Engage in the Classroom

Community Engagement

Community-Engaged Learning Courses

East Tennessee State University offers Go Beyond the Classroom Community-Engaged Learning (CEL) Designated courses in a variety of colleges, majors, and areas of study. Through CEL Designated courses, you can gain real-world experience while putting your academic work into action in our region and beyond! Below is a list of courses that are CEL Designated, with descriptions from the ETSU Academic Catalog. You can ask your advisor and/or check the notes about the course when you register to find CEL courses.

  • View the full list of CEL Designated courses here

    ACCT 4905/5905 - Accounting Internship in VITA
    "Provides assignments in approved business or public-sector organizations as interns under the supervision of the internship coordinator and field placement supervisors. A selective competitive process is used for admission to this course."

    ALHE 4080 - Leadership Capstone Course
    "Provides a culminating experience course in the Allied Health Leadership program. Knowledge acquired during the program supports developing  a project involving a real-world health care problem."

    APST 3530 - Religion in Appalachia
    "This course will survey the diversity of religions in Appalachia both historically and currently."

    APST 5260 - Regional and International Issues in Appalachian Studies

    ARTA 4002 - Graphic Design Workshop
    "The Graphic Design Workshop: Students work with clients on actual graphic design assignments receiving practical experience in account management and production to provide a foundation for professional practice."

    CHNG 1008 - Place As Text: From Exploration to Impact
    "Provides structured explorations of places in our region to gain understanding of the complex challenges facing our communities, to recognize the need for changemaking efforts, and to network with local leaders already involved in changemaking."

    CHNG 1908 - Introduction to Changemaking and Social Innovation
    "Provides an introduction to the theory and practice of changemaking and social innovation."

    COBH 2000 - Essentials
    "Covers essential skills, strategies, and expertise necessary to improve and advance low-resource settings and provides an overview of selected International Health needs and current improvement strategies. The international need, theory/current technology, and construction of water filters, cook stoves/food preservation, sanitary toilets, and basic shelters are covered. Basic construction techniques from low-resource settings are used to construct various shelters. Additional topics ranging from micro-economies, malaria control, and global resources are introduced. Admission to Public Health Major." 

    COBH 3000 - Essentials II
    "Provides experience in the development of  public health projects using the essential skills, strategies, and expertise necessary to improve and advance low-resourced settings. Working with community partners, students develop projects using both low-resource and advanced tools/techniques to create solutions for health challenges. Examples of solutions for health challenges include low-resource mobility devices for children, low-resource shoes, low-resource prosthetics and biosand water filters. "

    COBH 4700 - Applied Practice in Global Health
    "Provides an intensive study of interprofessional perspectives on global health and the host country’s health status while developing an appreciation for community health perspectives through a study abroad experience."

    COBH 4850 - Field Experience - Community Health
    "Provides practical experience in a public health setting such as community health departments, health clinics, health education programs, non-profit and governmental agencies, non-governmental organizations, and other regional, national, and global community groups."

    COMM 4356 - Intercultural Communication
    "Explores theories, research, and practice of cross-cultural communication. Cultural differences and similarities are explored, as well as methods for improving intercultural communication."

    COMM 4957/5957 - Special Topics in Communication (Narrative Medicine & Health In/Justice)
    "Presents varying subject matter depending on the semester and instructor teaching the class. May be repeated with different subject matter."

    CUAI 3100 - Teaching Math to Diverse Learners
    "Provides an opportunity to strengthen content knowledge associated with teaching elementary math with an emphasis on assessment and differentiation, creating a culturally responsive classroom, and effective instructional strategies for teaching mathematics to English Learners (ELs)."

    CUAI 4220 - Social Studies in a Multicultural Society 
    "The course explores foundations, themes, content, and pedagogies of elementary social studies education in a multicultural society. Students design learning experiences that incorporate meaningful concepts and culturally responsive pedagogy."

    DHYG 4110 - Supportive Periodontics
    "Provides advanced study of periodontics, designed in preparation for clinical practice including treatment of early periodontal diseases."

    DIGM 4917 - Digital Media Production
    "Applies skills learned in digital media concentrations to create a project for competition, service work or other significant applications. Principles governing critical analysis of production are emphasized."

    ECED 4450 - Constructivist Inquiry Approach to Science/Math for Young Children
    "Embraces a constructivist approach aligned with inquiry oriented philosophy, and enables decision making, problem-solving, reasoning, and critical thinking in the context of teaching and learning science and math in PreK-3 classrooms."

