Community-Based Learning
Community-Based Learning (CBL) is a teaching and learning tool that many instructors integrate into their courses to help students deepen their educational and professional development. Depending on the class, students have the opportunity to connect learning objectives to volunteer opportunities with community partners, along with reflection assignments that allow students to highlight the lessons gained from their experiences. Through meaningful community engagement, students are able to advance their individual, civic, and social responsibility skills, in addition to building professional tools and relationships. This empowering educational model truly helps students become change agents.
Cooperative Education – Beyond CBL, students can expand their experiences and gain course credit by setting up internships with community partners. From 30 hours (1 credit) to 90 hours (3 credits), students can build their social capital and strengthen their college, scholarship, and job applications by signing up for SOC 280A Cooperative Education classes. To learn more, check out PCC’s Co-op Ed / Internships Program and contact Andrew Butz at abutz@pcc.edu.
The CBL student experience also offers opportunities to build friendships and make a difference, as clear in this photo of PCC and PSU students working together at a SOLVE Park Clean-Up, at Kelley Point Park.
Students say…
- I’m glad my sociology class got me to start volunteering. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do yet I needed a bit of a push!
- I wasn’t working on something that felt familiar and comfortable, I was in the process of learning completely new skills while at the same time applying them to my real life. I couldn’t have asked for a more rewarding and challenging academic experience.
- This project has made me want to pursue my interests because I have gained confidence that I can and will do excellent things by virtue of my passion for them.
- This project has shown me how important it is to go out and become a part of the community and in doing so has provided me with an invaluable opportunity to gain real-world knowledge that no textbook can teach.
- This experience changed my life.
These instructors use CBL in their courses
To find a CBL Sociology course, email any of the above instructors, or check the PCC course offerings for classes with the CBL designation in the course notes.
For more information, visit the Community-Based Learning website.