Service-Learning Programs
About
Three hours will change your life.
Service-learning is a form of experience-based education where students engage in service as part of their academic course work.
Freshman students have the rare opportunity to enroll in a two course sequence that allows students to stay with the same faculty member, peers and community partner for the entire academic year.
Upperclass students have the opportunity to enroll in the direct service courses, project-based courses, immersive courses and internships with local and international Service-learning community partners.
What is Service-Learning?
A service-learning class combines academics with experience and reflection. Lectures, texts and tests are enhanced by weekly service engaging schools and non-profit agencies that are making a difference in the Philadelphia area. Topics such as poverty, AIDS, violence, mental illness and racism are explored both in the classroom and in the community.
Service-Learning and Jesuit Values
The Service-Learning Program at Saint Joseph's University is based in the Ignatian Tradition. In our courses this perspective is actualized by five core criteria seeking to foster a commitment to developing the whole person of conscience, competence and compassion.
Types of Service-Learning Classes
First Year, Sophomore, Junior and Senior students of all majors are eligible to register for service-learning classes. You must be willing to commit three hours per week to an organization that we will help you select for your class. Contact the Faith-Justice Institute to find out which service-learning classes are being offered each semester or read about SLR in Health, Incarceration and Global Communities.
Service-Learning Courses
Service-learning courses can be relationship-based, project based or immersion based. All have meaningful commitments designed throughout the semester with a local community partner organization. Community-based work will be integrated with course content and reflection.
Service-Learning Resources and Courses
First Year Student Service-Learning
First-Year Student Service-Learning Information
If you are interested in enrolling in a First Year Student Service-Learning Course please contact the instructor or Ann Marie Keffer at ajursca@sju.edu.
Semester-Long Service-Learning
Semester-Long Service Learning Course Information
Upperclass students have the opportunity to enroll in the direct service courses, project-based courses, immersive courses and internships with local and international service-learning community partners.
International Service-Learning Opportunities
Service-Learning Study Abroad
The Center for International Programs offers a variety of Saint Joseph's-approved experiential study abroad opportunities including six programs with Service-Learning opportunities. A complete listing is here or you can search on the Center for International Programs search page.
Study Tours
The student study tours offered by The Faith-Justice Institute in collaboration with the Center for International Programs are full-semester academic courses which include an immersion (10-14 days or 1 month) in a foreign country. Each course examines faith and social justice issues pertaining to the particular area of study as well as reflective and informed experience in a host country.
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Theology 368 – STR and IHS 368 – STR
A Faith-Justice Academic Immersion Experience Study Tour: Nicaragua
Socially induced needs are a result of a historical development of material and social conditions coupled with a social consensus that some things are necessary for happiness, social life, or some other goal. In American society certain needs are considered a necessity. Most Americans would agree with this, although it is clear that societies have survived and often flourished without these necessary goods. However, many societies lack the wealth and infrastructure to supply these goods to the majority of their people. Adequate health care is not only a need of every person, it is a fundamental right that all persons deserve. The principle of justice demands an equitable distribution of health care resources that is adequate for the restoration and preservation of health for all members of humanity. This basic and adequate health care may be called humane insofar as it protects the dignity of every individual person. Just Health Care in Developing Nations examines the issue of just health care for all peoples from both a public health perspective and an ethical perspective.
For further information, please contact Ann Marie Jursca Keffer at 610-660-1337 or ajursca@sju.edu or Fr. Peter Clark, SJ at 610-660-1465 or pclark@sju.edu.
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This course examines violence and reconciliation in Northern Ireland through the mediums of literature and writing, while paying special attention to both the socio-historical roots of “The Troubles” and the moral context of discourses of retribution and forgiveness. The literature analyzed in this course will give voice to those who have experienced the troubles in non-fictional and fictional accounts.
Primary hosts for the immersion is the Corrymeela Community.
For more information contact: Jill Amitrani Welsh at jamitran@sju.edu.
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THE 358 focuses on the Jesuit mission in Latin America and highlights the Jesuit and Indigenous traditions and Liberation Theology.
- Course occurs in Spring semester with an academic immersion in Bolivia.
- Students will visit public schools administered by Fe y Alegria, the largest Jesuit organization in the country.
- No Spanish is required, but recommended.
Student Leaders
The service-learning program has leadership positions which assist community partners, service-learning students and service-learning faculty. In the Jesuit spirit of cura personalis (care of the whole person) student leaders work in intentional community and are supported and challenged to develop personally and professionally.
Placement Liaisons
The Placement Liaison pilot program brought together four students over the summer and fall of 2008 to help foster personal relationship with our Service Learning Community Partners.
The main job responsibilities of the Placement Liaisons are:
- Work out of an intentional, faith based community
- Act as a liaison between the Service-Learning Community Partners, Service-Learning students, and the Faith-Justice Staff
- Foster new relationships with Community Partner Organizations
- Deepen long-standing relationships with Community Partner Organizations
- Work with students on any service or logistical concerns
Current Placement Liaison Facts:
- Seven Placement Liaisons
- Attend trainings and retreats throughout the year
- Work with freshmen and semester-long classes
- Responsible for working with approximately 8 Community Partner Organizations
- Meet weekly for supervision with Placement Coordinator
- Participate in weekly Placement Liaison community staff meeting
For further information, contact:
Ms. Danielle Critelli
Community Partnerships Administrator
Email: dcritell@sju.edu
Phone: 610-660-1334
Service Scholars
Service Scholars are student employees hired after their freshman year-long service-learning course. The position is held for the following three years.
The main job responsibilities of the Service Scholar position are:
- Work out of an intentional, faith based community
- Act as a liaison between the service-learning classes and Faith-Justice Institute
- Facilitate classroom discussions, read & respond to journals, blackboard or fieldnotes
- Work with students on any service or logistical concerns
- Plan and participate in reflection dinners
Current Service Scholar Facts:
- Twelve Service Scholars
- Attend trainings and retreats throughout the year
- Work with freshmen and semester-long classes
- Meet weekly for supervision with Assistant Director
- Participate in weekly scholar community staff meeting
For further information, contact:
Jill Amitrani-Welsh
Assistant Director
Phone: 610-660-1765
E-mail: jamitran@sju.edu