Community Engaged Liberal Arts and Sciences

Connecting Classroom Theory with Civic Engagement

CELAS courses bring theory to practice by linking coursework, critical thinking, and engagement activities. A form of experiential learning, CELAS courses allow students to test ideas in the real world and develop creative approaches to social, cultural, and scientific issues. A significant portion of CELAS learning takes place outside of the classroom: students learn through engagement with different geographies, organizations, and programs in the surrounding communities or in collaboration with partners from OSUN. CELAS students and faculty often collaborate with nonprofits, community groups, and government agencies that serve the public interest.

Benefits of Community Engaged Liberal Arts and Sciences Courses

Arizona State University.

CELAS by the Numbers

In 2019, 705 students participated in 55 courses and collaborated with more than 70 community agencies/organizations.

89%

of students report
greater awareness of
community issues
88%

of students say
engagement helped
their learning
88%

of students would take
another CELAS course
91%

of faculty would teach
another CELAS course

Students from Cammie Jones and Deirdre d'Albertis' Women and Leadership course. This literature course works with a range of perspectives that take students closer engage with stories in ways that only they can tell with a focus on outreach to people and organizations with a focus on gender.

For Students

Increases relevant coursework by bringing academic instruction to life.
Develops meaningful involvement with the local and regional communities.
Prepares individuals to participate in internships and research.
Applies concepts from the classroom to their service.
Provides platforms to analyze and discuss civic values.
Allows exploration of career options.
Develops a sense of community and civic responsibility.
Teaches workforce skills.
Increases a sense of self-efficacy, analytical skills and social development.
Develops connections with people of diverse cultures and lifestyles.
Provides opportunities to accommodate different learning styles.

Students in Chris Lindner's Historical Archaeology class working with visiting students from a local middle school to teach and observe archeological field methods at a site located on the Bard College campus.

For Faculty

Enriches and enlivens teaching by providing a new understanding of how learning occurs.
Identifies new areas for research and publication, and thus increases opportunities for professional recognition and reward.
Enhances student learning and teaching qualities.
Increases awareness of current social justice issues as they relate to the academic areas of interest.
Provides opportunities for application of professional expertise and research.
Increases diversity in the classroom by accommodating a wide variety of learning styles.

A moment from the Engaged Citizenship class where students engaged with Speed Networking. Community partners from surrounding towns and the College met with students and listened to their ideas for projects while also talking about the various types of service available to students.

For the Community

Enhances positive relationships with the College.
Provides awareness-building of community issues, agencies and constituents.
Contributes to positive exposure in the community.
Creates ways to expand current services.
Provides opportunities for participating in the educational process.
Develops short and long term solutions to pressing community needs.
Creates ways to expand current services.
Increases human resources for problem solving.
Enriches roles for supervisors.

Leadership

For more information, email us at:

Erin Cannan, Bard College
[email protected]

News

"No Shortcuts": Course Design Workshops Help Faculty Bridge the Gap Between Classroom and Community

Post Date: August 3, 2023