Service Learning 293H - Learning/CommEngmnt

This course prepares students for the practice of community engagement and community-based learning, and is the first course students take for the Community Scholars Program (CSP), or as a foundation course for the Civic Engagement and Public Service Certificate. Students explore what constitutes appropriate, effective and reciprocal work with a community partner, and how best to integrate this experiential learning with academic learning. The course examines critical issues of social justice, civic leadership, advocacy/activism, social identity and/or other issues of public concern. Students collaborate with and/or are placed within a community organization that relates directly to the course topic. (Gen.Ed. SB, DU)

This course is primarily for Commonwealth Honors College students, but may be taken by non-honors students with the permission of the instructor. This is an introductory course to community engagement and service-learning, and has no prerequisites. This course also fulfills key requirements for a UMass interdisciplinary Certificate in Civic Engagement & Public Service.