Academic service-learning courses offer students the unique opportunity to serve the needs of local communities through applying academic studies. The service-learning model emphasizes students' personal growth and development, which is achieved by personal reflections, group discussions and mentorship from faculty and staff members.
Academic service-learning courses can be based in any academic discipline. They are distinguished by their integration of meaningful community service with academic learning goals and intentional student reflection. To view a publication of case studies of NYU Shanghai academic service learning courses, please download from the links here: English / Chinese. Examples of course-integrated service include
Direct provision of a volunteer service of a population in a community
Creating a product that fulfills a community-based need
Conducting research that benefits a community cause
Students apply to join these courses at NYU Shanghai. Working with the instructor, the CEL Office runs a selection process that evaluates student preparation, motivation, and commitment. Since service projects require substantial out-of-class work and visits to community partner sites, the application process is designed to select students who are prepared to commit to the expectations of the course and the associated community service work.
NYU Shanghai Academic-Service Learning courses supported by the CEL Office include:
PCIX-SHU 102 Experience Studio: Making a “Good Education” for Migrant Children in Rural Guangdong Province
ENGD-SHU 101A Language and Power
PSYC-SHU 234 Developmental Psychology
PSYC-329 Parenting and Culture
ART-SHU 250 Visual Culture and Social Art Practice: Collaborations and Community Interactions
INTM-SHU 248 Creating Assistive Technology
INTM-SHU 271 Remade in China
INTM-SHU 267 The Cultivated City