Service Learning Courses

Service learning courses offer students an opportunity to bring excitement and passion to undergraduate education. What are the issues that matter most to you?

• Sustainable environments, including water issues, air pollution, traffic and public health issues?
• Public education in Los Angeles, including policy issues around K-12 issues or access to higher education?
• Health care in Los Angeles County, including the local agenda concerning preventative care as well as preparations for the H1N1 virus?

Take your pick, but become part of a new generation of active, civically engaged college students who participate in public life.

One person can make a difference, but groups of students can make an even bigger difference.

Service learning courses are offered through a variety of UCLA departments and are open to all students. Some courses include direct service (e.g. tutoring and mentoring) while others emphasize research as service (e.g. community-based research on the environment or public health). Examples include:

• Barrio Service Learning (CHICANO 100SL); offered fall and spring
• Civic Engagement and the Public Use of Knowledge (CE 163 SL)
• Critical Reading and Writing (ENGL 4WS); two sections during fall
• Client-Based Program Evaluation (CE 105SL)
• Restoring Civility: Understanding, Using and Resolving Conflict (EDUC M145A/B or CHICANO 174 A/B); cross-listed with Education and Chicano/a Studies

Service learning is a method whereby students learn and develop through active participation in thoughtfully organized service within the community. Service learning fosters civic responsibility and integrates it into the academic curriculum.

Examples of community partners connected to service learning courses include:

• AIDS Project LA
• IDEPSCA: day laborers projects and much more
• Local schools, including the new UCLA Community School, Jefferson High School, Hamilton High School, Mark Twain Middle School and other public schools
• Venice Family Clinic and other health care organizations
• Self-help legal clinics throughout Los Angeles County
• Twenty different non-profits serving older adults throughout Los Angeles County

Community partners are pre-screened and chosen in advance by faculty members, often with consultation from the Center for Community Learning.

Students typically work at a site 3-4 hours per week, and the meaningful work taking place off campus is connected to graded assignments and oral or written reflection opportunities during class.