Service Learning Program
Mission
The Service Learning Program, a one-unit
course, is meant to enrich the experience of a DHC student
by promoting a sense of civic responsibility and allowing
the student to pursue study beyond the confines of the classroom.
The purpose is to engage students in thoughtfully organized
service that meets the needs of their communities. The nature
of the project should prepare the student for practical
community-based problem solving while enhancing critical
thinking, communication and team building.
How the Program Works
The Service Learning Coordinators facilitate student connections
with community organizations to develop possible service
learning projects. Once an organization is identified, the
students will work with the organization to clarify what
their needs are and determine how they can best use the
assistance of DHC students. These projects will take a problem-oriented
approach in that DHC students will be working with the organization
to solve a problem they are facing, rather than simply volunteering
for the organization. The basic idea is that these projects
are not the typical service projects of working in a soup
kitchen, tutoring, or picking up litter. Our projects will
differ in that they will call upon the student to apply
her or his critical thinking, communication, and team building
skills.
Students will register for 1 unit of HNR 98. Since the number
of projects will be limited, students will be working in
small groups. Along with their group and the community organization,
students will determine actual tasks to be accomplished
as well as meeting times and meeting places outside of class.
The benefits for the student are that they will become deeply
involved in one organization and will possibly have the
option of continuing that involvement. Also, the service
learning experience will allow students to clarify their
career and/or educational goals. To assist in this, students
will complete bi-weekly journals and other short assignments.
These assignments will allow students to reflect on their
progress throughout the quarter, and will be useful when
completing the end-of-the-quarter presentations.
Current
SLP Info
Learn about recent
year's projects
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