A Community Engaged Scholarship Course is a collaboration between faculty and student scholars and community members in mutually beneficial partnerships to address issues of the common good. Community engagement makes student learning more relevant and challenges students to use their knowledge and skills to address real and complex community concerns. These courses facilitate learning of academic course objectives as well as invite reflection on students' sense of purpose and civic responsibility. Nashman Center courses help students to become active citizens of a diverse democracy who see themselves as creative contributing members of their communities.
Preparing your Community Engaged Scholarship Course for next semester? Resources available here!
Spring, 2024
Community Engaged Scholarship Courses at GW
Learn more about community engaged courses at GW by reviewing the courses below!
- UW 1020: Professional Communication in International NonprofitsUW1020: Professional Communication in International Social Enterprises: A Community Engaged Scholarship Course in Partnership with Clinic+O, taught by Dr. Jessica McCaughey. At its core, this course interrogates the question: How does writing allow mission-driven organizations to get work done? This first-year writing class is themed around the topic of international healthcare communication, particularly that of our ...continue reading "UW 1020: Professional Communication in International Nonprofits"
- PT 8352: Teaching in Physical TherapyStudents in PT 8352: Teaching in Physical Therapy taught by Dr. Erin Wentzell complete a variety of service projects that help community members learn how to live healthy lives and adapt to their unique needs. For information about Community Engaged Scholarship at GW: https://go.gwu.edu/cesc Semester Reports Spring 2024 Projects: Projects in this course vary, but all ...continue reading "PT 8352: Teaching in Physical Therapy"
- CGD 2060 Typography II"I worked with the Free Minds Book Club to take poems created by incarcerated members of their club and design expressive typographic works." From Professor Aasawari Kulkarni: "Through the Free Minds Book Club collaboration, my students not only worked with real content, but also had the unique opportunity to interact with the authors of the content ...continue reading "CGD 2060 Typography II"
- EXNS 3120 Experiences in Community NutritionIn this service-learning class by Prof. Karina Lora, students partner with CentroNía, a bilingual and multicultural learning community in Washington, DC. The main project involves teaching nutrition education to preschool students at CentroNia's Columbia Heights neighborhood. Students gain cultural competence and learn to tailor educative messages to to specific audiences. In the classroom, students reflect ...continue reading "EXNS 3120 Experiences in Community Nutrition"
- NURS 4105 Disaster PreparednessIn Disaster Preparedness, a course originally developed by Karen Dawn in the School of Nursing, students learn disaster response guidelines used by nurses in communities, such as limiting injuries and maintaining community health. Students immerse themselves in disaster nurse roles, including rapid, effective response, and care coordination. Students identify an organization to work with, and ...continue reading "NURS 4105 Disaster Preparedness"
- PUBH 6232 The Autism ExperienceIn Professor Sean Cleary's course, "The Autism Experience," students gain insights into autism from a public health perspective. Through service-learning and community participatory research methods, they engage with autistic young adults, their parents, researchers, clinicians, and service providers. The course explores the science, various viewpoints, and real-life experiences of autism, with a specific emphasis ...continue reading "PUBH 6232 The Autism Experience"
- HSSJ 4195 Senior CapstoneAs a primary project for this course, students learn to operate a real foundation, which they call the GW Arc Foundation. This annual course project is funded by the Learning by Giving initiative, which engages students in communicating a Request for Proposals (RFP), evaluating submitted proposals given their own clear criteria, and awarding the funds ...continue reading "HSSJ 4195 Senior Capstone"
- PUBH 4140W Senior Public Health SeminarThis Public Health capstone course, developed by Sara Wilensky, engages students in research and advocacy projects with local community-serving organizations, such as the Latin American Youth Center. This senior seminar course was designed as both a writing in the disciplines and a community engagement course. Professor Wilensky has created a capstone experience for public health ...continue reading "PUBH 4140W Senior Public Health Seminar"
- CGD 2091 Design Studio IIIn Marc Choi's CGD 2091: Design Studio II course, students learn about brand identity systems and programs, and the iterative design processes used in developing a cohesive and comprehensive branding program (print, social media, and motion). Using a community-centered design approach, student teams partner with local community service organizations like the Rock Creek Conservancy and Free ...continue reading "CGD 2091 Design Studio II"
