Female Biology – Service
Learning Information
What is
Service Learning?
Service Learning is a pedagogical method that engages students in organized
service activities and guided reflection; the service activities benefit the
client or community and, in combination with reflection, enhance the academic
curriculum of participating students.
In accordance with its Mission*, service learning at the University of San
Francisco promotes interaction with diverse communities and organizations,
in order to help students and faculty develop the knowledge, skills, and sensitivities
to be effective agents of social change. Service learning is distinct from
acts of charity because it is reciprocal; students, faculty, and community
organizations teach and learn through their interactions. Teaching and learning
are informed by the realities of the world, and service is informed by theoretical
and conceptual understanding.
What do I need to do
for this class?
For this class- you are REQUIRED to participate in a minimum of 40 hours of
service work outside of class time by the end of the semester. However, you
must commit to completing 60 hours with your organization - since most health-related
organizations require that as a minimum commitment.
Working in groups, you must choose an organization with which to work.
The organization must be directly related to
women’s health/issues and you must contact them and find out whether or not
they can use your help and if they would be a good “fit” for you. Then, you must report back to me who you
are working with and what your schedule will be (no later than September 11th). Throughout
the semester, you are required to keep a journal of your service experience-
recording what it is you are doing, how it is impacting your learning experience,
and what types of connections you can make between the volunteer work and
the classroom concepts. As a group
we will reflect upon your experience each week throughout the semester.
S-L Paper
At the end of the semester, each student will turn in a paper that summarizes the service learning experience as it relates to specific course content. Additional details will be provided.
Your SL grade
(which comprises 20% of your final grade) will be based upon your performance with the organization, participation in the weekly reflection sessions in class; your
journal and the paper.
Hopefully, you will find
the experience to be something enlightening and worthwhile. The idea is to link your mind (what you are
learning in lecture) to your heart (a true feeling of responsibility towards
others in your community). When working
on difficult women's health issues, you will learn that nothing happens without
dedication and commitment to making the world a better place for women.
Your SL experience will help fulfill
the following course outcomes:
Apply your knowledge in the setting of women's non-profit organizations and health centers for the betterment of women.
You will acquire an awareness of how women deal with issues in a real-world setting.
You will formulate attitudes and self-concepts related to female issues through engaging in hands-on service learning.
You will reflect and report on your service learning experience, connecting lecture material with your service work.
Natazia and Esther: Dress for success - http://www.dressforsuccess.org/
Adam, Rowan and Saba: Haight
Ashbury Free Clinic 487-5638 x123 http://www.hafci.org/volunteer.html