Faculty Checklist for Integrating Community Engagement
Brainstorming
1. Review the Key Elements of Good Course Syllabi
• Definition of and rationale for service learning and community engagement
• Information about service site selection or assignments
• Course expectations (competencies, objective hours, dates and deadlines, reflection, grading or evaluation)
• Consistent and frequent references to service learning and responsibility
2. Schedule a one-on-one discussion with the Office of Community Engagement staff to learn about Community Engagement options, models, and resources specific to your course. Email the office at engagement@bhcc.mass.edu to set a time or just come by B-211A.
3. Review sample syllabi for ideas
4. Review current models sampled from other BHCC courses.
Community Partnerships
5. Identify service activities or issues that relate to your learning objectives. What do you want your students to be doing? Is there a social issue, i.e. homelessness that you want to your students to be exploring? Review pre-screened organizations provided by Office staff.
6. Ask the Office to recommend a list of possibilities or identify community needs via your own professional contacts.
7. Consider inviting organization or community representatives to visit your class. They love to talk with students!
8. Explore Opportunity Pages for possible organizations to work with.
Develop the Syllabus
9. Explain the service activity and learning objective(s) of the service in the syllabus.
10. Link the service to course content.
11. Use writing assignments, discussion topics, readings, presentations, and other activities listed in the syllabus as connections to service.
12. Describe how students will be assessed on the experience, and clearly explain due dates for selecting an organization and serving.
13. Fill out a Community Engagement Proposal Form and return to the Office of Community Engagement. A community engagement course development stipend will be processed with the proposal form.
14. Talk about the service experience on the first day of class.
15. Have students begin reflecting on service experience prior to the experience. This will help them to see their own progression throughout the course and service experience.
16. Students need reminders for deadlines for contacting organization and having agreements signed.
17. Evaluate student service activities using frequent methods of formally assessing student progress.
18. Implement reflective assignments and activities throughout the semester. Discuss the service in class even if you are using an optional Service Learning model. Students who choose not to participate in the experience will still gain insights and knowledge from the comments of students who do participate.
19. Have students complete post service reflection activities.