All Engaged Civic Learning (ECL) courses across the campus, including any GenEd course that applies for ECL status, should adhere to the following criteria:
- Incorporate a substantial experiential or community-focused component in which all students are required to participate; students should receive appropriate preparation for this component.
- Provide opportunities for students to analyze, interpret, or reflect on their course experiences and relate it to the course content, with assessment of this work playing a significant role in overall course assessment.
- Be situated in a partnership that brings benefits to both partners and involves appropriate communication (including sharing of results of student work when suitable) between partners.
In addition, students in an Engaged Civic Learning course should engage in at least two of the following activities:
- Reflect on how engaged civic learning experiences may or may not have altered their assumptions about the community and their relationship to it.
- Analyze their own actions and those of others participating in the engaged civic learning project.
- Articulate the challenges, needs, and aspirations of members of the local community.
- Communicate effectively with community members.
- Work constructively with diverse others to address public challenges.