Suche
Mein Konto
Freiburg's students: Taking responsibility through service learning!
The University of Freiburg promotes social engagement through service learning and links academic learning with civil society.
Freiburg's students: Taking responsibility through service learning!
The University of Freiburg has decided to become an active part of the university network “Education through Responsibility e.V.” to become. This decision came at a time when the university is facing significant political, economic, environmental and social challenges. The university's mission statement clearly states that it takes responsibility for society and the environment. In this context, Prof. Dr. Michael Schwarze, Vice Rector for Studies and Teaching, emphasized the importance of membership in the network for the Service Learning offering of the Center for Key Qualifications (ZfS).
As part of service learning, students from all faculties have the opportunity to get involved in non-profit organizations and clubs. The fields of application cover relevant topics such as interculturality and migration, sustainability, environment and life sciences, democracy education and digitalization. These internships enable participants to directly combine university learning with civic action and to reflect on their role in society.
The service learning area
Anette Bender and Jessica Stihl head the service learning area at the ZfS and emphasize the importance of self-effective action. The focus is on promoting interdisciplinary and institutional networking on campus as well as exchange with the region. The ZfS has built a network with over 30 clubs, initiatives and organizations that offer regular exchange opportunities. In addition, the SL program cooperates within the university with the event “Responsibility in Civil Society” led by Dr. Barbara Skorupinski.
Master of Education students present their semester results there and discuss ethical issues. The ZfS is also working on an offer for subject-related service learning in collaboration with selected subjects. Lecturers are motivated to link research questions and teaching topics with the concerns of civil society.
Cooperation opportunities and goals
The network “Education through Responsibility e.V.” also includes exchanges with other universities in order to generate new impulses for the University of Freiburg. Membership opens up many exchange opportunities for the Sustainability Certificate team, actors in the field of entrepreneurship and those interested in knowledge transfer. Working groups of the university network also offer all members of the university, especially teachers, the opportunity to get actively involved and advance quality development in the area of transfer and practice-oriented teaching formats.
Service learning combines volunteer work with academic learning and gives students insights into social opportunities while assuming responsibility. Additional workshops offer theory-driven reflection and ethically based key questions so that participants can also acquire ECTS points in the area of “Professional Field-Oriented Competencies (BOK)”. Close cooperation with community partners in the area is also beneficial, particularly as part of the federal “Engaged City” program, which helps to strengthen existing collaborations and create new networks.
Interested students and teachers can contact Jessica Stihl and Anette Bender with questions and for individual advice. You can be reached at 0761/203-95213 (Stihl) and 0761/203-95212 (Bender) or by email at sl@zfs.uni-freiburg.de.
Further information can be found on the website University of Freiburg, the Services of the Center for Key Qualifications as well as on the Education server.