ORGANIZATION OF ACADEMIC SERVICE-LEARNING IN THE MODERN SYSTEM OF UNIVERSITY EDUCATION OF THE USA

Abstract

Peculiarities of organization of academic service-learning in the modern system of university education in the USA are analyzed in the article. There are specialized offices in the Universities of the USA which are responsible for the organization of academic service-learning programs. For example, «Office of Service-Learning» in the Western Michigan University; «Community Service-Learning Center» in the University of Minnesota; «The Edward Ginsberg Center for Community Service and Learning» in the University of Michigan; «Haas Center for Public Service» in Stanford University, etc. Among the functions of these offices are creating academic service-learning programs in accordance with the curricula of particular disciplines and needs of community; training of pedagogical staff; preparing methodological materials and supporting teachers and students with necessary resources. Thus the role of academic service-learning offices in the Universities of the USA is described in the article. The advantages of implementation of this pedagogical strategy into the curricula of different disciplines are determined. It is important to mention that not only students but also Universities and community organizations benefit from academic service-learning programs. Moreover the notion of international academic service-learning as one of the ways of organization of this pedagogical strategy in the Universities of the USA is studied. The corporation «The International Partnership for Service-Learning and Leadership» offers American students accredited programs abroad (Africa, Asia, Europe, and Southern America). Investigation of different aspects of academic service-learning attracts more and more attention and is a subject of research not only American but also European scientists. The results of such investigations are discussed at National and International conferences and published in Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning, Journal of Service-Learning in Higher Education, etc.