Social Issues, Social Action offers two Decal courses one focused on Southwest Berkeley and the other on Lower San Antonio-Fruitvale in Oakland. The courses are innovative service-learning opportunities for students interested in expanding their education through social action and awareness. Through weekly seminars and readings, the courses introduce civic participation in an academic context by providing reflection sessions, films, guest speakers, and student presentations about prominent social issues.

Additionally, students will engage with local public service agencies through volunteer placements and a weekend service project. Students may choose placements from a variety of service fields including youth/education issues, homelessness, the environment, and public health. Students are encouraged to choose a placement from a list created by student course facilitators.

These courses provide an excellent opportunity to add valuable extracurricular, service-based experience to your resume in preparation for your future in various careers and/or graduate/professional schools, in addition to providing connections to the greater Bay Area community.

For details on Social Issues, Social Action: Southwest Berkeley contact Matt and Kat

For more information about Social Issues, Social Action: Lower San Antonio-Fruitvale, Contact Catherine and Tatiana.

View a copy of the Spring 2007 Syllabus.

Alternative Breaks Program
Alternative Breaks is a national movement engaging students in service projects during their breaks from school. The Cal Corps program provides opportunities throughout the year for students to get out and serve for as long as a week or as little as a weekend. Trips are designed and led by student team leaders, and participating students prepare for their trips in a Decal course where they learn about the issues they will encounter. Find out more about the Alternative Breaks Program.

Bonner Leaders Program
Bonner Leader is a yearlong leadership development program that places Cal students in servant-leadership internships within Cal Corps, in the residence halls, in campus offices, and with community partners. As part of their internship, Bonner Leaders take part in a year-long course focused on practical leadership skills and social issues. Find out more about the Bonner Leaders program.

Cal in Berkeley/Cal in Oakland and Cal in the Capital Internship Programs
All of the students in Cal Corps internship programs also participate in a corresponding Decal class. Find out more about Cal Corps internship programs.

Bears United in Literacy Development
BUILD is a literacy program throughout Berkeley and the East Bay that trains Cal students to serve as literacy tutors to elementary and middle school-aged youth. Participating tutors may receive credit towards a minor in Education for their participation in trainings. Find out more about BUILD.

Other Service-Learning Courses at Cal
Click here to search all service learning courses offered at UC-Berkeley.