Building Community-Engaged Learning Courses
The Center for Community Engagement & Social Impact has a plethora of resources for faculty to utilize, including a resource library, located in our office. Some of these resources include recent publications about Community-Engaged Learning in a variety of disciplines, information about the benefits of Community-Engaged Learning , timesheets for students to track their hours , risk management information , and sample syllabi.
There are several areas to consider when starting a Community-Engaged Learning course. The following are steps that will help faculty (re)design and prepare a Community-Engaged Learning course.
- Identify your goals and objectives. Write or rewrite student learning outcomes.
- Determine the type of service project that will complement your learning goals and objectives.
- Select a community partner.
- Involve the community partner in the planning stages.
- (Re)design and share your syllabus with the community partner.
- Introduce students to the concept of Community-Engaged Learning and the community work they will be doing.
- Explain how the community work will allow them to gain a deeper understanding of the core concepts taught in the course.
- Provide opportunities to reflect on the service experience throughout the semester.
- Assess the overall Community-Engaged Learning experience.
If you are faculty or a Chair interested in incorporating Community-Engaged Learning into your course or academic program, please contact Tina Chiarelli-Helminiak, CCESI Faculty Associate.