Community-engaged learning

CEL Grants support the redesign of courses that incorporate a community-engaged approach into curriculum.

Anthropology student Matthew McDonough looks on as museum visitor Leah Hiscock listens to his sound composition.

2019 grant recipients from left: Denis St. Claire, Kathy Sanford, Iain McKechnie, Carmen Rodriguez de France, Audrey Yap, Jordan Stanger-Ross, Jennifer Van de Pol and Dennis Hore

Dr. Wise (right, theatre) with "A Queer Trial" director Matthew Payne (left) and THEA 311 students at a dress rehearsal for the site-specific community play "A Queer Trial." Dr. Wise developed THEA 311 with the support of a CEL Grant.

Dr. Charlotte Schallié (Germanic and Slavic studies) engaging with students at Victoria High School during a Holocaust education outreach event as part of her CEL Grant.

Anthropology of Sound (ANTH 303) project team with with a permanent listening station developed through a CEL Grant in Century Hall at the Royal BC Museum.

Students from ANTH 303 (fall 2017) will create sound compositions to accompany artifacts at the Royal BC Museum as part of Dr. Boudreault-Fournier's CEL Grant project "Listening to the RBCM."

2017 CEL Grant recipients from left: Dr. John Lutz (history), Dr. Karena Shaw (environmental studies), Deborah Curran (Environmental Law Centre), Dr. Alexandrine Boudreault-Fournier (anthropology) and Dr. Bruce Ravelli (sociology).

UVic THEA 311 students performing a free site-specific play in Bastion Square. Over 350 people attended and were able to learn about Victoria's colonial history and minority populations in 1860.

 

What is community-engaged learning?

Community-Engaged Learning (CEL) is a form of experiential learning and community-engaged scholarship whereby students actively engage with course content through the combination of collaborations with community and facilitated reflection. In this approach to learning…

  • community (both on and off campus) is broadly defined and includes community groups, businesses, governmental and non-governmental agencies, industry, etc.;

  • action varies from dialogue to practice to consultation to research; and

  • levels of engagement vary from information sharing to involvement in community-led initiatives to co-creation of collaborative learning endeavours.

Through CEL, students can apply academic knowledge to real world issues, a process that can benefit both students and the community.

Community-engaged learning takes many forms at UVic. Practicum placements, internships, co-operative education, service learning programs, study abroad and applied research projects are just a few examples of how CEL is integrated at UVic. The CEL Office (in the Division of Learning Support and Innovation) is here to support these endeavours. Contact celc1@uvic.ca for more information. 

Participate in community-engaged learning

Community, faculty and staff and students are all vital to building a thriving community-engaged learning environment. Explore some of the ways you can get involved and contribute to this vibrant learning community.