UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA

Information for Faculty and Staff

Within- and Beyond-the-Classroom Experiences in USC Connect

Students are learning in valuable ways in class, in labs, at the Russell House, in the residence halls, and beyond the university campus.

USC Connect is about helping students engage in and learn from a wide variety of experiences that will enhance their education and preparation for the future both within and outside of traditional academic boundaries.

• Search for experiences
• Contact a USC Connect pathways office to help design experiences for your students

Within-the-classroom

USC Connect encourages students to:

• actively participate in class,
• seriously engage with readings and assignments,
• consider how each course relates to other areas of study, and
• be mindful of how course work informs their broader expereince.

USC Connect works with the Center of Teaching Excellence, to support faculty and staff in developing innovative courses and teaching strategies. Grants on integrating within- and beyond-the-classroom learning are awarded to faculty each spring.

Beyond-the-classroom

Examples

Short term experiences:
One-time events such as artistic performances, guest lectures, and short term community service opportunities(e.g., MLK Service Days, “fill-the-van” Saturdays).

Long term experiences:
Extended community service, internships, ongoing leadership in a student organization, study abroad, continuing research with a faculty member. Often includes a reflective or structured learning component. May earn credit.

Whether short- or long term, USC Connect focuses on five “high impact” pathways:

• Community Service
  Service provided to local, off-campus groups with a focus on positive impact to the community being served. May be short or long term. Service learning integrates robust community service and academic course work.
• Global Study
  Experience focused on learning about different cultures and parts of the nation and world. Includes national and international study away programs and educational experiences. Includes local opportunities to interact with and learn about diverse people, cultures, and environments. May or may not be for credit.
• Internships
  Full- or part-time experience in a work setting which may or may not include remuneration or credit. Focused on developing knowledge, skills, and dispositions to be fully prepared for a profession or a variety of work options.
• Peer Leadership
  Participating in on-campus opportunities, particularly in relation to leading, developing, and implementing programs or activities for others. Includes student organizations, peer leadership programs, active participation in living and learning communities (residence life), and campus life activities (e.g., recreation, media, multicultural student affairs, media).
• Research
  Exploring academic interests and disciplines of study in-depth through planned and purposeful inquiry, traditional research, and creative scholarship/activities. May or may not be for credit or a component within a broader course. Includes serving as a research assistant and developing and completing individual projects.

Help students and others be aware of all you offer!

Are your beyond the classroom opportunities listed for students in the Beyond the Classroom Experience Database? If not, submit new opportunities here.

 

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