Cmty Dev & Apld Econ: SL:Local Community Initiatives (A)

About CDAE 3710 A

Provides a robust understanding of the history of Vermont community development; ongoing Vermont projects; ideas and plans for maintaining and invigorating the local community and future economy. Students work with community partners to identify and prioritize community needs and develop a project to address those. Prerequisite: CDAE 2020.

Notes

Prerequisite: CDAE 2020; Open to Degree and PACE students.

Section Description

This upper-level service-learning course is designed to provide you with the opportunity to explore your own knowledge, skills, and future aspirations in the field of asset-based community development while gaining real-world experience as a community development professional. In this capstone course for the Community and International Development major or minor, you will be engaged in critical reflection throughout the course—whether working with our community partners, examining your personal aspirations, or creating a professional portfolio. You will also gain valuable pre-professional experience through our service-learning partnerships for the semester.

Our learning objectives include: 1. Apply knowledge and skills gained from prior coursework in CDAE to a real-world service-learning project with our community partners; 2. Develop and refine skills (project management, communication, facilitation, collaboration, etc.) and mindset necessary for being a competent and reflective practitioner of community development; 3. Create a quality professional portfolio that is comprised of materials that can be used to launch the next stage of your career; 4. Appreciate the complexity of creating sustainable and resilient communities that are desirable places to work, live, and play.

Section Expectation

This course will be a combination of lectures, seminar discussion, and experiential learning. Preparation and reflection before class will be essential to fully participating in the class and students are expected to introduce key issues related to the readings, projects and lectures. Course work will support the service-learning projects that are at the heart of this learning experiences as well as your professional portfolio.
Assignments will be graded on content, writing style, and professionalism as well whether the assignment met key deadlines. Considerations in assessing participation will include content, forethought, quality and frequency of your contributions. as

learly you cannot participate without being in class so attendance is required. Students are expected to show respect for divergent views and maintain a courteous aspect throughout the course. As part of the service-learning component you will be completing reflection activities inside and outside of class.

Each student will apply their project management skills to a service-learning (S-L) project. You should anticipate that you will need to allocated time outside of our regular class meetings to complete your projects. More information about the project will be presented in class. Each student will also create a professional portfolio that features their own unique resumes, cover letters, informational interview brief, interviewing preparations, and summary reflection. Details will be presented in class and shared on Blackboard.

Evaluation

All students will complete a professional portfolio (includes resume, cover letter, interview practice, informational interview) and be engaged in a service-learning project that will culminate in final deliverables created for the community partner and a variety of reflection activities.

Important Dates

Note: These dates may change before registration begins.

Courses may be cancelled due to low enrollment. Show your interest by enrolling.

Resources

• Parking
• PACE Course Pricing
• Textbooks