Teaching Service Learning

Service Learning Designated Courses

Service Learning designated courses are taught by faculty who have completed the Key Center introductory workshop which offers information on best practices in the field including reciprocal relationship building with community partners, the integration of meaningful reflection activities and creating critical connections between the curriculum and engagement work. Attend one of our upcoming workshops to begin the process.
 

Why Designate?

  • Support UNC Asheville’s national standing as a civically engaged campus
  • Access to service learning professional development and best practices
  • Access to service learning course grants
  • Receive orientation & training resources for your students to prepare for community engagement
  • Provide increased opportunities for students to achieve the Community Engaged Scholar Designation

 

Achieving Service Learning Designation for Your Course

  • Step 1: Attend “Making Your Course Service Learning Designated” Workshop, or speak with Ameena Batada (abatada@unca.edu) or Kate Johnson (kjohns17@unca.edu)
  • Step 2: Submit an application to the Key Center
  • Step 3: Receive formal designation from the Key Center

Don’t forget:

  • You can request a service learning orientation from one of our team members for your classroom (email keycenter@unca.edu to schedule)

 

Service-Learning Designated Course Criteria

  1. The course has, as a central feature, a required service-learning project that strongly relates to the academic content of the course (i.e., it is not an add-on or afterthought, but rather is integral to the course and its goals) and makes up at least 25% of the course grade.
  2. The project is designed as a joint, equal effort between the faculty member and community partner(s), with a clear expectation and goal of benefitting the partner(s).
  3. The faculty member prepares students to undertake service-learning research and/or a project.
  4. Students regularly reflect on the service-learning experience.
  5. The course requires an appropriate amount of service to the community for the course.
  6. The professor, students, and community partner complete a pre- and post-evaluation provided by the Key Center.