University of South Carolina faculty, staff and students are actively engaged in the
community and committed to positive change in our world. The university categorizes
community engagement based on the roles our faculty and students play in the activity.
Community-Based Research
Research is performed in the community; however, members in the community are not
involved in the design of the research project. Community members may participate
as subjects. The primary purpose of community-based scholarship is to contribute to
the knowledge base. Results are made available to the public in order to document
its overall impact. The general rules for establishing quality of scholarship apply
(e.g., peer review, significance, possibility of replication).
Example: A faculty member approaches community members to participate as subjects in a research
project where they must read a story while an MRI is conducted to ascertain brain
activity.
Community-Engaged Scholarship
Research in this category requires partnership development, cooperation, negotiation,
collaboration with community partners and a commitment to addressing local issues.
It is conducted with and in full collaboration with members of the community. The
primary purpose of community-engaged scholarship is to contribute to the knowledge
base. Results are made available to the public in order to document its overall impact.
The general rules for establishing quality of scholarship apply (e.g., peer review,
significance, possibility of replication).
Example: A rural community health agency and community participants work hand in hand with
university faculty and students from the health sciences area to effectively deal
with specific issues related to health disparities in that community. The overall
focus and intent would be to use proven research methods to document the efficiency,
efficacy and impact of that collaboration.
Community-Engaged Teaching and Learning
This category encompasses community engagement that connects students and faculty
with activities that address community-identified needs through mutually beneficial
partnerships that deepen students' academic and civic learning.
Examples: Service learning courses, field experiences, work study or service learning clinical
practicums
Outreach, Service and Volunteerism
These activities primarily use university resources and professional expertise to
provide assistance to a community, agency or individual(s) based upon needs expressed
by that community, agency or individual(s). In this category, the university primarily
provides one-way activity, such as communication and service provision, to an external
party. This category includes outreach involving students under the direct supervision
of a faculty member.
Examples: Health fairs, public lectures, music concerts or volunteering
Civic Learning
These activities prepare students, faculty, staff, and community to understand and
engage in ways that address critical community issues and contribute to community/public
good by providing practical experience with community.
Examples: Electoral education and participation (such as voter information, education, registration,
polling site(s); meetings with elected officials; Constitution Day); Issue awareness
and advocacy training (such as Carolina Day at the State House); Civic awards to students,
faculty and staff, or the community.
Challenge the conventional. Create the exceptional. No Limits.