1. Experiences in Barry University’s Theology Courses Lessons Learned in Service-Learning

2. What is Service-Learning? A teaching and learning strategy Meaningful service + coursework + critical reflection Enrich the learning experience Foster civic responsibility Strengthen community

3. Service-Learning Methods: Learning Communities Learning Community 1: Individual Choice Diverse choice of community partnerships Generic reflection activities Broad array of experiences to share Learning Community 2: Project One community partner Deliverable: survey, art project, marketing material, etc. Deeper understanding and relationship with partner Learning Community 3: Theme Short list of partners centered around a theme Different approaches to the theme Classroom materials, integration, discussion

4. Service-Learning Methods: Classroom Integration Orientation Day – invite community partner representatives to the classroom Materials – documentaries, articles, chapters or whole books Reflections – Discussion: ABC (Affect, Behavior, Cognition) Writing Assignments: final paper or series of reflection papers Social Analysis – deep and broad understanding of issues Journals – documenting student responses / reactions Presentations: group or individual on connections between service and course content Community partners have been invited in the past

5. What does it look like? Students completed 10 hours across the opportunities provided per course and had to complete a final paper integrating their experiences with classroom material. Courses integrated additional material relevant to each theme, including: a supplementary book, research and scholarly articles, and documentaries. In class orientation and reflections were also conducted. Theme:Gang Violence Theme: Sexuality Theme: Immigration Partnership Opportunities: - Walking 1 Stop - Juvenile Detention Mentoring - School-to-Prison Reading Program Partnership Opportunities: - Human Trafficking Hotel Outreach - LGBTQ Safe Space Accompaniment Partnership Opportunities: - Coalition of Immokalee Workers - Citizenship Clinics - Immigration Detention Center Visitation

7. Hurdles to Overcome Timing Student and community partner schedules Opportunities available during evenings, days, and weekends Flexible community partner schedules Transportation Separate lists of opportunities with and without transportation provided Coordination with other campus offices (CCSI, CSI) Apathy Service as another “text” for the course Service that is interesting, unique, challenging Planning Opportunities, logistics, and assignments should be set-up prior to the start of the course

8. Three Lessons Learned Thematic service-learning in two theology courses at Barry: an Introductory Theology course and a Sexual Ethics course Service Learning = Experiential Learning Lab Choose themes that are integrally related to subject matter Intro: Gang Violence Sexual Ethics: Sex Trafficking and Sexual Orientation Take the Experiential Learning Out of the Ordinary Choose placement sites that students usually can’t access Intro: Walking One-Stops, Juvenile Detention Center, Tutoring Sexual Ethics: South Beach and Motel Outreach, Pridelines Center Don’t Outsource Service-Learning Continue to engage personally or professionally in themes/sites