    ECED 4680 - Residency I Seminar and Field Experience
    "School-based clinical residency experience (RI) for 15 weeks (135 hours) in PreK-3 public school classrooms. Teacher candidates plan, implement, and evaluate developmentally effective instruction for children in PreK-3. Successful completion of this Residency I (RI) course is required to move to Residency II (RII)."

    FREN 3010 - French Conversation and Composition
    "Explores a variety of global issues with emphasis in improving argumentation in both conversation and writing."

    GEOS 2490 - Field Methods in Geospatial Technology
    "Covers both traditional and new methods for collecting data in the field in a variety of urban and natural environments including planning field expeditions, making measurements and assessments in the field, and producing maps and other geospatial products to communicate results. This course also includes concepts of experimental design, sampling strategies, data analysis, interpretation, and geovisualization."

    GEOS 4857/5857 - Principles of Hydrology
    "Studies of water as it occurs in all phases of the hydrologic cycle and the analysis of currently developing water problems on the local, regional, and national levels."

    HIST 3410 - Historical Methods
    "An introductory survey of historical methods and thinking, including consideration of the philosophy of history, historiography, historical research, historical sources, and the writing of history."

    HIST 4347/5347 - Topics in Comparative World History (Holidays, Rituals & Festivals)
    "Topics in Comparative World History challenges advanced undergraduate and graduate students to explore issues related to multiple nations, regions, or cultures across the world. Focused on writing skills, these courses enable students to evaluate academic literature, develop research topics, and construct relevant historical arguments in a specific area of advanced study. Course repeatable for credit, maximum 9 credits."

    HSMP 3600 - Quality & Utilization Assurance
    "Explores the issues related to quality, utilization, and risk management and the administrator’s role in developing an environment which supports institutionalization of these concepts."

    HSMP 4850 - Field Experience Health Admin
    "Provides work experience in hospitals, official, and voluntary agencies, and other community groups and organizations. The student furnishes necessary living and traveling expenses."

    LANG 4957 - Special Topics in Language: Afro Brazilian Culture and Music
    "A series of special interest subjects will be offered under this title on the basis of student interest and faculty capability. The course may be repeated."

    MATH 4010/STAT 5910/STAT 5920 - Undergraduate Research/Intern Exp. In Data Science 1/Intern Exp. In Data Science 2

    • MATH 4010: "Presents an oral and writing intensive course serves as the culmination of the mathematics curriculum. It is designed for students who are within three semesters of graduation. Students work on projects under the supervision of faculty members of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. Prior to enrollment, each student must locate a potential supervisor to discuss tentative projects and required background. Honors students should take MATH 4018 instead."
    • STAT 5910: "Prepare for a data science career in industry, government or business by engaging in projects stemming directly from an industrial partner. This is the first course in a two-course sequence."
    • STAT 5920: "Continue the preparation for a data science career in industry, government or business by engaging  in projects stemming directly from an industrial partner. The second course in a two-course sequence."

    MCOM 3500 - Audience Insights
    "Offers theory and practice of developing audience insights to create and measure effective brand communication strategy. The course includes field experience." 

    MKTG 3800 - Digital Marketing
    "Examines the role of digital marketing in online business-to-business and business-to-consumer commerce environments. This course explores digital marketing strategy through the use of analytical tools and techniques. Topics may include fundamentals of digital marketing, digital marketing tools, digital advertising, digital marketing data and analysis, and content development."

    NRSE 3510 - Population, Community, and Public Health Nursing
    "Addresses major concepts involved with population-focused, community-based nursing care in local, regional, state, national, and global communities. Principles of public health science are incorporated into health promotion and prevention services to support wellness. Evidence-based care is emphasized with special consideration for vulnerable populations, as well as lifestyle, environmental and cultural factors."

    NRSE 4551 - Adult Care II Practicum
    "Builds on previous nursing knowledge to promote understanding of how healthcare services are provided to older adults. Emphasis is placed on modifying practice to meet the needs of the older adult and includes client advocacy, health coaching, health promotion and teaching. It includes how to plan, implement, and evaluate care for the older adult with complex co-morbidities and consider the transition of care between settings."

    OCTH 6204 - Neuroscience
    "Prepares students to transmit the fundamental facts and concepts underlying current knowledge of the nervous system. Clinical examples and correlations are used to provide a context for perceiving and recognizing normal neural structure/function and to illustrate how knowledge of the basic neurobiological principles underlie an understanding of neural and behavioral dysfunction."

    OCTH 6308 - Human Development and Performance Throughout the Lifespan
    "Examines the physical, emotional, cognitive, and socio-cultural aspects of human development throughout the lifespan."

