Definitions of Courses

In-Action

Humboldt Students in the Community

Humboldt students become involved in surrounding communities in myriad ways, from courses requiring service, student clubs, Youth Educational Services (YES), and research programs, to applying for volunteer and employment opportunities.

See how Service Learning and Academic Internship courses fit into the spectrum of ways in the Humboldt Students Serve in the Community.

Check out the definitions and lists of Service Learning and Academic Internships courses offered in the current semester. Course offerings may change up to three weeks into each semester.

Distinctions

Learn about the difference between Service Learning, Academic Internship, and other types of service for students. Distinctions Among Approaches to Service and Experiential Learning.

Service Learning

What is Service Learning?

• Service Learning students meet together in class with faculty guiding the service experience while integrating curriculum and reflection activities.
• These courses require students, individually or in teams, to conduct anywhere from 15-30+ hours of service, depending on course requirements.
• Courses may be designed and conducted at varying levels to include the following elements...

6 essential elements of service learning courses

1. Student Community Involvement Benefits the Common Good - Community Voice Emphasized: Student community involvement has a specific benefit to the material, cultural, or institutional interests that members of society have in common
2. Academically Relevant Community Involvement – Link to Curriculum: Student community involvement is relevant to and integrated with the discipline-based academic content and assignments.
3. Reciprocal Partnerships - Meaningful Service: Reciprocal partnerships and processes shape the community activities and course design to enhance student understanding of the importance of community learning. 
4. Critical, Systematic Reflection Facilitates Learning: Critical reflection activities and assignments integrate classroom and community learning. 
5. Explicit Civic Learning Goals - Fostering Civic Responsibility: Civic learning goals are articulated and develop students’ capacities to understand and address critical social and environmental issues.
6. Integrated Assessment of Student Learning : Student learning assessment addresses both the discipline-based and civic learning goals and includes learning from community involvement.

For details and a downloadable document, check out Service Learning: Six Essential Elements and Companion to the Six Essential Elements. 

Academic Internships

What are Academic Internships?

• An Academic Internship is a culminating experience that integrates the student's major studies with practical experience at a collaborating organization. Students have the opportunity to gain insight into potential careers, while gaining valuable experience, increasing their professional network, and enhancing their understanding of the curriculum.
• Individual students enroll in an internship course under the guidance of faculty. Some internship courses meet occasionally as a class; other students may conduct the internship independently.
• These courses require the student to conduct anywhere from 60-150+ hours of service, depending on course requirements.
• The emphasis is primarily on the student's academic, professional, as well as personal development; organization goals may also be met.

Learn more about developing Internships at your organization:

• Internship Guide for Community Partners
• U.S. Department of Labor Fact Sheet #71: Internship Programs Under the Fair Labor Standards Act
• Should internships be paid or unpaid? Whenever an agency can afford to pay its interns, that is ideal. However, for groups such as nonprofits that cannot afford to hire a new employee. Here's an article to consider, while keeping in mind the Department of Labor Fact Sheet noted above.