Community-based or service learning is an experiential pedagogy that combines direct service with course learning goals to meet a community-defined need.

The Community Service Office offers curriculum development grants to support the integration of community-based learning components into existing courses.  Grant recipients receive a $1,500 stipend for summer curriculum development work.  Faculty recipients work through the Community Service Office to identify community partners and projects and post their syllabus on the Community-based learning webpage.

The application deadline for 2009-10 courses is January 30, 2009.  Interested faculty should submit a letter of application to Stacey Riemer.  The letter should include:

• The course name, number and anticipated/maximum enrollment
• The intended learning outcomes  / educational value of the community-based learning experience for students as it applies to the course
• Expectations for how community-based learning will help achieve the goals of the course
• Initial ideas for the nature of the service experience or types of organization with whom you would like to work
• Summary of activities / workplan to develop the course over the summer
• A statement of commitment to teach the course with the integrated service component during the 2009-10 academic year, and
• Indication that approval has been given by your department chair

The Community Service Office has a wealth of course development resources including sample course syllabi from specific disciplines and staff with expertise in community-based pedagogy.