COMMUNITY SERVICE LEARNING MINOR

The Minor in Community Service Learning offers students a unique program of study which fosters reflection and learning about the complexity of the social, economic, political, and cultural world. Through the minor, students learn to connect interdisciplinary course materials to experience in the community, to combine theory and practice, and to think in original ways about the substantive problems in society. Studies in the minor provide experiences in which critical habits of mind can develop through observation, exploration, and action-oriented research in a multicultural setting. Through community service learning, the students can explore connections between various disciplines, develop the tools for critical analysis of community issues, learn from experience as well as text, and contribute to the Worcester community.

Requirements:

The Community Service Learning (CSL) minor requires a minimum of six (6) courses. In addition, volunteer service is required. Introductory Course: ENG/SOC 225 Literature of Social Responsibility Elective Courses: Four (4) courses taken from at least three (3) disciplines, including one course in theology or philosophy, using the following guidelines:

Minimum of two (2) courses with CSL designation (this may include one (1) internship or practicum);
Courses focusing on social issues. [Examples include: ECO 210 Economics of Women and the Family, ENG 387 African American Literature, HIS 250 Colonial Latin American History, IDS 250 Individual Income Tax Assistance, POL 325 Urban Politics, and SOC 206 Sociology of Urban Life.] Electives must be approved by the CSL Faculty Director. Capstone Course: ENG/SOC 425 Seminar in Service Learning Volunteer Service: A minimum of 60 hours of documented volunteer service not connected to class work.

For further information, contact Dr. Susan Melia, director of CSL (smelia@assumption.edu or (508) 767- 7357), or Wendy O’Leary, coordinator of CSL placements (wleary@assumption.edu or (508) 767- 7652).

Did you Know?

Members of the Class of 2006 interned at more than 120 corporations, nonprofit organizations and schools.