The Service Learning Program promotes and supports different forms of community-based learning for academic credit at New College. Students are placed with community partner organisations that variously address social issues related to their courses or fields of study. Such work experience of several hours per week and assignments that require students to reflect on their learning, can significantly enhance learning and university experience. The Program thus provides students with the opportunity of gaining grounded understandings of social issues and organizational processes, developing critical analytic skills, and deepening theoretical knowledge while, at the same time, making a meaningful contribution to the work of a community organization or social justice initiative on campus. The following models for service learning are available for students:
a) Embedded service learning in NEW courses
Students spend a few weeks in the classroom studying theoretical and other aspects of a topic before undertaking supervised work within a community organisation for a few hours per week, in order to integrate their classroom learning with their experiential learning (E.g. NEW342H Food Security: Theory and Practice). Depending on the course, such service learning course components may be mandatory for all students in the course, or optional for a few students in the class.
b) Independent service learning in the course NEW 495Y, for 1 full credit.
Students from New College, taking New College courses and/or those involved in New College initiatives, who are entering their third or final year, may apply for independent placements with community partner organisations or on-campus social justice initiatives if they have the requisite background. (See below for current opportunities; more will be added over the summer).
Independent service learning students spend 5-7 hours each week on work assigned by placement supervisors, either at the placement site or elsewhere. They are involvin learning about and carrying out aspects of the work of the organisation as it serves community needs, and undertaking specific projects for the host organisation.
Suitable applicants will be interviewed by the host organisation and the New College Service Learning Coordinator. Successful candidates will be enrolled in the NEW 495Y seminar which meets on specified Fridays through the academic year, from 4 p.m – 6 p.m. In the seminar, students read about and discuss key issues in community-based learning, engage in collective reflection on issues that arise in their respective experiences, and receive instruction in the practice of reflective writing. Regular reflection that prompts students to identify and elaborate what they are learning –in relation to relevant course work or critical issues in community engagement, in relation to the development of ethical and social responsibility and clarification of personal values, and in relation to understanding organisational dynamics –is the key academic assignment for NEW495Y. Beyond fostering critical thinking and enhancing knowledge, it is the main means of assessing the quality of students’ learning. In addition to regular reflective writing and participatory seminar discussions, a program of work for assessment and grading will be devised by the academic supervisor in consultation with the community supervisor and the student. Independent service learning students are invited to make presentations about their service learning experience in related New College courses and to a student symposium.
Application Procedure for NEW495Y - First due date Tuesday June 5, 2012
Please write to nc.servicelearning@utoronto.ca for information about available opportunities
Please submit the following documents to nc.servicelearning@utoronto.ca. 1) A covering letter detailing your interest and background relevant to the specific SLP position; 2) a résumé; and 3) ROSI academic history (NOT an official transcript, but copied from ROSI into a word doc). Before submitting, please combine these three documents into a single file with the following email subject line: Name of placement- your name. (E.g. MELAB –Samantha Cho). You may apply for more than one available opportunity, but please tailor your application letters accordingly and submit separate applications for each document.
For further information, contact Linzi Manicom, New College Service Learning Coordinator nc.servicelearning@utoronto.ca. 416 978-8821