Study Abroad in Stellenbosch: Service Learning

Service Learning: Certificate in Community Engagement in South Africa

The object of this Certificate program is to provide international students with the opportunity to demonstrate their global citizenship through a service learning experience. Students will develop an understanding of the historical background and current issues impacting on community life and problems in South Africa and experience it first hand through service to a South African community while earning academic credits.

Students take a mandatory 6-credit Service Learning in Community Development course, which involves 4-5 hours of classroom study and 5-6 hours of community service per week. In addition, students select three 3-credit modules from the following list, one of which must be a language course. Students opting to take the Certificate program earn a total of 15 credits. After completion of the certificate program the student will have acquired:

1. A basic understanding of South African history and current socio-economic and political trends, including cultural knowledge of changes and current patterns of South African artefacts.
2. A beginner's ability to read and understand a South African language, including a rudimentary proficiency in speaking the language
3. A theoretical understanding of poverty and development, based on principles of community empowerment, within the context of South African communities.
4. Hands-on social and personal skills in serving a particular South African community that will be transferable to similar communities elsewhere in the world.
5. A sense of social responsibility and cultural and civic values in a diverse society.

COURSE OUTLINE

The Certificate program will link to existing courses within IPSU – International Programmes Stellenbosch University and consists of four modules of 3-6 credits each.

One module is mandatory. The mandatory module will earn the student 6 credits and is composed of a theory and a community service-learning component. In addition, students will select a further three modules from two groups of modules, of which at least ONE must be a language. Courses are subject to change; please contact your Admissions Officer for the most updated course list..

(This Service Learning module may be taken on its own with any other course – timetable permitting. Students will then only receive the credits and transcript for the course.The Certificate is only issued to students taking the required combination of four courses.)

Course Descriptions

Mandatory Module - Service Learning in Community Development 301/401 (6 credits)
The student will attend class for 4-5 hours and do between 5-6 hours of community service per week for fourteen weeks. The module will consist of three parts: Community Development Theory, Service Learning Theory, and Community Service Learning Application. The first part will provide students with a theoretical understanding of community developments, concepts, principles and processes and a knowledge and understanding of social phenomena, pathologies and problems pervasive in disadvantaged South African communities.The second part will give students an understanding of the philosophy, principles and purpose of Service Learning and a sense of social responsibility, cultural and civic values in a diverse society. The third part, application, will allow students to apply abstract academic concepts and principles in practice and provide a real life experience in a service organization in a South African community.

Site placements include: Crèche/Early Education Development; Museum: Art and Music Programs; Schools: Computer Training and Library Service; Intellectually Disabled Persons Residential Care; HIV and Aids Prevention and Care; Crime Prevention – Youth Programs. More information will be provided about each organization during the introductory period of the course. A field trip will also be undertaken to the different service sites. Please keep in mind that no placement can be guaranteed in advance of the start of a semester. No student can make a placement choice before the orientation has been completed, and due to student numbers, placements may be added or omitted.