Service-Learning Course Designation
What Is "S-Designation?"
Effective November 2007, instructors who utilize service-learning as an instructional strategy are encouraged to apply for "S-Designation" of their course(s). A single section of a course or the entire course can be eligible for this designation. For example, the Department of Government may have POL 101 (Introduction to American Government) and POL 101S (Introduction to American Government, Service-Learning).
Why Apply For The "S-Designation?"
By identifying service-learning courses with the "S" designation, students interested in service-learning will be able to seek out such courses and the University will be able to track participation in service-learning for strategic planning purposes.
What Qualifies A Course As Service-Learning At EKU?
In order to be eligible for approval a course must meet all of the criteria:
- Incorporate an experiential educational activity that is connected to academic content and is clearly described in the syllabus;
- Involve a service activity that meets an identified community need that students participate in, with a clear description of how the community need is or will be determined;
- Include reflective assignments that facilitates the connection between practice and theory and fosters critical thinking;
- Require students to participate in 5 hours of community service per credit hour (e.g. 15 hours for a 3 credit hour course) over the semester.
How To Apply For The "S-Designation"
- Download and complete the Service-Learning Designation Application
form. Click here to download the form
in MicroSoft Word format. [last form update: August, 2008]
- Complete the form and send it via e-mail along with a sample
syllabus to: adm.servicelearning@eku.edu.
The form will be forwarded for review to the EKU Service-Learning
Committee. The application will be reviewed within 30 days from
the date of submittal by the committee and the applicant will be notified
of its status.
- If approved, the application must move forward for approval
by the individual's specific college and then through the process
to the EKU Council on Academic Affairs for a change to the course
prefix & number. This process varies by each college
and is the responsibility of the applicant.
Once a course is approved it may be designated as a service-learning course the following semester. It is the applicant's responsibility to submit language for the EKU Undergraduate or Graduate Catalog that explains the S-designated course.
The Service-Learning Committee will do everything possible to assist the department in expediting this process. Please feel free to contact the committee chair(s) or VISTA member for assistance or feedback at servicelearning@eku.edu.
Courses approved by the EKU Service-Learning Committee for QEP-funded grants will be considered pre-approved for S-designation and the grant recipients need not submit a second application for S-designation to the Committee. They should proceed through the normal curriculum process for course approval to have the S-designation recognized by the University.
Applicants are required to obtain their department chair's approval and signature on the application form before submittal.
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