Academic courses with a service-learning component can be designated with an S suffix through CAPA, UGA’s online course approval system (e.g., AESC 2990S). The course approval process can be used to revise existing courses or propose new courses by designating the “S” suffix, and by providing evidence of service-learning best practices (reflection, engagement with community-identified areas of need, application of course content) in the Course Objectives and/or Topical Outline section of the course approval form.
There are advantages to both students and the institution in having service-learning courses designated as such. Students can more readily find relevant opportunities and are better aware of the community-based aspects of their course when signing up. The designation also helps automatically include courses for Experiential Learning in many schools/colleges, and also includes participants in ongoing institutional reporting as part of UGA's strategic plan, the USG's High-Impact Practices initiative, and in our end-of-course surveys.
The “S” suffix was developed by the Service-Learning Curriculum Committee and approved in Spring 2008 by the University Curriculum Committee. Updates to the S suffix language were approved by the University Curriculum Committee in January 2022, and are now reflected in CAPA, as follows:
S Suffix - Service-Learning Course
Example of course ID: CSCI 2000S
The S suffix is used for courses with a service-learning component, a high-impact practice (HIP). Service-learning courses engage students through placements or projects in addressing a real-world, community-identified need that relates to the course learning objectives and serves the public good. Through critical reflection activities, students demonstrate how their work benefits the community as well as enhances their academic, civic, and/or personal learning. While the amount, focus, and partners for community-based work can vary substantially, all S courses must include student involvement in, and reflection on, projects/placements applying course content to benefit the (local, state, national, or international) community.
Evidence of service-learning must also be included in the Course Objectives and/or Topical Outline section of the course approval form; see examples on the Office of Service-Learning website.
Proposals for S suffix courses will be routed through the Office of Service-Learning for approval.
Over 350 courses have received this designation. See the S-designated courses approved to date in the UGA Bulletin, at http://bulletin.uga.edu/CoursesAdvSearchBySuffix.aspx.
Additionally, some colleges have links to their service-learning course offerings on their websites (FACS, College of Environment and Design, College of Agriculture and Environmental Services,School of Social Work, and Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources).
