Distinctive Approaches to Learning

All of the Center’s degree and certificate programs are grounded in several key learning principles. They are:

Learning in Community

A collaborative learning community stimulates individual and group learning. It encourages the sharing of ideas, values and experience and leads to the creation of new perspectives and understandings. A learning community co-created by students and faculty contributes to shared knowledge and individual awareness.  

Reflective Practice

Reflective practice is essential so students learn from their experience. By developing the ability to learn from your own practical experience, you open up to new ways of knowing – not derived from books or experts – but from your own life, work, community and family. Reflective practice allows you to learn both from action and for action.

Whole Person Learning

Whole person learning enables students to develop and grow as authentic human beings. Learning that engages minds, hearts and spirits enables you to integrate critical thinking, empathetic understanding and hands-on skills. Whole person learning nurtures the compassionate, practical genius in everyone.

Skills for Thinking, Skills for Action

Effective education for social change includes developing your skills for thinking and action. Both are essential to create a sustainable and just world. Change agents need thinking skills to understand the world and its problems, as well as practical skills to design and implement sustainable solutions.

Diversity

A diverse community of students contributes to individual learning and to an inclusive educational environment. Diversity includes different ideas and beliefs, as well as different cultures and ethnicities. Diversity in the classroom is vital for the education of socially-engaged citizens in a diverse, democratic society.

Understanding Systems

Education for social change requires understanding systems. Systemic thinking focuses on how a single thing, event or phenomenon interacts with others. Systemic thinking expands your worldview to include interactions and relationships and provide a wholistic view of the world.