Service Learning is defined as an academic endeavor that incorporates hands-on experience in support of learning about social issues. Students learn the history, background and current theories of a social issue and work directly with affected populations while addressing these issues. They share their experiences with each other and use their teacher/instructor as a resource. The students broaden their perspectives on the world, gain confidence to become effective change agents and increase their commitment to the community in which they volunteer.
The purpose of this course is two-fold: To learn about the Jewish nature of volunteering and community service, as well as to access community needs, discuss them, analyze them and act on those needs. Each student is required to work closely with a volunteer site and give 20-30 hours of their time per week to volunteering at the site. The hours spent with those taking the course are intended to be a forum in which analysis of the volunteer experience is given time and energy. Issues surrounding volunteering will be addressed through discussion and group exercises in hopes of linking participation with theory.
Objectives of this course include:
Working closely with an agency or school
Applying service learning theory to the local community
Understanding some of the critical issues facing the local community
Developing relevant skills towards becoming an effective teacher, teacher’s assistant, group leader, etc.
Integrating scholarship and fieldwork, both Jewish and secular
Working effectively within small groups
Students will be evaluated based on: attendance and active participation at school/agency (30%), class assignments and participation (20%), weekly journal (10%), oral presentation final about social issues within the school/agency(20%) and an analysis paper (20%).
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