As the sole multidisciplinary research and teaching program dedicated to international development at the University of Colorado, DART is uniquely positioned to meet service learning objectives for undergraduate and graduate education. The University has expressed a commitment to expand service learning, which is a form of experiential learning that is based on community service (http://www.colorado.edu/servicelearning/). Ideally, it should connect topics being covered within the classroom with projects, campaigns and goals within the public and private sectors to give students’ first hand experience to contextualize their learning. This is not to say that the students are getting "real world” experience; rather, service learning is designed to demonstrate that the skills they develop in the classroom have direct application to the diverse settings outside of the University of Colorado.

Because of DART’s commitment to international affairs, micro-finance, gender, civil society, and sustainable development, the program has established links with nonprofit organizations located in the Western United States working throughout the United States and developing world (http://www.colorado.edu/geography/dart/directory/international%20directory.htm). Students engaged in service learning through DART will work directly with community organizations that do service and outreach for international development, homeless shelters, food aid organizations, and immigrant communities. Undergraduate students will benefit from these campus-community relationships while being introduced to volunteer and employment opportunities. Graduate students will be exposed to an extensive network of activities directly related to their research and teaching interests.

For more information contact Dr. Rachel Silvey.