Service-Learning Courses
Walsh University faculty members can benefit in a variety of ways from teaching a service-learning course. Service-learning can help faculty enhance teaching, build stronger relationships with students, broaden topics for research, and demonstrate a commitment to the community.
For a course to receive an "SL" designation, the service-learning experience must:
- Enhance the course learning outcomes through the application of course content.
- Be clearly outlined in the course syllabus and be an expressed goal in at least one learning outcome.
- Involve experience with a community-based organization* during which the students work to meet a need(s) identified by the community organization.
- Involve at least 10 hours of service experience for a 3 credit hour course.
- Involve continuous, challenging, connected, and contextualized reflection on the experience and learning (pre-service, during service, and post-service).
Service-learning can provide support to interested faculty through project consultation, community site development, class workshops (Service-learning orientation, pre-service activities, or reflection activities), and other resources.
Service-Learning Course Funding
Faculty may apply for funding from service-learning for course projects, programs, or resources. These small grants are designed to support faculty or assist students in the development and implementation of a project which aligns with the course and benefits the community.
Funding will be determined based on the budget each year and on the following criteria:
- How the project/program aligns with the mission or vision of service-learning (enhancing learning and benefiting the community)
- How innovative and creative the project/program is
- How the money will be spent
- How many students are involved
Resources
Contact Kristi Campbell at kcampbell1@walsh.edu, for access to the ECN site, which hosts resources such as sample syllabi, rubrics, reflections, articles, community partner profiles, and more.