SLR 105 Service Learning I
1 credit
Students will complete at least 30 hours of pre-approved, unpaid service experience in a non-profit organization. The service must be performed in the same semester in which the student is registered for the course. Learning activities that fulfill requirements for other courses or complete degree requirements cannot be used to fulfill the requirements of this course. Students will reflect upon their experience, its current and future impact, and the implications for life-long learning through the writing of reflection papers, other brief writing assignments, the creation of an electronic or photographic portfolio, and a final paper. Students are strongly encouraged to complete the first level course during either their freshmen or sophomore years. A student may repeat SLR 105 no more than four times for credit when the service is performed at a site different than the site where the other credits were performed.
SLR 106, 206, 306 Service Learning I, II, III Mission and Service Trip
1-3 credits
Students will complete pre-approved, unpaid service experience within the context of a University-sponsored mission and service trip. The service must be performed as part of the designated trip experience. The service must be performed in the same semester in which the student is registered for the course, or within the following semester. Students will reflect upon their experience, cross-cultural issues, and relevant social policies. Students will identify the implications for current and future impact upon them through the writing of reflection papers, other brief writing assignments, the creation of an electronic or photographic portfolio, and/or a final paper. Students may enroll in particular sections based upon the designated service experience and location. Levels of credit depend on two factors: the number of hours the students serves (30, 60 or 90) and the level of the learning activities in which the students engage. These courses fulfill the General Education Requirement in Service Learning (SLR 105).
SLR 107 Service Learning for Education (formerly SLR 107, Pittsburgh Project Tutoring)
1 credit
This course is required of all education students. Students will complete at least 30 hours of pre-approved, unpaid service experience in a setting that serves a diverse population. Learning activities that fulfill requirements for other courses or complete degree requirements cannot be used to fulfill the requirements of this course. Students will reflect upon their experience, it’s current and future impact, and the implications for life-long learning through the writing of reflection papers, other brief writing assignments, the creation of an electronic or photographic portfolio, and a final paper. The service must be performed in the same semester in which the student is registered for the course. This course fulfills the General Education Requirement in Service Learning (SLR 105).
SLR 155, 233, 355, or 455 Service Learning Added Credit Option
1 credit
Students may elect to add an additional service learning credit to another course. Students must negotiate with the professor of the other course to add the credit; it is the professor’s option to add the service learning credit. Students will complete at least 30 hours of pre-approved, unpaid service experience in a non-profit organization. Written requirements for the added credit must integrate the learning of the content of the other course with the learning of the service experience. The number of the added credit course will match the level of the other course. The number of the course will depend on not only hours served, but also increasing levels of critical analysis and learning. The service must be performed in the same semester in which the student is registered for the course. These courses fulfill the General Education Requirement in Service Learning. (Offered when interest is expressed and departmental resources permit.)
SLR 205 Service Learning II
2 credits
Students will complete the requirements for SLR 105 in this course. In addition, they will perform an additional 30 hours of community service, for a total of sixty hours, and they will compose an additional research paper that investigates a situation encountered at the service site. This situation may relate to issues of providing service, agency structure and/or funding, individual psychological, sociological and/or public policy causes of the needs that the agency intends to meet, etc. The service must be performed in the same semester in which the student is registered for the course. (Offered when interest is expressed and departmental resources permit.)
SLR 215 Frontiers of Dynamic Leadership
3 credits
This experiential and theoretical course assists students in developing their own aptitude for leadership and applying those skills in concrete situations. The course will explore opportunities for leadership, analyze leadership situations, and develop strategies for effective and persuasive leadership in pursuit of the common good.
SLR 255-455 Service Learning Added Credit Option
1 credit
Students may elect to add an additional service learning credit to another course. Students must negotiate with the professor of the other course to add the credit; it is the professor’s option to add the service learning credit. Students will complete at least 30 hours of pre-approved, unpaid service experience in a non-profit organization. Written requirements for the added credit must integrate the learning of the content of the other course with the learning of the service experience. The number of the added credit course will match the level of the other course. The number of the course will depend on not only hours served, but also increasing levels of critical analysis and learning. The service must be performed in the same semester in which the student is registered for the course. These courses fulfill the General Education Requirement in Service Learning. (Offered when interest is expressed and departmental resources permit.)
SLR 305 Service Learning III
3 credits
Students will complete the requirements for SLR 205 in this course. In addition, they will perform an additional 30 hours of community service, for a total of ninety hours, and they will compose an additional research paper that identifies possible short-term and long-term solutions to the problems identified in the SLR 205 research paper. Students will also make a public, oral presentation of the findings of the research. The service must be performed in the same semester in which the student is registered for the course. (Offered when interest is expressed and departmental resources permit.)
SLR 499. Service Leadership Project
1 or 3 credits
As the title suggests, this course is intended to provide a summative, integrative learning experience for the student who completes the Service Leadership minor program. Course credit is variable according to the student’s academic major program. According to the number of credits completed, the student will invest 30, 60 or 90 hours at a non-profit site that provides the students with a context to engage in research that relates to the student’s academic major. Written coursework will produce applied research that is consistent with the learning objectives of the minor program. A written plan of instruction must be submitted by the student and the professor of record to the Director of Service Learning who must approve the plan. The service must be performed in the same semester in which the student is registered for the course.