Community-Engaged Learning is one of four options to fulfill the remaining 8 World Engagement credits of the General Education Program.
Community-Engaged Learning is "a teaching and learning strategy that integrates meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach civic responsibility, and strengthen communities." (National Service Learning Clearinghouse) Courses with a CEL designation strive to address community-identified needs through collaborative partnerships and service; deepen learning, teaching, and scholarship through service; and foster the growth and development of active, engaged citizens.
Community-Engaged Learning-designated courses at Willamette University meet the following criteria:
- The service meets or addresses a community-defined need.
- The service experiences are incorporated in course learning objectives.
- Students carry out at least 10 hours of service per semester, regardless of credit assigned.
- The course provides structured opportunities for guided reflection.
- At least 15% of the course grade is based on assignments that link the service to academic content of the course (rather than having an hour requirement that rests "on-top" of a pre-existing course structure).