Community learning courses challenge you to put action into words and bring life to textbook lessons. You have opportunity to enliven your learning, engage real people and make a difference in the lives of others. You will be pushed to think critically about issues facing our community and society and how you can be part of the solution. You will gain valuable experience and network with local professionals and community leaders. Invest in yourself by taking a community learning class!
Volunteerism and community service focus on the service provided to others. While personally rewarding, volunteering is usually separate from academic development and may not include structured opportunities to think, write or talk about the experience, nor to integrate learning.
Internships focus on skill and career development. It is related to academic development but not designed to address pressing community needs or problems. Students are placed individually and may not have the opportunity to reflect on the meaning and importance of community involvement with others.
Community learning focuses on both the student and the clients or recipients of the service. Through community learning courses, students help to address an unmet community need and investigate the issues surrounding that need. The service links directly to course learning objectives. Students reflect and learn from their experiences on both a personal and academic level. In connecting to community issues, students team with an organization providing services to meet the needs of a clientele. And not-for-profit organizations, faith-based organizations and city/county government programs greatly benefit from students’ skills and energy.
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