What is Service Learning?
At the Feinstein Institute, we understand service-learning as a method of teaching that integrates community service experiences to provide a context for and enrich an academic curriculum. Service-learning is integrated into the academic curriculum, meets actual community needs, and provides structured time for students to think, talk and write about what they are doing in their service experiences.
Service-learning is typically a three-step process:
- Orientation and preparation: students learn about the surrounding community and are orientated to their service site placement
- Active service: students volunteer at organizations that address issue including health care, after school youth programs, tutoring, English for students of other languages, immigration, the environment, affordable housing, elder care, poverty and homelessness
- Reflection: Reflection is an opportunity to relate classroom learning, service, and personal experience. Students compare their interpretations of service to those of scholars, service providers, and people receiving service from a variety of disciple, cultures, and traditions.
Courses are taught by faculty in the Public and Community Service Studies Department and Global Studies Program, in addition to other departments across the campus such as English, Education, History, Philosophy, Political Science, Social Work, Sociology, and Theology.
Fall 2012 Service Learning Courses
- GST 101 - Introduction to Global Studies
- PSP 101 - Introduction to Service in Democratic Communities
- PSP 302 - Diversity, Community, and Service
- PSP 322 - Practicum in Public and Community Service
- SWK 101 - Human Need and Social Response
- SWK 220 - Diversity in Social Work
- SWK 301 - International Human Services