Spring 2005 Advance Course Information

This information effective for Spring 2005. Check with instructor the first day of class for any changes.

Kresge College

[KRSG-012B]

12B. Service Learning

Instructor: Roger Bunch
E-mail: rbunch@ucsc.edu

Course Description

Students in this 2-unit class work in a volunteer position for 32 hours (four hours a week for eight weeks), examine the experience through class discussion (usually Mondays 3:30-4:40), keep a journal (around 2 pages per week), read assigned articles (around 10-15 pages a week), write a short final essay (3-4 pages), and a shorter reflection on their work (1-2 pages). Enrollment is limited to 15 students. There are no prerequisites, and the course may be repeated for credit. A 3-unit version of the course, Kresge 12A, may be offered in the Winter. For that class, students volunteer for 48 hours (six hours a week for eight weeks).

Register for the course as you would any other course. If the class is full, e-mail me and I will put your name on a waiting list and let you know what your chance is of getting into the class.

I recommend finding a volunteer placement as soon as possible. Some organizations require volunteers to attend trainings that are offered only occasionally. Also, public schools and some other institutions (especially ones that work with children) may require fingerprints, which can take several weeks. For these and other reasons, it's important to get started on finding a placement and taking care of such formalities as soon as possible.

Many students do arrive the first day of class not knowing where they will volunteer, so don't despair if you can't find a placement, but by waiting you may limit your possibilities.

Though I do make exceptions, I prefer that 1) you not work proselytizing for a religious organization; 2) you work in a position that involves social change and substantive work, rather than filing or stuffing envelopes; and 3) you aren't getting credit from another class for the same work.

If you're unsure where you want to volunteer, consider your interests, your major, and your future career goals. The following institutions (among many others) accept volunteers, though in some cases they may require training, ask for more than 6 hours a week, or ask that you commit to a minimum stay of, say, six months if they're going to take the time to train you.

Animal Shelter
Barrios Unidos
Beach Flats Community Center
Familia Center
Homeless Garden
Legal Aid
Life Lab (school gardens)
Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary
Public or private schools
Resource Center for Nonviolence
Save Our Shores
Tutoring
United Farmworkers Union
Women's Center
Women's Health Center

For more ideas, check with the Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County at http://www.scvolunteercenter.com, and CitySERVE at 454-2987.

If I can help you choose or secure a volunteer position or if you have any other questions, please e-mail me, Roger Bunch, at rbunch@ucsc.edu.

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