    OCTH 6311 - Practice Skills - Pediatrics
    "Provides a foundational knowledge of occupational therapy evaluation, intervention, and outcomes for infants, children, and adolescents. Emphasis is placed on the application of theories, models of practice, and frames of reference. A variety of practice settings and service delivery models with individuals and groups are examined. The course explores family and caregiver interactions, intraprofessional, and interprofessional collaboration."

    OCTH 7118 - Practice Skills IV: Neurological Disorders
    "Provide foundational knowledge of occupational therapy evaluation, intervention, and outcomes specific to adult neurological conditions. Emphasis is placed on the occupational therapy process related to occupational performance, context, and participation utilizing the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) and the Ecology of Human Performance (EHP)."

    OCTH 7218 - Practice Skills - Geriatrics
    "Provide foundational knowledge of occupational therapy evaluation, intervention, and outcomes specific to geriatric conditions as well as ethical and legal issues impacting service delivery and end of life decisions. Emphasis is placed on the occupational therapy process related to occupational performance, context, and participation utilizing the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) and the Ecology of Human Performance (EHP)."

    OCTH 7221 - Rehabilitation Technology and Environmental Modifications
    "Examines the impact of society and policy, environment, and technology on the participation of individuals, groups, communities, and populations. Emphasis is placed on the environment for the purpose of facilitating quality of life participation through assessment, accessibility, and modifications of the physical environment. Facilitators and barriers to participation are explored including universal and ergonomic design principles and leveraging assistive technology."

    PEXS 4250 - Adapted Physical Education
    "A study of the legal, medical, and educational bases for physical activity programs for individuals with disabilities, with emphasis on evaluation, placement, and instruction. Field experience is required."

    PEXS 4630 - Exercise Science Internship I
    "Provides worksite experience in the area of exercise science. The internship experience  requires a minimum of 240 hours of field experience."

    PEXS 4977 - Exercise is Medicine
    "Examines chronic diseases and disabilities that occur in many individuals. It is oriented toward understanding the disease, the effects exercise may have on the disease, and modifications to general exercise programs."

    PSYC 3500 - Ecopsychology
    "Examines the relationship of humans to nature. It also investigates how the split between Western culture and nature relates to modern psychopathology and environmental destruction."

    PUBR 5325 - Brand Insights and Analytics
    "Develop an advanced understanding of brand and audience research using data analytics to guide strategy and development for an organization."

    RELI 2210 - Introduction to the study of World Religions
    "Presents a comparative and historical introduction to the world’s ways of being religious."

    RHSC 1100 - Surviving the Zombie Apocalypse: An Interprofessional Approach
    "Provides an interdisciplinary approach to a course-specific theme on the zombie apocalypse while allowing the exploration of personal development, intellectual growth, and what it means to be a college student in a CCRHS major. The course relies on analytical tools from a broad range of disciplines, including literary/film studies, history, philosophy, psychology, and biology, and incorporates the four core competencies of interprofessional education and collaboration: teamwork, communication, roles and responsibilities, and values and ethics."

    RHSC 3750 - Introduction to Technology and Rehabilitation
    "Overviews the framework for assistive technologies, service delivery and funding sources with a focus on the relationship between the human user and the assisted activity within specific contexts to improve quality of life for people with disabilities (including auditory, cognitive, mobility and communication impairments) across the lifespan."

    RHSC 4300 - Measurement and Assessment In Rehabilitation
    "Utilizes the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) guidelines to present a comprehensive survey of assessment tools, emerging technologies, and procedures for assessing rehabilitation and health care interventions and how this information can inform clinical decision-making."

    SALM 3110 - Interpretation of Cultural and Natural Resources
    "This course will focus on the study and practice of interpretative techniques of cultural and natural resources. Emphasis will be placed on the development of skills in designing, producing, and presenting interpretative materials and programs in a recreational setting to all segments of the population. This course will also provide a service-learning project that will involve interaction with a leisure service organization that incorporates interpretation into its activity program."

    SALM 3130 - Natural Resource Management
    "This course will focus on the administration of recreational lands by state and federal agencies with emphasis on management policies and procedures. This course will include service-learning experiences involving travel to and volunteer work with federal and state land management agencies."

    SALM 4102 - Corporate Social Responsibility in Sport and Recreation

    SALM 4957/5957 - Special Topics: Sporting Events and Community Engagement
    "Explores various selected topics in the discipline. Course may be repeated for credit when content changes."

