CEL stands for Community-Engaged Learning and is a course subject that is offered at Buffalo State College.
This course enables students to learn about the history of the city of Buffalo, critically analyze social justice issues, and partner with a local non-profit to further its mission in the community. Through this course, Buffalo State College students learn to identify community priorities and assets, deeply connect to the community through service, and enhance their interpersonal and leadership skills.
Since 2011, this course has offered undergraduate students the opportunity to complete a long-term service commitment with a community organization. Currently, students who enroll in CEL 301: Community Perspectives and Experiences and complete the required hours of service can receive three academic credits upon successful completion of the course.
In this course, students will address community-based priorities, develop civic responsibility and practical skills related to working in the community, and contextualize the community experiences through discussion of the historical and contemporary environment of the city of Buffalo. The experience and skills gained in this course will benefit not only students who will pursue careers in the non-profit community service sector, but all students who will participate as active and civically engaged members in their community.
Specifically. students will:
Complete assigned readings about Buffalo, NY; social justice; and service-learning;
Reflect multiple times during the semester, connecting course concepts to service experience;
Serve with one (1) community partner throughout the semester to assist in meeting the priorities of the community;
Engage in conversations with classmates about social justice;
Utilize teamwork skills to complete a group project;
Hone verbal communication skills through a final presentation.
Community partners have expressed their commitment to working with students in this capacity and look forward to creating a mentoring relationship with those interested in the community. Community partners have been organized in a way to appeal to diverse majors and interests. The community partners for this course fall into one of the following categories:
Community Engagement
Community Health / Wellness
Education and Youth Programming
Homelessness and Vulnerable Populations
Refugee and Immigrant Populations
Why do we engage in the city and community? How do you define personal responsibility to your community?
Why is there a need for service? What are the impacts and limits of service?
Why does the community exist in its current condition?
What are the supports and aggressors within the community?
Why does social inequality exist?
For more information or questions, please contact the CCE.
