“You Teach What?”: Using Community-Engaged Learning to Support Community Cats

• In Event: 20461 - Teaching and Learning Symposium Roundtable Session
  In Refereed Roundtable (90 minute): Table 4: Teaching with Films, Games, & Community Engagement

Abstract

This presentation focuses on a creating a community-engaged course from scratch! We begin by exploring recent work by cat behaviorists, cat design experts, and cat rescuers who, over the past decade, have completely transformed the ways we care for cats, both those in our homes and in the larger community. Drawing on my past ten years of teaching community-engaged courses building on their work, I will share my experiences designing, creating, and implementing a course that uses community-engaged learning to support community cats. This process includes designing a curriculum proposal, coordinating with local organizations, and creating meaningful projects that support student learning and benefit local communities. While my course focuses on understanding and working on behalf of community cats, this presentation will be relevant for any faculty who are working on developing and revising their community-engaged courses.

Author

• Kristjane Nordmeyer, Westminster University