What would you say about a curriculum that allows first year students to do graduate-level fieldwork through the law school, while taking classes on gentrification? Or what about a course on how to make documentaries in which the final project is a video that neighborhood organizations get to keep and use for outreach and fundraising? Too good to be true? Well, think again.

Welcome to the Community Learning Initiative! The Community Learning Initiative bridges the gap between the classroom and the outside world by creating innovative partnerships with community-based organizations, groups and individuals, in addressing real-world problems and implementing practical solutions.

Our goal is to push the envelope on what rigorous classroom discussion and community/university partnerships look like. We want to bring together the best of what community mapping, experiential learning, participatory action research and grassroots organizing has to offer.

We are always looking for ideas and opportunities to make students’ experiences at NYU truly exceptional, and one of a kind. So if you have suggestions about possible community projects to work on, or simply want to find out more about community learning at Gallatin, please contact us. We definitely want to hear from you.

All the best,
René Francisco Poitevin
On behalf of the Community Learning Initiative