Service Learning
Service learning is the integration of service or community engagement experiences into credit-bearing academic courses. Students and faculty have the chance to apply and deepen their understanding of class concepts, learn about social justice, and examine the relevance of class topics in the real world.
The purpose of community engagement is the partnership of college and university knowledge and resources with those of the public and private sectors to enrich scholarship, research, and creative activity; enhance curriculum, teaching and learning; prepare educated, engaged citizens; strengthen democratic values and civic responsibility; address critical societal issues; and contribute to the public good.
Students
The goal of service learning is to make connections between course topics and real world issues. Service learning gives you a structured experience which you can use to evaluate, assess and apply the knowledge, theories and ideas you encounter in class.
Faculty
We understand that planning a service learning course requires faculty time and effort. We hope you find that your students' service learning compliments and helps bring your course material to life, leading to more engagement during class time.
Choose the audience that best describes you:
I teach a service learning course
I want to teach a service learning course
Agencies
Partnering with Loyola's service learning program can bring substantial benefits to your agency, including strengthening and expanding services and programs and building capacity for positive social change. However, a partnership also requires a significant investment of time and energy. It's important to understand this commitment beforehand and decide whether your agency has the capacity to make this investment.
Reflection on Service Learning Opportunities
Reflection is the structured and intentional consideration of experiences in light of particular learning objectives. When planning a service learning course, faculty should identify several points in the semester when reflection can be incorporated.