CBL Working Group

Community-Based Learning (CBL) is a pedagogical model that integrates community service and academic classroom learning. The Center for Social Concern was recently awarded an AmeriCorps*Volunteer in Service to America (VISTA) member to serve as a full-time Community-based learning Coordinator to help facilitate the development of a CBL program for the Homewood campus (including undergraduates in the Public Health Studies major).

In order to lay the structural foundation for a CBL program, the Community-Based Learning Working Group will be established.

The Community-Based Learning Working Group will be composed of a number of interested stakeholders, including

1. Johns Hopkins faculty members who are currently teaching courses which include a community service component

2. Johns Hopkins faculty members who would be interested in developing/ teaching a CBL course in the future

3. Johns Hopkins faculty, administrators, or staff with extensive knowledge and connections within the Baltimore non-profit community, or experience with CBL

4. Students with a dedicated interest in CBL

Additional stakeholder meetings will be conducted with local community-based and non-profit organizations to determine their needs and preferences around engaging in community-based learning with Johns Hopkins classes. These meetings will take place once the working group has identified needs and constraints involving University participation.

Working Group Goals:

1. Determine the types of support faculty need to reasonably conduct CBL courses
2. Explore and identify systems for community-based organizations and faculty to connect with one another, in conjunction with community-based stakeholders
3. Develop a set of criteria for courses to be designated CBL courses
4. Develop a strategy for the advancement of community-based learning at JHU

Commitment:

Attend once (1) monthly meetings of the working group, beginning in October 2008 and extending to May 2009.

Contact Information:

Lisa Morris, lmorri23@jhu.edu
Community-Based Learning Coordinator
Center for Social Concern, 200 Levering Hall
(410) 516-4801