- BADM 4001 Business Leader LaunchBADM 4001: Business Leader Launch is an experiential learning course by Prof. Wendy Wagner, which provides opportunities for students to leverage their business skills with local nonprofit and public service organizations. Students use marketing and communication skills, data analysis, project management and other business skills to help community partners build capacity and impact. Students complete ...continue reading "BADM 4001 Business Leader Launch"
- HSSJ 2171: Child & Adolescent DevelopmentThis course by Prof. Sangeeta Prasad pertains to theories of human development from infancy to young adulthood. Dominant psychosocial, cognitive, and physical competencies; motivational changes; coping styles; and normative and non-normative behaviors. In addition to lectures, students served at least three hours per week in an appropriate agency, but many did more. Prasad, a psychologist ...continue reading "HSSJ 2171: Child & Adolescent Development"
- BISC 1007: Food, Nutrition, and ServiceStudents in Dr. Scully’s Food, Nutrition, and Service class were able to learn about the study of biology and nutrition directly through hands-on service projects in their community. Through community-based lab activities and projects, students had the opportunity to receive an in-depth look at the concepts being taught in this service-learning course, reinforcing the importance ...continue reading "BISC 1007: Food, Nutrition, and Service"
- GEOG 4195W Proseminar-Geographic ThoughtThis capstone course for majors in GW's Geography program engages students in valuable projects with urban planners, local government, and community organizations. Students apply geographic concepts and methods to real-world urban issues. Semester Reports
- HSSJ 2170: Professional Relationships & Human ServicesIn HSSJ 2170, Professor Linda-Jeanne Mack leads a dynamic Community Engaged course focused on cultivating professional communication skills within the human services field. Through this course, students gain practical experience in engaging professionally with individuals and groups, preparing them for impactful interactions within diverse human service settings. The primary goal of HSSJ 2170 is to ...continue reading "HSSJ 2170: Professional Relationships & Human Services"
- PUBH 2117: Service Learning in Public HealthService Learning in Public Health by Prof. Sara Wilensky is a course where students connect significant community service experience to course work on social systems, health outcomes, and vulnerable populations. Examples of service sites include the Latin American Youth Center, Mary's Center, National Alliance on Mental Illness, Horton’s Kids, and Charlie's Place. Professor: Sara Wilensky
- GTCH 2003. Step 1 and 2 Hybrid: Inquiry Approaches to Teaching and Lesson DesignProfessor Kamellia Keo's GTCH 2003 is a combination of GTCH 1001’s Inquiry Approaches to Teaching and GTCH 1002’s Inquiry-based Lesson Design. In order to gain teaching experience, students in Professor Keo’s class first observe the workings of a middle school classroom, then take those observations and apply them to the creation of a lesson plan. ...continue reading "GTCH 2003. Step 1 and 2 Hybrid: Inquiry Approaches to Teaching and Lesson Design"
- PT 8322: Management of the Aging AdultStudents in PT 8322: Management of the Aging Adult taught by Dr. Jason Dring partner with organizations like the Foggy Bottom West End Village to conduct community mobility screenings for older adults. These screenings provided valuable health information to community members while offering students hands-on experience in assessing and communicating with older patients. The mobility ...continue reading "PT 8322: Management of the Aging Adult"
- PT 8481 Interprofessional Community PracticumIn Dr. Erin Wentzell's "Interprofessional Community Practicum," small teams of physical therapy doctoral students collaborate with senior wellness centers and adaptive sports programs to help create spaces for all community members to be active and healthy. Dr. Wentzell connects students to her long-standing partners, including Community of Hope, Catalyst Adaptive Sports, Our Stomping Ground, ...continue reading "PT 8481 Interprofessional Community Practicum"
- PT 8311: Foundations of ExaminationStudents in PT 8311: Foundations of Examination taught by Dr. Rebecca Pinkus partner with organizations like the Foggy Bottom West End Village to conduct community mobility screenings for older adults. In this course, Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students participate in community mobility screenings in partnership with the Foggy Bottom West End Village, an aging-in-place ...continue reading "PT 8311: Foundations of Examination"
- PT 8320: Management of the Pediatric ClientStudents in PT 8320: Management of the Pediatric Client taught by Marisa Birkmeier engage in community service projects with local organizations who serve youth and families.These projects provide valuable hands-on experience working with pediatric populations and families facing various challenges.
