Faculty
Key Characteristics of a Service Learning Course
- Collaborative Community Partnerships
Partnerships should involve:- Identifying community needs
- Developing the project collaboratively
- Active engagement in the project
- Evaluating the project and partnership
- Sharing results with community partners
- Integration of Course Content
Connect course goals and objectives with meaningful, community-focused projects. - Ongoing Critical Reflection
Embed opportunities for students to analyze and reflect on their experiences throughout the course. - Application to Social Justice
Please encourage students to apply their knowledge to real-world issues related to equity and justice.
Critical Reflection
Faculty-led reflection helps ensure learning outcomes are met. Methods may include:
- Journals
- Ethnographies or field notes
- Case study papers
- Multimedia or community presentations
- Letters to the editor
- Guest speakers from the community
- Class discussions and community events
- Creative projects (e.g., songs, poems, collages)
- Visual mapping of experiences
Forming Community Partnerships
As a public land- and sea-grant university, the University of Connecticut (UConn) is committed to community improvement. Consider the following when assessing a potential partner:
- What are my interests in community work?
- How does the course content align with community needs?
- Do existing organizational relationships align with my course goals?
- Is this a good fit for the skills students can offer or wish to develop?
Faculty are encouraged to contact the Office of Service Learning for support in identifying and forming partnerships.
Syllabus Tips for Service Learning
To effectively integrate service learning, your syllabus should:
- Include service learning in the course objectives, with a clear rationale.
- Explain how service learning activities will be assessed.
- Clarify the nature of the service: Will students choose placements or work on faculty-led projects?
- Define student roles and responsibilities (e.g., transportation, time, contacts).
- Connect course content with service activities and clearly define the expected learning outcomes.
- Describe the critical reflection process (journals, discussions, papers, etc.).
- Outline the expectations for sharing student work publicly.
Sustainability
Sustainability strengthens long-term partnerships. To promote sustainability:
- Involve colleagues in your department to build shared investment.
- Maintain open, regular communication with community partners.
- Be responsive to partner needs and transparent about student capabilities.
- Start small and grow the partnership over time, adapting each semester.
Service Learning Course Designation
To support the university’s mission and track service learning efforts:
- Faculty should submit a Service Learning (SL) application to designate their course.
- SL courses are searchable in the PeopleSoft system.
Please note that once your course is designated as SL, it will remain designated. If the course number is no longer associated with service learning, please email engagement@uconn.edu.