Dickinson students in Prof. Cary Cordova's American Studies course, "Workshop in Field Methods," recently launched The Online History Archive for Carlisle, PA.
Students in Prof. Jim Hoefler's Policy Management Senior Seminar produced videos addressing the policy concerns of five local non-profit organizations.
"Judging by student enthusiasm and response, this
course was one of the most successful courses I have ever taught."
—Prof. Wendell Smith, Spanish for the Health Professions
Dickinson's commitment to educate citizen leaders by providing a useful education translates into various opportunities for students to grow into responsible citizens, informed and engaged with the issues facing our world broadly and the local communities in which we live. Useful education encourages students to explore the connections between their course work and the wider world. Service-learning is one way that students encounter and create meaningful connections between their studies and community experience.
Service-learning grows out of a collaborative relationship between a Dickinson faculty member and a community organization. Faculty members align the learning objectives of their courses with the needs of the partnering organization. The course is designed with students providing "service" or engaging in applied research. The community agency and its constituents derive some benefit from the relationship, while the faculty member guides the students to integrate their hands-on experience with the course readings and other assignments.
On this site, you will find out about the range of service-learning opportunities that exist at Dickinson: