Non-CEL Ways to Connect your Course to the Community
It's possible that the best option for now is to not have students directly connected to the community. If that is the case, there are many resources for exploring the concepts of community with your students. Here are just a few:
- Discuss and reflect on the notion of community and the various forms it takes - recognized 501(c)3 organizations, grassroots organizations, neighbor to neighbor connections, family and friends.
- Explore the ideas around community engagement and social justice.
- National Issues Forums has a great collection of resources that explore a variety of issues. You could have students read the materials and engage in an online discussion. The website has resources for how to structure the experience.
- https://civicreflection.org/
- Everyday Democracy has a collection of downloadable resources focused on community change. This includes stories of change makers, tools, as well as a democracy and equity reading list.
- Teach students how laws are created, help them discover who their elected officials are, discuss the importance of advocating for what you believe in. Here are the Campus Compact - Civic Education Resources and AAC&U - Civic Prompts: Civic Learning in the Major by Design.
- Think about what organizations and businesses are impacted by COVID-19. Perhaps some of them would benefit from positive Google or Yelp reviews if the students have interacted with them?