureReadingThis.org is a mental health community that empowers students to build and tap into their support networks by amplifying the faces and stories of our communities. We strive to help students feel comfortable talking to somebody about their mental health, by identifying the people who want to listen, and by showing an outpouring of love
and understanding." You should reflect on themes of belonging, resilience, and thriving. Connect the story to your own transition and sense of self at SU.
You will come back to class and discuss what you have learned from the student letter you selected based on the following reflection
questions:
i. How would you summarize this student’s story in 30 seconds?
ii. Why did you select this student’s story?
iii. What aspects resonated with your own experience, or why did
the story not resonate with you?
iv. How did the story connect to what we learned about belonging,
resiliency, and thriving at Syracuse University?