Finding Civic Learning in the University Catalog: How Course Attributes Identify and Enhance Opportunities for Engagement

The increasing number of courses with a community engagement component reflects the University of Pittsburgh’s commitment to community engagement. However, what defines a civic learning/community engagement course at Pitt? This panel session described the new course attribute on civic learning. The attribute provides an indicator for those classes in the course catalog that include either a civic learning or civic learning plus engagement. Dean Joseph McCarthy conducted a conversation with faculty and students who worked to design this attribute and shared the dimensions of civic learning and engagement that are part of the new attribute. Participants learned how students, staff and faculty can use the attribute to enhance community engagement as part of the Pitt experience.