Community Service Learning Overview
Community Service Learning is integrated into the curriculum with its two-fold emphasis on both enriching student learning and revitalizing the community in what defines experiential learning. The structure of the class involves students with opportunities that address the human, safety, educational, and environmental needs of the community. Therefore, the student’s services and reflection activities enrich learning experiences by emphasizing the logical link between experience and knowledge. CSL may be offered as an option for a class, a requirement for a class, or as a one hour stand-alone class, HUSV 1103, Community Service Learning.
Service to the Community Overview
Service to the Community is an outreach to the community that provides a win-win situation to all involved. Students, faculty, and staff volunteer their services and in return gain new experiences, new friends, and new life possibilities while developing a stronger sense of self worth and pride. The community has the opportunity to experience such benefits as improving its conditions, enhancing visibility and prestige, building a stronger and safer atmosphere, and developing better resources for all citizens while increasing public input.
Community Restitution
Community Restitution is any community service that is punitive or court-ordered, and therefore not voluntary. The Community Service Learning office does not organize this kind of service, as we feel that it takes away from what service should be about, i.e. it should be voluntary.
Additional Community Service Terminology
“Engaged learning” is when students are active participants in learning rather than passive recipients of information, through civic education, community research or other pedagogies, or through living-learning, intergroup dialogues, or other educational programs.
“Civic engagement” is when people address issues of public concern in order to create change, through approaches such as policy advocacy, social action, or community organizing.
