Community-based (or Service) Learning and volunteering allow students to learn about life outside the classroom through active participation in a community setting. Working with local community members provides an invaluable opportunity to develop and enhance abilities and interests in responding to real world concerns and problems, such as those that might be evident in the community where the service experience takes place.
Community-based Learning often takes place in the context of an academic course, where students engage in activities that address human and community needs, taking part in an exchange characterized by reciprocity. Everyone involved collaborates in an effort to meet certain needs and are challenged and stimulated in way that extends beyond the traditional classroom.
Community-based Learning looks very different from course to course and is determined through a collaborative process including faculty, students, and local community groups. Students receive credit for the course, and hours of required service vary. Talk to your Departmental Advisor or check the Class Schedule for Community-based Learning course listings.
Volunteer opportunities, although still rooted in a community setting, do not typically take place as part of an academic course. Unlike internships, for example, volunteer positions may offer more flexible hours. Numerous volunteer positions are regularly available through a vast network of non-profit organizations, social service agencies, camps, and media groups.
In addition to the CICD, liberal arts students can also take advantage of volunteer opportunities through "Temple Volunteers," part of the University's Office of Community Relations.
Meanwhile, the Temple's Student Leadership Challenge program gives students "access to a rich variety of interactive leadership development programs, educational options, and training experiences that will inspire and transform," including "a menu of interactive and engaging opportunities for students to learn and practice leadership...academic courses, seminars, speaker series, service opportunities, leadership conferences, a living-learning community, skills workshops..."
********
For information pertaining to experiential and community-based learning in the College of Liberal Arts, including philosophy, definitions, support structures, best practices, course development, synthesis and reflection, tenure and promotion issues, legal and liability issues, and comprehensive appendices with recommended readings, websites, and worksheets, please consult the CLA Experiential and Community-Based Learning Manual.
********
Center for Internships & Career Development
College of Liberal Arts
Michael Székely, Coordinator
3rd Floor, 1810 Liacouras Walk
Philadelphia, PA 19122
(215) 204-6704
mszekely@temple.edu