Application For Service-Learning Scholar

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS
DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 11, 2008
______________________________
Service Learning Scholars

Applications are invited for consideration of Service Learning Scholar.

Classification and Purpose
The University of New Haven is pleased to announce a new program in support of faculty who wish to develop academic Service Learning courses.  The Experiential Education Office will offer up to eight awards of $1,000 to faculty who will develop and implement academic Service Learning courses for the 2008-2009 academic year and beyond. 

Academic Service Learning is a pedagogical approach that links learning objectives with service objectives to deepen students' understanding in a specified academic discipline.   Academic Service Learning meets an actual community need and provides structured opportunities for students to reflect on their experience and to apply their knowledge and skills in real-life situations. Academic Service Learning enriches the learning experience, develops civic responsibility, and strengthens communities.

Academic Service Learning "is a credit-bearing, educational experience in which students participate in an organized service activity that meets identified community needs and reflect on the service activity in such a way as to gain further understanding of course content, a broader appreciation of the discipline, and an enhanced sense of civic responsibility" (Bringle and Hatcher 1995). 

Students will reap the rewards as faculty use "service in the community" as a tool to reach learning objectives in their classes.  Faculty will involve students in direct service which meets significant community needs while integrating the Service Learning pedagogy in specific academic disciplines through research, writing, and presentations.  Examples of academic Service Learning include environmental science students measuring water pollution and then disseminating their findings to neighborhood residents and government administrators, and accounting students assisting low-income citizens with tax returns. 

Service Learning Scholars will attend and participate in four professional seminars that will introduce faculty to academic Service Learning.  Seminars (approximately two hours each) will be held on Wednesdays, February 20 and 27, and March 5 and 12 and will be held in the Dean's Conference Room, Buckman Hall, room 329. Seminar topics include Discover Service Learning as Pedagogy, Establish Community Partnerships, Design an Academic Service Learning Course, and Integrate Reflection & Pursue Service Learning Opportunities. 

After completion of the seminars, Scholars will have a strong working knowledge of academic Service Learning and will have the tools necessary to integrate the Service Learning component into an already existing academic course.  Service Learning components should enhance and enrich existing curricular learning outcomes rather than change them. Together with the University's Academic Service Learning Specialist, Scholars will complete course construction and will have a revised course syllabus, a partnership with a community agency, and be a member of a university-wide academic Service Learning network.

Expectations of Scholars
To be selected as a Service Learning Scholar, you must 

• identify a course you wish to incorporate Service Learning pedagogy into and submit previous course description and syllabus by February 11, 2008;
• complete the Service Learning Scholar application and submit by February 11, 2008;
• attend, prepare for, and participate in all four seminars (dates listed below);
• teach your Service Learning course in the 2008-2009 academic year;
• contribute to the growth of academic Service Learning at UNH by attending Experiential Education Academic Service Learning Subcommittee meetings (approx. once per month);
• showcase your academic Service Learning course on Experiential Education Day (Spring 2008);
• file course syllabus and sample activities with the Experiential Education Office; and
• lend your expertise by co-teaching one Service Learning Scholar seminar in Fall 2008.

Service Learning Scholars Seminar Dates, Times, and Topic

***All seminars will be held in the Dean's Conference Room, Buckman Hall, room 329***

To Apply
Submit the completed application electronically, and send as one document (with course description and syllabus as an additional attachment) to Sally Anastos, Academic Service Learning Specialist, at sanastos@newhaven.edu no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, February 11, 2008.

Service Learning Scholar Application

Name:
Title:
College:
Department:
Phone:
Email:
Course name/number:

Academic Service Learning Course Summary (150 words maximum)

Department Chair's signature:                                                                                          

Dean's signature:                                                                                                                 

***Department Chair's and Dean's signatures indicates that you have discussed incorporating the Service Learning pedagogy into your proposed course during the Spring 2009 semester.*** 

The completed application should be submitted electronically as a single document and should include the following:

• this cover sheet (with required signatures);
• proposal narrative (maximum of three pages); and
• past course description and syllabus (can be included as an additional attachment in email).
  

Service Learning Scholar Application

Proposal Narrative Guidelines

In a narrative of no more than three pages, please provide information about your proposed academic Service Learning course, including details pertaining to the following points:

1.       Describe the service-learning component of the course.

          a. What are the student learning objectives of the course?
          b. Ideally, what kind of impact will this project have on students enrolled in this course?
          c. In what capacity will students serve?
          d. What is the ideal enrollment number for this course?

2.      Describe your ideal community partnership.

a. What is the identified community need that students will help meet through community service projects? How do you know this need exists?
b. Do you have a specific nonprofit organization that you would like to work with? If yes, please specify the nonprofit agency. If no, please describe your ideal partnership.
c. In what capacity will your community partner serve?
d. Ideally, what kind of community impact do you hope to make through this course?

3.      Describe the potential reflection component in this course.

a. What kinds of reflection activities (i.e. reading, writing, journaling, presentations) do you think will best capture student learning?
b. How might reflection allow for students to further their understanding and reach the learning objectives for the course?

4.      Describe possible plans for assessment.

a. How will you assess the community service activity?
b. How will you assess student learning that derives from the service-learning experience?

5.      Describe your goals for professional/institutional development.

a. How will this course meet departmental, degree program, or college goals?
b. How will this teaching experience impact your professional goals?

____________________________________________________
Submit the completed application electronically, and send as one document (with course description and syllabus as an additional attachment) to Sally Anastos, Academic Service Learning Specialist, at sanastos@newhaven.edu no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, February 11, 2008.