It is essential that you offer your students specific
expectations of how you would like the Service-Learning option to
be carried out in your class syllabus. In order for
Service-Learning to be a successful pedagogy, the student must
understand that there is a partnership between your course
objectives and the needs of the community. Students receive
credit for the successful achievement of the course learning
objectives through performing a community service. In order to
achieve this, it is necessary to include an explanation of
Service-Learning in your syllabus.
This consists of the following:
- How will the Service-Learning experience fulfill course
objectives?
- What Service-Learning sites are required for the assignment?
(i.e.: Soup Kitchens, Nursing Homes, Schools, etc.).
- What method of reflection will be required for the students to
demonstrate that learning has been achieved (i.e. paper, log,
journal, class presentation, class discussion)?
- Is the Service-Learning project optional or required for all
students.?
How will the student sign-up for Service-Learning ? (i.e.
through the faculty member or through the Office of Academic
Service-Learning.) - What is the latest date to sign up for a Service-Learning
project and when is latest date to complete the poject?
Please feel free to include this sample verbiage in your
syllabus:
Academic Service-Learning at St. John’s University is a
classroom/experiential site- based program that involves students
in some form of required community service activity and uses that
activity as a means of understanding course concepts. It is a
pedagogical approach whereby students engage in a service activity
that benefits the common (public) good. The service activity meets
course objectives, and through reflection students examine issues
pertaining to justice and
identity.
Academic Service-Learning is a requirement of this course. All
students must complete _____________ number of hours of service at
______________. Reflection is an important component of AS-L since
it provides the opportunity to link what students learn in the
service
project to what they learn in the classroom. Reflection of the AS-L
experience will be in the form of a ________________ (presentation,
paper, etc.)
Once your syllabus is completed, please send a copy to our
office to be put on file. If you have any questions about how to
incorporate Academic Service-Learning in your syllabus, please do
not hesitate to call us at (718) 990-7902 or stop in and speak to
us in person in Lourdes Hall.