Service Learning is a required course for those majoring in Human Relations. Service Learning is a culmination of what students have learned throughout their undergraduate career. This course consists of action projects where we partner with our local community. Through this program, OU students not only volunteer, but also apply their knowledge, skills and passion in the real world to make a difference.
A note from the professor, Sage Mauldin:
In the field of Service-Learning there are two approaches: “traditional” and “critical”. To differentiate between the two, the “traditional” approach focuses more on service, whereas the “critical” approach focuses more on understanding systems and structures of oppression, but nevertheless incorporates service. For example, in a “traditional” Service-Learning course, students are encouraged to provide food to homeless families, but in a “critical” Service-Learning course, students are encouraged to understand the systems and structures that sustain homelessness (e.g., poverty, housing that is not affordable, domestic violence, mental health, etc.), but nevertheless provides food to homeless families. I utilize the “critical” approach, with a specific aim toward social justice.
Service-Learning has the potential to be revolutionary for social change, but this is contingent on whether it is implemented properly. With this in mind, I designed my course to help students challenge the status quo, unjust community structures, and oppressive systems. In the classroom, students learn about and reflect on literature that explains the makeup of systems and structures and how they sustain oppression. In the field, students partner with community leaders who are committed not only to authentic social, systemic, and structural change, but also to helping students better understand the roots of social inequality, inequity, and injustice in the community.
BRIDGES
Bridges of Norman is a teen homeless shelter. This student team served at Bridges and participated in their life-skills class by serving as mentors. In addition to mentoring students, the OU team also taught the high school students how to give back to the community by doing a “Service Learning” project. Our team facilitated the BRIDGES students in every step of planning and executing a human relations type project. Both Bridges students and the administration were pleased with the project.
BUDDY BENCH
Human Relations students created a curriculum to teach the children about the use of the “Buddy Bench” and the logistics of how the bench would work. Three benches were donated by Fowler of Norman and were strategically placed on the playground. OU students painted the benches crimson and crème and trained students on the playground on how to use the benches. “If you feel sad at recess, go and sit on the bench.” Inclusion: “If you see a child sitting on the bench, go and get them and ask them to play.”
MIDDLE SCHOOL UNIVERSITY
We partnered with Alcott Middle School and brought 250 seventh graders to OU campus for a day of “Access and Opportunity” training. Middle school students were taught about our five ISMS (racism, classism, sexism, ageism, and ableism). We had personal interviews that represented each of the ISMS, as well as some upfront teaching time. We took the seventh graders to Couch Cafeteria for lunch. The afternoon session consisted of 24 small groups which were facilitated by 48 college students. During this time, middle schoolers discussed the ISMS, participated in a “Cross the Line” activity, and signed a pledge to be an advocate for each of the ISMS. The day ended with students wearing multicolored “burn bracelets.” Each color represented one of our ISMS. Students were urged to be “change agents.”
NORMAN FOOD RESCUE
Hello! We are a group of Senior Human Relations majors at the University of Oklahoma. For our Service Learning project, we decided to incorporate a way to repurpose leftover food from Norman restaurants and give it to the hungry. Currently, we are working with Norman Food and Shelter and the Salvation Army to get a simplified and streamlined transportation system available so others can eventually participate. Our goal is to work to eradicate hunger in Norman through repurposing unused food.
THE SHADOW PROJECT
The Shadow Project is a pilot program that was created to give first-generation students an advantageous opportunity to experience the life of a college student, and to truly begin conceptualizing the fact that being the first in their family to attend a university is not some remote dream. But, that they themselves possess all the tools necessary to make it a reality. For this project, we partnered with Norman High School and brought 20 first generation college students to OU campus for a day to experience college life. We started the day with an orientation which included personal stories from first generation college students. We also gave students information about admissions, financial aid and scholarships. We conducted get-acquainted activities and had professional guest speakers from campus. We took these high school students to a real college class (Introduction to Human Relations) taught by Dr. Wesley Long. Service learning students facilitated the day and served as mentors for the high school students. We took students to Couch Cafeteria for lunch and for a tour of one of the dorms. The day ended with a Q & A time. Our program began at 9:00 a.m. and ended at 2:30 p.m. Program evaluations indicated that students wished the day at OU could have lasted longer.
"THE PROVOST'S 2020 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING ENGAGED TEACHING/SERVICE LEARNING”
The “Provost’s Community Engagement Award for Outstanding Engaged Teaching/Service-Learning” was presented to Dr. Martin (Dr.J.) on Wednesday, April 22nd, 2020. Dr. Martin was the only faculty member at OU to receive this award for this academic year. The recipients of this award are recognized for implementing innovative and effective teaching that demonstrates community collaboration, institutional impact and deeply engaged, high-quality learning. Service-learning courses require students to work in the community to address community identified needs. Dr. Martin was nominated for this award by our Department Chair, Dr. Long. A committee reviewed all nominations and forwarded the top ten to the Provost’s Office. The Provost/Vice President reviewed all recommendations and determined the faculty member who would receive this award.
Dr. Martin has been teaching at the University of Oklahoma for 18 years. She is a faculty member in Human Relations at OU and she teaches four classes a semester. She designed a course called “service-learning” so students could use their degree in the community. Projects from her class vary from teaching children inclusion using the “Buddy Bench” curriculum (instructor and student designed) to helping first generation-college students attend OU for a day to find out that college is possible through the “Shadow Project.” Her students also help those who have food insecurities by doing food drives and building mini food pantries throughout the community. These are just a few of the projects she teaches and mentors students in during this transformational learning process. Her service-learning classes are a partnership between the University of Oklahoma, the students and the community.
When asked what drives her passion, Dr. Martin said it was her students. She loves working with college students and the community. “It’s a win-win situation because the impact is huge and these projects help so many people.” She loves her job at OU and her students are amazing!
