URS 3991 Service-Learning:

Offered Fall 1995
03 Semester Credit Hours, Elective
Prerequisites: None
Two sections will be offered on UP campus.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course examines volunteerism from historical and contemporary perspectives. It provides students with an opportunity to study and experience the urban community and to discover how communities can bridge differences among people. This course has as its major objective the encouraging of critical thinking and practical experience with respect to the concepts of citizenship and social responsiblity. The course includes a required experiential component involving students in a community-based service-learning project.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

1. To examine the theoretical, historical, practical, and political aspects of volunteerism.

2. To acquire skills in advocacy and public problem-solving.

3. To develop an appreciation for socal and civic responsiblity.

4. To acquire beginning level skills in conflict resolution while working in a highly diverse milieu.

5. To allow students to opportunity to challenge assumptions, biases, and prejudices on social, racial, and political issues.

6. To provide students with an opportunity to work on real public problems in the community, providing a minimum of 30 hours of service directed toward effecting community change.

7. To introduce and explore the basic skills of leadership.

8. To assess and strengthen self-awareness and personal skills related to service and leadership.