Office of Community-Based Learning
Contact Us:
- Office of Community-Based Learning
- Scranton, PA 18510
- The ÐÓ°ÉÔ°æ
- cbl@scranton.edu
Office of Community-Based Learning
The Office of Community Based Learning coordinates community based learning activities and provides development and support resources for ÐÓ°ÉÔ°æ faculty through grants, workshops, and curriculum development.
Community Based Learning (CBL) is an academic experience that involves students working with individuals, groups, or organizations in ways structured to meet community-defined needs and student learning outcomes.
Types of CBL include project-based, direct service or research and can occur in a course related assignment, or co-curricular activity, in connection to an academic department or program.
Grounded in Ignatian pedagogy, CBL incorporates integration of theory with practice, direct engagement with community members, faculty-guided personal and critical reflection, and academic analysis. In keeping with the Jesuit, Catholic mission of The ÐÓ°ÉÔ°æ, CBL prepares students to understand common challenges facing humanity, identify systemic problems, and develop a commitment to the common good and their communities, especially those facing poverty, inequality, discrimination, or other forms of marginalization.
Community-Based Research (CBR) is a research partnership between faculty and community organizations, that may include students, which recognizes the unique contributions of each. Research is action-oriented and focused on concerns relevant to the community. There is a reciprocal transfer of knowledge, skills, and capacity to sustain a long-term commitment.
The Office of Community Based Learning works with our community-partner agencies to identify projects that foster mutually beneficial collaborations between the ÐÓ°ÉÔ°æ and the greater Scranton community. Faculty are encouraged to view our list of suggested CBL/CBR options. Contact Debra L. Fetherman, PhD, CBL Faculty Coordinator at debra.fetherman@scranton.edu to review the basics of teaching/leading a CBL course and/or project. Contact either Julie Schumacher Cohen, CBL Chair at julie.cohen@scranton.edu or Daysi Carreto, Assistant Director of Community and Civic Engagement at daysi.carreto@scranton.edu, to learn more about community partnerships.
As Faculty prepare for fall courses, we encourage all to utilize our compilation of CBL Anti-Racism Resources. The page linked below comprises a variety of resources, including from the AJCU network, Campus Compact and other partners, on how to work toward anti-racism in the context of community-based learning and community engagement, including teaching tools, academic articles, and local organizations. This is not a comprehensive list of resources, as we are still learning ourselves. Faculty with suggestions for additional resources, can contact daysi.carreto@scranton.edu to suggest additional resources.