ARTS EXP+ Experiential Learning Beyond the Classroom

On July 1, 2020, CSL and other Faculty of Arts initiatives that support experiential learning opportunities for students came together to form a new administrative structure - Arts EXP+ Experiential Learning Beyond the Classroom.

Arts EXP+ includes: Community Service-Learning, Arts Work Experience, Study Abroad, and eHUB Creative. CSL looks forward to working with our colleagues in new ways as we pursue our distinct modes of experiential learning and collectively expand opportunities for a diverse range of students. Read more HERE.

HUMANITIES 101

HUM 101 has teamed up with CJSR campus radio and gone on the air! The theme this term is “Storytelling”. Listeners and participants will hear from storytellers from different cultures with different ways of telling stories. Guest faculty will also introduce theories about how and why stories are so important in shaping our understandings of the world. The debut show aired on October 16th. Tune in to 88.5FM every Friday at 6PM. Learn more HERE.

WINTER 2021 INTENTIONS

The deadline for Instructors and Community Partners to submit their intention to work with CSL courses for the Winter 2021 term was October 15th. If you missed this deadline but are still interested in working with us next term, please contact our Partnership Coordinators asap!

EVALUATION UPDATE

CSL conducted an evaluation of community partners’ end of term surveys over the past seven years (2013-2019). The evaluation looked at the categories of populations served by community partners, the place CSL students provided their service or completed their projects, and the organizational roles held by the mentors and co-educators of CSL students.

Here is a snapshot of what we found:

• The most common setting for CSL students was with community-based agency partners (33%), followed by schools (24%);
• Student projects were most often with organizations serving youth (20%), children (16%) and women (16%);  
• the people within organizations most likely to be doing mentoring and co-educating CSL students were program staff (41%).

The findings from the evaluation show the diversity of settings engaged by CSL students and give indications to the community identified needs that inform CSL students’ projects. This exploratory data provides insight into the nature of community organizations providing mentoring to CSL students. This helps CSL to identify future community sectors that are not currently involved in CSL and to tailor effective training resources. Read the full report on our website.

FACES OF CSL

Do you have a CSL story to share? Our Faces of CSL blog showcases and celebrates the interesting and inspiring individuals who have been involved with CSL over the last ten years. Through images and stories, this project explores all of the exciting and meaningful opportunities that students, instructors, community partners alike have experienced through CSL. By sharing the personal stories of the diverse and creative folks that make up our community, this project highlights how CSL has acted as a catalyst for inspiring positive change in the academic and personal lives of individual students, the university campus, and the larger community. Contact Jenna to schedule a remote interview.

FALL 2020 READING WEEK

Please note that Fall Reading Week for students will be November 9-13, 2020. CSL staff will be off on November 11th to acknowledge the Remembrance Day holiday. Enjoy your break!