SLE 2014 - workshop on Service-learning Education

Since the establishment of Chung Yuan Christian University Landscape Architecture Department (CYLA) in 2004, we have devoted great efforts in a combination of service-learning and participatory design in the design studio curriculum, which is the key feature of teaching that makes CYLA different from other Taiwan’s higher-education. Basically, the framework of the curriculum includes an introductory level for junior undergraduate students (which is called the Big Tree Classroom) and an advanced level for senior undergraduate and master students. Until now, the venues of implementing service-learning and participatory design have involved different areas of Chung Yuan Christian University (CYCU) campus, local communities and an elementary school. Although CYLA has a relatively short history, there are some valuable experiences worth sharing. The workshop is a very good opportunity to discuss CYLA practice and, more importantly, to learn international examples in service-learning education from participants. The workshop will be part of our advanced level service-learning activities.
The workshop is scheduled for three days, from 14 March to 16 March 2014, at CYCU campus and in Pingzhen Hakka village. Pingzhen Hakka village is a traditional rural Hakka human settlement with a number of “san-ho-yuan” (a central building with two wings attached perpendicular to either side), local Buddhist temples and water systems (including ponds, agricultural dykes and natural waterways). The diverse features of cultural landscape make this Hakka village unique. In terms of the program of the workshop, we will have a welcome lunch, present CYLA introductory level service-learning education and visit CYCU campus on the first day; present CYLA advanced level service-learning education and conduct service-learning activities, followed by a Hakka style dinner, in Pingzhen Hakka village on the second day; discuss international service-learning education examples (paper presentations) on the last day. We expect participants, who are teaching or implementing service-learning combined with participatory design, to join the workshop and share experiences with us. We hope the workshop might inform future discussions on service-learning and participatory design in higher-education curriculum development.
Call for papers:
The workshop welcomes submissions of articles, essays or reflective pieces on service-learning and participatory design from various points of view: students, faculty and members of community organizations, non-profit organizations and government agencies. Papers may focus on studies, theory, practice, interdisciplinary collaboration and school-community partnerships as they apply to the topic of the workshop.
Organizers:
Yu, Chao-Ching
Dean, College of Design
Professor, Department of Landscape Architecture, Chung Yuan Christian University
Email: chaocyu-AT-ms26.hinet.net
Chang, Hua-Sun
Chair, Department of Landscape Architecture
Associate Professor, Department of Landscape Architecture, Chung Yuan Christian University
Email: huasun-AT-cycu.edu.tw
Chou, Rung-Jiun
Assistant Professor, Department of Landscape Architecture, Chung Yuan Christian University
Email: rungjiun-AT-gmail.com
Contact persons:
Ms. Chien, Yu-Wen
Email: yuwen0630-AT-gmail.com
Ms. Peng, Hsiang-Ling
Email: miss751130-AT-gmail.com