As a requirement for all Saint Xavier students, Community Based Learning (CBL) is a general education course which offers students not only a beneficial class experience, but helpful community experience as well.
CBL would not be able to function without its helpful and dedicated staff. The CBL curriculum committee is now led by Dr. Tamara Korenman, which was previously led by Kate Carey.
Dean of Arts and Sciences, Kathleen Alaimo and Director of General Education Michael O’Keefe are also prominent leaders in the CBL program. Robert Gutierrez, recently hired in April, is the first Director of CBL.
With the hiring of an additional staff member, it shows that the CBL program is steadily expanding. “In the 2014-2015 academic year at least 22 instructors will be teaching CBL designated courses,” according to Gutierrez.
The CBL program is one which includes a variety of academic departments, allowing students to choose a course that best fits their interests.
Within the time of the course, it is required that the students complete a service project within the community, hence the title including ‘Community Based.’
Gutierrez comments on the benefits of the program, saying that “combining instruction with meaningful hands on experiences creates a more impressionable course. Students get to see concepts in action and apply skills and information from their traditional coursework.”
A wide variety of CBL courses are available through many different departments. ‘Health Communications,’ through the Communications Department, ‘Historical and Social Trends in American Schools’ through the School of Education, ‘Special Topics: Making the Ghetto: Chicago’ through the History Department, and ‘Software Engineering’ through the Computer Science Department, are just a few of the many courses CBL offers.
These departments then team up with organizations throughout the Chicago region for hands-on educational experience for the students.
Ranging in size, mission, and organizational type, there are organizations all over the city. A few of Saint Xavier’s partner organizations include the Mercy Home for Girls, Smith Village, The Bronzeville Historical Society, and the Perspectives Charter School Network, addressing concerns such as immigration, poverty, education, and disability.
Gutierrez states that “Students often report these experiences as the most memorable and enjoyable they have had at SXU.”
Though the CBL program is already very successful, Gutierrez expects that it will continue to grow as more organizations join the cause.
He says that “we are constantly working to improve existing CBL courses, develop CBL components for existing courses, and building new partnerships with nonprofits, schools, hospitals, and service organizations.”
If all goes as planned, the CBL program will continue to expand as the years go on.
If you would like to read a complete write-up on CBL by director Robert Gutierrez, be sure to check out the Xavierite’s website or if you have any questions regarding CBL, be sure to contact one of the directors listed.
As well keep an eye out during course registration for the upcoming semester to see what courses are offered as community based learning courses. This can be a great way fulfill an academic need and personal goal of taking your curriculem into the real world.
Julie Gardner
News Contributor
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