- PT 8318: Management of Neuromotor DysfunctionStudents in PT 8318: Management of Neuromotor Dysfunction taught by Dr. Karen Goodman work with MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH) Adaptive Sports and Fitness Program to develop skills in patient communication, transfer techniques, and adaptive equipment management while also learning about the importance of physical activity and sports in rehabilitation and community integration for people ...continue reading "PT 8318: Management of Neuromotor Dysfunction"
- GTCH 3103: Project Based LearningProfessor SuJin Choi's GTCH 3103 is a Project Based Learning community engaged class where students craft mathematics and science lesson plans for implementation in Washington DC schools. These lesson plans and their creation are informed by the students’ observations and assistance in middle and high school classrooms, and what they have learned in the GW ...continue reading "GTCH 3103: Project Based Learning"
- UW 1020: Writing for Social ChangeProfessor Ryder’s UW 1020 is a Community Engaged class centered around Writing for Social Change, where students collaborate with organizations in Washington DC. This course provides students with a practical context to explore the dynamics of language, writing, and communication that can spark inquiry and research. Throughout the semester, Professor Ryder facilitates discussions on the ...continue reading "UW 1020: Writing for Social Change"
- SUST 3003: World on a PlateIn "World on a Plate" by Professor Tara Scully, students study food history and science, while examining food industry connections to social issues like immigration, labor standards, and public health. Students learn about local implications of food systems through service with food banks, food recovery programs, and farmer's markets. This course is taught by renowned ...continue reading "SUST 3003: World on a Plate"
- HSSJ 2177: Social Justice and Public PolicyIn this course, taught by Dr Erica Walls, students analyze how nonprofits/groups organize in pursuit of social justice/impact/change, examine strategies and tactics of social movements, identify provisions and gaps in U.S. social policy, and more. Throughout the semester, the course covers relevant theory, history, and current events, and partnered with DC-area nonprofits to critically evaluate ...continue reading "HSSJ 2177: Social Justice and Public Policy"
- HSSJ 2172: Human Interactions Adult DevelopmentThis Human Interactions class by Professor Sangeeta Prasad observes human development from young adulthood through later stages of aging. Students study the dominant psychosocial, cognitive, and physical competencies; motivational changes; coping styles; and normative and non-normative behaviors of humans from young adulthood to old age. The course includes three hours per week of service-learning in ...continue reading "HSSJ 2172: Human Interactions Adult Development"
- UW 1020 University Writing: Writing Science and Health: Women’s Health as Point of InquiryAll entering first year and transfer undergraduate students are take UW 1020, which is a four-credit course. UW 1020 is designated as a pre-disciplinary course: the goal is to enable students to write effectively in various contexts, within the university and beyond. Dr. Barlow's course integrates the development of writing competencies in varying contexts with ...continue reading "UW 1020 University Writing: Writing Science and Health: Women’s Health as Point of Inquiry"
- CIXD 3820: Engagement LabIn "Engagement Lab," by Professors Kevin Patton and Angela Stepancic students address a challenge posed by a community organization using interaction design. Focusing on social, environmental, and community impact, students collaborate with community stakeholders to create tools, and design new systems. Students have worked with a range of organizations, including Roosevelt STAY Academy and the ...continue reading "CIXD 3820: Engagement Lab"
- HSSJ 2200: Principles of Ethical Leadership"Principles of Ethical Leadership" by Prof. Wendy Wagner uses the “case-in-point” approach to leadership development. Rather than studying leadership through hypothetical case studies, a team-based community engagement project IS the case. Students examine their own group dynamics and their own roles as the project unfolds throughout the semester. Students build their own leadership skills by ...continue reading "HSSJ 2200: Principles of Ethical Leadership"
- BISC 1008 Understanding OrganismsTara Scully’s BISC 1008 course teaches students about the evolution of life on earth; the value of other organisms, their role in our world, and how humans can cause harm to this infrastructure. Serving in the local community in a variety of ways, students learn about D.C. and regional ecological issues, such as agricultural challenges ...continue reading "BISC 1008 Understanding Organisms"
- HSSJ 3100W Program Planning & EvaluationIn HSSJ 3100W: Program Planning and Evaluation, students partner with organizations like YWCA, Rock Creek Conservancy, and Horton's Kids to conduct real-world program evaluations. While providing data and analysis to help organizations improve programs, students gain practical skills in data collection (surveys, interviews, etc.), data analysis, meaning-making and reporting. Community-serving organizations who partner with this ...continue reading "HSSJ 3100W Program Planning & Evaluation"
- UW 1020: Writing Lives, Composing Consciousness and Service LearningAll entering students take UW 1020, a four-credit course to enable students to write effectively in various contexts, within the university and beyond. In Professor Pamela Presser's sections of this course, students seek to deepen their understanding of identity and composition of consciousness through service with organizations within the DC community. Students explore how service ...continue reading "UW 1020: Writing Lives, Composing Consciousness and Service Learning"
- GTCH 1002 Inquiry Based Lesson DesignThe GWTeach program by Prof. SuJin Choi prepares STEM majors for teaching licensure in Washington, DC. This course builds on the basics of teaching learned in GTCH 1001, with a focus on inquiry-based lesson design, teaching with technology, classroom management, and analyzing student performance data. Students partnered with teachers in local middle schools, designing and ...continue reading "GTCH 1002 Inquiry Based Lesson Design"
- TRDA 3131WProfessor Kanter's Community Engaged Scholarship course (CES), Theater for Social Change (TRDA 3131W), focuses on the efficacy of using the arts to address issues within our society. Through their theater knowledge and service to local organizations, students examine produced works of representative 20th and 21st century playwrights, which address violence against women, gender inequality, ...continue reading "TRDA 3131W"
- COMM 1041: Interpersonal CommunicationAbbie Weiner’s "Interpersonal Communication" class gives undergraduates in the Columbian School of Arts and Science an opportunity to get a taste of Community Engaged Scholarship through connecting the principles of interpersonal communication and service. At the beginning of the semester, the students were given an option of three different organizations: Free Minds, the YWCA, and ...continue reading "COMM 1041: Interpersonal Communication"
