Office of Service Learning

Summer Course Development Stipends

The Office of Service Learning (OSL) invites applications for Summer Course Development Stipends. Up to five stipends will be awarded to fund faculty time and/or resources for projects such as:

• Developing a new course using academically-rigorous service-learning pedagogy
• Transforming an existing course by integrating service-learning pedagogy
• Enhancing significantly the community-based dimensions of an existing service-learning course in collaboration with community partners
• Spearheading a curricular plan for integrating service-learning in a department's or program's core courses or in the major or minor curriculum

The ultimate goal of the program is to integrate academically-rigorous service-learning pedagogy for the enhancement of student learning in relation to the goals of the strategic plan, the University mission, and the values of liberal education in the Jesuit tradition. While applications from full-time faculty will have priority in the selection process, applications from adjunct faculty will be considered based on evidence of long-term commitment to the institution.

Selection criteria include:

• Integration of service experience with credit-bearing learning activities to strengthen student learning of disciplinary and course concepts
• Integration of reflection throughout course, and in collaboration with community partner(s)
• Integration of civic education with course content and service components
• Intentionality toward increasing student diversity awareness and skills
• Potential for measurable impact on identified community needs or problems
• Rigor of methods for evaluating student learning outcomes and community impact
• Commitment to community partnership building and collaboration in teaching & learning
• Commitment to accompanying students in service or community-based research, or incorporating more advanced students as peer mentors or project leaders
• Commitment to make the project and scholarship public
• Commitment to participate in a co-mentoring group (CMG) with other stipend awardees and members of the Service Learning staff and/or Advisory Committee

Recipients are awarded a stipend of $2000 for summer and an additional $1500 for participation in a year-long co-mentoring group (CMG) related to the course and to service learning. In addition, recipients are expected to showcase their course and outcomes in a future OSL or CAE workshop, and are encouraged to present at a teaching or disciplinary conference and submit a manuscript for scholarly publication.

For more about the Office of Service Learning and resources for faculty, see our website and/or contact Robbin Crabtree, faculty Director of Service Learning at rcrabtree@mail.fairfield.edu.

Download Application: Office of Service Learning Summer Course Development Stipends

Timeline for summer course development stipends:

This timeline reflects the time, care, and coordination with the community that are necessary for the development of sound service-learning experiences in relation to the best practices literature.

Summer 2008 - Community partnership building; at least 2 meetings of recipients

Fall 2008 - Submit syllabi to SL advisory committee to get SL designation; new courses also should be submitted to appropriate curriculum committees for approval

Fall 2008 - at least 2 meetings of recipients

Existing courses may be taught fall '08 or spring '09

New courses taught in spring 2009

Spring '09 - at least 2 meetings of recipients

Office of Service Learning staff and Advisory Committee members are available to work closely with faculty throughout the application, development, implementation, and assessment of projects.

We expect to be involved with you in developing community partnerships for your course, in managing course logistics (e.g., transportation), and in helping you facilitate the critical reflection, civic learning, and personal growth of your students. Co-Mentoring Groups, made up of recipients, will meet regularly to discuss their courses, select and review bibliographic resources in support of course development, and share reflections and feedback.

Contact Melissa Quan mquan@mail.fairfield.edu or Robbin Crabtree rcrabtree@mail.fairfield.edu

Notes: Given the number of other course development funding sources at Fairfield University (e.g., Ignatian Residential College, Center for Academic Excellence, etc.), and our desire to spread resources widely and fairly, it would be expected that applicants would accept only one course development per project and only one similar stipend for a given academic year.

It is expected that faculty who receive the Office of Service Learning Summer Course Development Stipend would teach no more than one (1) course during the summer of the award.