Syllabus

Title
4850 Service Learning II
Instructors
Dr. Manuel Scholz-Wäckerle
Contact details
manuel.scholz-waeckerle@wu.ac.at
Type
FS
Weekly hours
1
Language of instruction
Englisch
Registration
02/01/23 to 02/24/23
Registration via LPIS
Notes to the course
Subject(s) Master Programs
Service Learning II
Dates
Day Date Time Room
Friday 03/10/23 01:00 PM - 03:00 PM D4.0.127
Friday 03/31/23 01:00 PM - 03:00 PM Online-Einheit
Friday 04/14/23 01:00 PM - 03:00 PM Online-Einheit
Friday 05/12/23 01:00 PM - 03:30 PM Online-Einheit
Thursday 06/15/23 09:00 AM - 12:00 PM D2.0.030
Friday 06/16/23 01:00 PM - 04:00 PM D4.0.127

On this page:

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Contents

Service Learning II continues where Service Learning I stopped in the first semester. Students realize their project in summer term.

The course bridges theory and practice in the context of the social ecological transformation. Students are encouraged to use their creativity, experiences and knowledge in order to develop their own particular transformation project in the Austrian context. The project shall have an interdisciplinary fundament in theoretical perspective and shall work within a science-society interface in practical terms. The transmission and persistence of a progressive approach to the social ecological transformation shall get achieved and enhanced via dynamic stakeholder dialogues, opening as well as enabling of public discourses on transforming social ecological relations, emergence of novel institutions, meso units, collectives or assemblages as well as education for sustainable development.

The course will deconstruct a holistic understanding of the social ecological transformation in its economic, ecological, social, cultural and political sphere in practice. It offers students the opportunity to understand different perspectives of sustainability via an experience based learning approach/service learning method.

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Learning outcomes

Students understand the context-dependent dynamics between theory and practice as well as emergent institutions, meso untis, collectives or assemblages within the framework of the  social ecological transformation. They are able to explain central cornerstones of inter-and transdiscipliarity, science-society interfaces, education for sustainable development and are able to develop a service learning project dealing with a particular sustainability challenge in the greater realm of the  social ecological transformation.

Further learning outcomes:

-    Critical understanding and holistic perspective on the concept of social ecological transformation

-    Students not only learn from the experience of the service alone, but by reflection on and creating meaning from the experience

-    Students involvement in the community is encouraged, networking is fostered

-    Individual personality development

-    Communication and group skills

-    Complexity awareness, problem analysis, critical thinking and cognitive development

-    Real life experience contributes to professional/career development

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Attendance requirements

group-based coaching with lecturer, individual appointments and meetings during the semester

Notice of Special Regulation for Covid-19: If a student is required to quarantine, or is otherwise prevented from attending class, due to a certified case of Covid-19 infection or a federally mandated Covid-19 lockdown, and this affects either attendance or the completion of an exam or other required course assignment, the course instructor is empowered to provide an alternative means for said student to meet the attendance/assessment requirement as necessary. The same means will be required of any student in the same situation in the same course.

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Teaching/learning method(s)

The method of service learning or learning by engagement represents a distinctive form of experiential learning. It represents one of the most promising methods promoting eduction for sustainability as it is an alternative teaching approach where students are confronted with real-world problems and try to find solutions cooperating with partners such as communities, NGOs and companies. Service Learning integrates a service activity into academic curricula and is based on the concept of “learning by doing”. Students learn and develop through engaging in concrete projects by meeting the needs of communities and making personal experiences, embedded in an academic learning environment where they can reflect upon their actions.

Service learning fosters autonomous operation of students to address a problem or need in society. Students shall design particular solution concepts for urban challenges in the local area.

Coaching includes four phases - "Preparation, Action, Reflection and Evaluation" and will be supported via the lecturers.

The particular format of the course trains amongst others problem-solving skills, conflict resolution skills, networked thinking, teamwork and organization skills.

 

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Assessment

- Consolidation of previous Group Project Report (20%)

- Realization of the Service Learning Project - Documentation (50%)

- Final Group Service Learning Poster (30%)

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Readings

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Last edited: 2023-02-20



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