Special Topics Series for Community Engaged Learning Practitioners

ATTENTION: Faculty, Academic Staff, and Instructors, new or experienced with community engaged learning

Spring 2023

 

Coming Into Consciousness: Rethinking Community Engagement in the Wake of Pandemics

  • Location: Zoom
  • Date: Wednesday, March 1st from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Registration Deadline: February 28th 2023
  • Register for this Session

 

Please join the Center for Community Engaged Learning and University Outreach and Engagement in welcoming Dr. Tania D. Mitchell as special guest speaker. Informed by the stewardship and activism that has guided the formation and ongoing work at the intersection of 38th and Chicago in South Minneapolis where George Floyd's life was taken in May of 2020, this talk explores the possibility for a redefinition and new approach to partnerships in community-engaged work. Centering community voice, strategies for mutual aid, and a commitment to social justice, Mitchell considers how higher education community engagement can be an active contributor to building more just and equitable futures.

 

 

The following sessions will be offered in the Spring of 2023 to discuss academic community engaged learning at MSU.

 

Hooked on Community Engaged Learning

 

Join fellow community-engaged faculty-practitioners for some snacks, socializing and syllabus-shaping! This session will provide time to explore effective tools for course design planning and provide working time to put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard). Connect with Center for Community Engaged Learning staff and colleagues from across campus to ask questions and brainstorm as you shape or enhance community engaged learning experiences with your students.

These sessions are offered in the Spring of 2023 as a part of the Center for Community-Engaged Learning Special Topics Series for community-engaged learning practitioners to discuss academic community engaged learning at MSU.

Community Engaged Learning is a teaching and learning strategy that integrates meaningful community partnerships with instruction and critical reflection to enrich the student learning experience, teach civic and social responsibility, and strengthen communities. Implementation strategies range from direct service to advocacy to research to philanthropy, and more! Sessions will focus on course design examples, community partnerships, developing syllabi, managing logistics, orienting students to enter a community with knowledge of identity, equity, and privilege, and highlight diverse reflection strategies. Through presentation and discussion, attendees will learn how to get started or enhance what they are already doing and connect to a network of peers and resource supports. All sessions will include recommendations for virtual formatting for community engaged learning courses.

Contact Michelle Snitgen at msnitgen@msu.edu or Stephanie Brewer at sbrewer@msu.edu for questions regarding the Special Topics sessions or for individual/small group consultation on resources for designing a community engaged learning experience connected to course(s) or curriculum.

Past Sessions

Getting Started: Support for Community-Engaged Learning at MSU

This session will discuss the support that the Center for Community Engaged Learning (CCEL) can provide to instructors in developing and enhancing course-based community-engaged learning opportunities for students. The gathering will include networking time for participants to connect with each other and share current and/or future project plans.

The Virtual Experience: Expand the Possibilities for Community Engaged Learning

This session will highlight formatting options for community engaged learning in the virtual setting. Join your colleagues for a discussion of opportunities and challenges, implications for community partnerships, and examples of successful practice.  

Shaping the Future: A Planning Session for Community Engaged Learning

Choose a tool or two and devote time to planning. This session will outline and provide effective tools for course design planning and provide working time to put pen to paper (or rather fingers to keyboard). Connect with Center for Community Engaged Learning staff and colleagues from across campus to ask questions and brainstorm as you shape or enhance community engaged learning experiences for your students in your very own virtual breakout room.

Exploring the Social Change Wheel: Working Toward Anti-Racism, Equity, and an Expanded Definition of Community-Engaged Learning

In this workshop we will discuss definitions, tools, and resources related to the Social Change Wheel. Expand your definition of community-engaged learning through exploration of campus and community-based implementation strategies, which have anti-racism, equity, and community partnerships at their core.

Democratic Engagement: Supporting Students as Engaged Citizens

This session will highlight democratic engagement and methods for including this community engaged learning strategy into your course experience. The session will include immediate takeaways for implementation this semester, as well as tools for designing future coursework.

Community Conversations: The Elements of Community Partnerships

This session will discuss elements of strong partnerships to effectively co-create community engaged learning opportunities for students. Hear examples of successful faculty/community partnerships, discuss considerations for initiating and sustaining partnerships, and explore resources to assist you in partnership development or enhancement.

The Community Engaged Learning Student Experience

This session will help practitioners think through the community engaged learning experience from the student perspective. What are the benefits and challenges for our students, and what is our responsibility as practitioners to ensure students are prepared? How can we really work toward a transformative learning experience?

Creating or Refining Your Community-Engaged Learning Syllabus

This session will discuss elements of designing a syllabus to outline the community-engaged learning experience and requirements, highlight community partnership, and build in reflection opportunities. We will draw from sample syllabi, templates, and peer testimonials to assist instructors in shaping plans for future courses.

Community Engaged Learning in the Classroom: Rubrics, Reflections, and Resources

This session will discuss creative examples, strategies for grading, and best practices for leading students to reflect upon and make meaning of their community-engaged learning experiences. Hear from faculty peers, dialogue with colleagues, and leave with new ideas to enhance student learning and complement your teaching practices.