Curricular Engagement
Why This Matters
Intentional integration of community engagement into the curriculum enhances student learning. Community engagement is a meaningful pedagogical approach that advances educational outcomes and the public good. When engagement is integrated into academic work, it connects theory to practice. Service-learning and other forms of curricular engagement link academic content to real-world contexts and support civic responsibility. By embedding engagement across disciplines and assessing its impacts on students and communities, institutions demonstrate that engagement is central to learning rather than supplemental.
Standards for Practice
- Course Integration
- Embed community engagement and service learning in courses across disciplines and curricular requirements.
- Document service-learning course designation, type, and enrollment data.
- Service Learning Outcomes
- Assess and evaluate service-learning courses for students, campus, and community impact.
- Curricular-Related Experiences for Community Engagement
- Integrate community engagement into curricular experiences such as student research, internships, career exploration, study abroad, and alternative breaks.
- Systematically document curricular experiences that support community Engagement in the KU Community Check Box.
Resources for Implementing the Standards
- Engaged KU Community Check Box - Use the strategic dashboard to document curricular experiences that support engagement.
- Center for Service Learning - Hub for service-learning course support, community partner connections, and faculty development.
- Campus Compact Syllabi Library - A repository of hundreds of courses that integrate community-engaged learning across a wide range of disciplines and issue areas.
- Service-Learning Course Designation - Information on how to designate a course as service learning by CSL. The site includes a list of course components, a service-learning course submission form and course examples from KU instructors and students. research.
- Designated Service Learning Courses - Current listings of service-learning courses to connect students with engagement opportunities.
- Center for Undergraduate Research - Find research mentors, apply for funding, and present work at symposiums across all fields.
- Office of Graduate Studies - Learn about preferred practices for incorporating graduate students in your research and identify mentorship agreements.
Resources from the Community Tool Box
Explore these resources from the Community Tool Box