Service-Learning at UM

The McLean Institute provides support for faculty seeking to create or expand service-learning courses for University of Mississippi students. In addition to providing grants, the McLean Institute hosts workshops for faculty who are developing service-learning courses from a broad range of disciplines.

2014-2015 Grants

PSY 470 – Communities and Family Work

Carey Dowling

Students enrolled in PSY 470 will partner with daycare facilities to provide support to early learning programs and learn more about the interactions between education staff and parents. Enrolled students will commit to 25 hours of service per semester.

EDUC 333/555 – Service-Learning in Science Education

Joe Sumrall

Students will work with K-12 science teachers to develop experiential and problem-based science challenges. Service to the community will total approximately 60 hours per semester.

BUS 400 – Social Entrepreneurship in Mississippi

Clay Dibrell

This course addresses factors affecting social entrepreneurship and rural business development in Mississippi. Students will participate in an experiential trip to the Mississippi Delta during which they will complete service projects. After the trip enrolled students will develop business plans which respond to social problems encountered during the course.

PSY 365 – Environmental Psychology

Laura Johnson

Topics in this course include the human-nature connection; the role of nature in development of human identity, attitudes, and behaviors; eco-anxiety; and nature- based therapies. A service-learning component will require students to partner with environmental related non-profits and civic groups during the semester.

2013-2014 Grants

Transactional Legal Clinic

Allison Korn

The Transactional Legal Clinic provides free legal services to low-capital entrepreneurs and non-profit organizations. After conducting community-based research in the Mississippi Delta, the Clinic plans to focus on the food-based economy.

PMTM 591- Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience

Ashley Ellis

Students enrolled in PMTM 591 on both the UM-Oxford and UMMC-Jackson campus will provide influenza immunizations to underserved patients in DeSoto County, Mississippi in partnership with Funderburk’s Pharmacy. The course is designed to prepare pharmacy students for work in underserved communities.

ENGR 596- Community Infrastructure and Health Improvements, Togo, Africa

Christiane Surbeck

This course was offered for the first time in August 2012 and is used in combination with travel to Togo. This activity is part of a five-to ten-year commitment to the rural Togolese village of Hedome, in the Vogan Prefect. The next trip to Togo to start the construction of the school in Hedome is scheduled for August 2013 to match with UM’s August intersession and to provide the hard-working EWB-UM students with service-learning course credit while providing the service itself.

SOC 355: Sociology of Human Rights

Mark Frezzo

This course is designed to raise consciousness about poverty as a human rights issue in order to (a) generate greater interest among students (and their social networks) and the community in anti-poverty campaigns, and (b) to expose local NGOs and community-based organizations to cutting-edge research and advocacy on human rights-based remedies for poverty. The courses service-learning objective entails affording students the opportunity to serve as human rights educators through community outreach

IE051: Topics in Intercultural Communication- Community Connections

Tracy Koslowski

The students in this course offer school children and other community participants interaction with members of the various cultures represented by international students at the University of Mississippi. Enrolled students engage with local communities (particularly Oxford, North Panola, and Quitman County) through field days, World Passport events, and arts projects.

2013-2014 Grants to Support New or Converted Courses

LING 435: American English

Allison Burkette

The purpose of LING 435/ENGL 434 is to provide the student with basic knowledge about the terms and skills used in the field of linguistics and to apply those skills to the study of American English.  This course surveys the wide range of information available about the different dialects found in American English. Students will conduct sociolinguist interviews in a local community and contribute to that community by creating a video history, school curriculum, museum exhibit, or other project.

PRCT 577- Practical Skills Laboratory

Justin Sherman

This pharmacy skills course will incorporate a significant service-learning component designed for students to gain skills and appreciation for the value of community engagement with various groups in need, including the elderly, children, the homeless, mentally-challenged, and the poor.  Students, working in small groups, will be charged to develop and implement two significant service-learning projects during the semester. Eligible service-learning projects include designing focus groups, developing educational materials for public schools, and working with free clinics.

CJ390 Special Topics Service Learning in Criminal Justice 

Linda Keena

The course will focus on the interrelatedness and interdependency of individuals and community social institutions.  The course will explore the reciprocal relationships between individuals and their environment, encourage productive citizen involvement, and build effective communities. Students will develop a Service-Learning Plan after an initial contact with a potential service learning agency or organization.  The Plan includes: name of agency, contact person, telephone number and mailing address, service activity, planned hours, brief analysis of the need to be met by the service activity, and three or more questions they want answered by participating in a service learning project. A minimum of 25 hours of service is required.

LING 438: Language and Gender

Tamara Warhol

Through readings and participation in community service projects, students in this course will consider the relationship of gendered communicative practices to the formation and transformation of stereotypes, normativity, privilege, power, cognition, emotion, morality, and politeness. Students will ultimately be able to compile, create, and present online resources and pamphlets related to gender and communicative practices.

Studies in the Far North: Culture and Science in Alaska

Stacey Britton

This StudyUSA course offers students the opportunity to work with native Alaskan communities and learn more about the role of ecotourism in the Alaskan economy. Students will work with local cooperative extension agents to prepare education and cultural programs.