    SCED 3320 - Integrated STEM for Elementary Educators 
    "Provides a comprehensive content perspective of integrated science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in elementary education. The course content is aligned to state and national standards and includes problem-based learning, performance assessment, collaboration, critical thinking, and 21st century skills."

    SOWK 4330 - Practice With Organizations and Communities
    "Provides the general method as a practice framework for beginning social work practice and moves the beginning generalist practitioner to more complex macro systems. Emphasis is placed on the problem-solving techniques of problem identification, research, and data collection, assessment, design and selection of planned change strategies, implementation, and evaluation. Nondiscriminatory practice is reinforced. Students are required to participate in community-based learning experiences that incorporate program planning and development activities. Requires formal admission to the Social Work major."

    SPAN 3020 - Conv and Comp Hispanic Culture
    "Improves Spanish conversation and writing skills, with emphasis on idioms, syntax, dialectical differences in the Spanish-speaking world, and current expressions that provide cultural competency for the student."

    SPAN 3123 - Intro to Translation and Interpretation
    "Teaches basic translation and interpretation skills through an interdisciplinary approach. Grammar-based written exercises as well as English/Spanish and Spanish/English translations from various professional fields are assigned and corrected in class, and are used for interpreting activities. A ten- (10-) hour service-learning requirement involves students in a project that promotes cordial, supportive, and meaningful relationships between Spanish-speaking and English-speaking community members."

    SPAN 3133 - Intro to Latinx Studies
    "Introduces Latinx studies with a focus on disambiguation of terms, Hispanic, Latino, Latinx, Chicanx etc,. as well as Latinx identity in the US context in literature, art, culture, society etc. A community-based course that provides knowledge and skills to effectively interact with members of Spanish-speaking communities in both social and professional contexts. Finally, this course teaches cultural competence and diversity through an interdisciplinary approach involving students and faculty in the promotion of cordial, supportive, and meaningful relationships between Latinx immigrants, their heritage, and native Appalachia community members."

    SPAN 4167 - Spanish for Law and Business
    "Studies different aspects of the relationship between Law and Business professionals and the Spanish language by providing linguistic and cultural skills."

    SPED 2300 - Exceptional Learners
    "The course provides a survey of various disabilities, focusing on history, legislation, diversity, causes, characteristics, needs, educational strategies, interventions, technologies, assessment, and support services for individuals with disabilities and families."

    SPED 3322 - Early Intervention Strategies for the Exceptional Child
    "A lecture course designed to relate child development to the social, educational and familial needs of the child with disabilities. This course will cover the various characteristics of young children with special needs and their families, across and within classification. Particular emphasis will focus on how these traits impact on the child’s developmental rate, abilities, and sequence. Some intervention strategies will be covered. A field experience in an early childhood program will be required."

    SPLP 5015 - Language Disorders in Children
    "A study of principles of language assessment and intervention based upon psycholinguistic theory and current research on language disorders in children. Emphasis placed on the development of critical thinking and analytical skills related to the assessment and treatment of language disorders in children."

    SPLP 5250 - Autism Spectrum Disorder
    "A study of the characteristics, identification, evaluation, and treatment of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders. The course addresses the communication challenges of this population, considering associated sensory, social, physical, and motor needs. Discussion of assessment and intervention includes specific methodologies, collaboration with caregivers and teachers, and the influence of environment. Critical thinking and analytical skills are emphasized.

    SRVL 1020 - Intro to Service-Learning
    "This course allows the student to study the role of the volunteer and to be involved in service and learning in area agencies in order to provide a bridge between the campus and community populations. Integral components of class time include critical thinking, reflective practices as related to service, and honing the caring capacity of the individual. Requires a 30-hour individual service placement and a group project."

    THEA 3410 - Physical Theatre 2 - Modern Clowning/Acting Comedy and Character
    "Explores the development of comedic performances through movement, improvisation, and clowning."


Other Opportunities

 

  • Community Engagement Showcase

    The Community Engagement Showcase is a new opportunity for undergraduate students to share their Community-Engaged Learning projects and experiences with the ETSU community. 

    Learn more and share your experience here

  • Undergraduate Research

    A plethora of research opportunities present themselves to students at ETSU looking to expand their learning, deepen our understanding of important issues, and make a positive impact on the community. Funding for projects is attainable through a variety of scholarships, grants, fellowships, and work position.

    Learn more here

  • Changemaker Scholars Program

    This program aids in the development of students seeking the knowledge and tools needed to participate in and promote positive change in their communities. The program takes a collaborative and creative approach to solving social problems and community issues.

    Learn more here