How we connect courses to community partners:
1. Identify courses that could have student learning goals enhanced through community-based learning.
2. Identify community partners, projects, and/or specific positions in the community that would match appropriately.
3. Contact the faculty to discern if they too think community-based learning would enhance their student’s learning and experiences for that course.
4. Provide faculty with some initial ideas on community partners that have identified a need(s) relevant to the course subject and learning goals that would conducive to a mutually beneficial relationship.
5. Contact you, the community partner, to see if the course content, learning goals, class timing and expectations of the students are in congruence with what you need, what the populations you serve need, and if you have the interest and capacity to take on community-based learners.
6. Connect all participants through our database Expo
As we prepare for each academic quarter, the office of Community-Based Learning and Research is in close communication with faculty members who are interested in incorporating community-based learning into their curriculum. Depending on the faculty member’s preference, community-based learning can either be an optional or required component of their class and can vary in assignment to complete 15-40 hours. As these classes are confirmed, they are posted under CBLR Courses. If you see a class that seems like a good fit, you have questions about, or you are interested in being matched with, please contact our office and we can talk more in detail about that potential connection.
Some faculty might be more interested in working with community partners if you identify the course and express to them the connections you feel can be made.
If you have time for more intensive research on what courses are coming up feel free to check out our campus wide schedule of upcoming courses. You may see connections and opportunities we might not. To find the campus wide list go to: http://www.washington.edu/students/crscatb/