APPLY
VISIT
GIVE
What is Service Learning?
A Service Learning Course is defined as "a course that incorporates at least 15 hours of course-related community service with reflection activities to enhance students' understanding of course content, self-awareness, and civic engagement," per the 2009 CSUDH Academic Senate Executive Committee.
To watch a Vimeo video showing a high-impact service learning course in action, check out Archaeology at the Rancho.
Also, please review our Service Learning Handbook for helpful rubrics, forms, and tips and our Guide [PDF] for best practices, including risk management.
What is Civic Engagement?
"Civic engagement means working to make a difference in the civic life of our communities and developing the combination of knowledge, skills, values, and motivation to make that difference. It means promoting the quality of life in a community, through both political and non-political processes." – Thomas Ehrlich
SLICE, the Office of Government and Community Relations, and the Political Science Department collaborate to present town halls and symposiums to help educate the campus and community on important political issues.
Service Learning & Community-Based Learning Programs
In these type of programs, field-based "experiential learning" with community partners is an instructional strategy, and often a required part of the course. The idea is to give students direct experience with issues they are studying in the curriculum and with ongoing efforts to analyze and solve problems in the community. A key element in these programs is the opportunity for students to apply what they are learning in real-world settings and to reflect on their service experiences in a classroom setting. These programs model the idea that giving something back to the community is an important college outcome, and that working with community partners is good preparation for citizenship, work, and life.
Designation Process for Community Engaged Learning Courses
Initiated by Professor Sarah Taylor in her previous role as Service Learning Faculty Liaison and continued by Dr. Avila, we are currently working on developing a designation process for Service Learning (CSLI) and Curricular Community-Engaged Learning (CCEL) courses so that these courses can appear on the transcripts of students enrolled in those classes. More information will be available soon.
For more information, please contact Dr. Avila at maravila@csudh.edu