Academic Service-Learning
“Service-learning is a credit bearing, educational experience in which students participate in organized service activity that meets identified community needs and reflects on the service activity in such a way as to gain further understanding of course content, a broader appreciation of the discipline, and an enhanced sense of civic responsibility.”
Robert Bringle & Julie Hatcher, Office of Service Learning, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis
- credit bearing: The service-learning must be tied to an academic course.
- organized service activity: Activities are thought out and organized with community partners so that there is a deliberate relationship connecting the service opportunity with course material.
- identified community needs: Projects meet need(s) identified or affirmed by community partners. Communication with community partners is essential.
- reflects: Time is spent specifically on reflecting and analyzing the service experience in relation to course content and personal experience.
- course content: Service is not simply an added component of a course, but integrated into the course as a tool used to reach course goals.
- civic responsibility: Explores the social connections to scholarly research and academic inquiry.
