• Is service rooted in and intrinsically linked to teaching and research.

• Encompasses problem-oriented research and teaching and service learning emphasizing student and faculty reflection on the service experience.
  

• Aims to bring about structural community improvement including effective public schools, neighborhood development, and community organizations. 

• Reaffirms Ben Franklin’s belief that: “The great Aim and End of all Learning…” is service to society.

Over 150 Academically Based Community Service (ABCS) courses from diverse schools and disciplines across the University have engaged in work in West Philadelphia through the Barbara and Edward Netter Center for Community Partnerships.  ABCS courses involve hands-on, real-world problem solving and help students become active, participating citizens of a democratic society. 

ABCS is rooted in and intrinsically linked to teaching and research and promotes student and faculty reflection on the service experience.  ABCS is committed to linking theory and practice through activities that make a significant difference in the community of West Philadelphia and at Penn.  Through their work with West Philadelphia public schools, communities of faith and community organizations, ABCS faculty and students work to solve critical community issues in a variety of areas, such as the environment, health, arts and education.  

During the 2004-2005 academic year, 2,118 ABCS students were involved in 46 undergraduate courses across 19 departments and 16 graduate courses involving 8 of the professional schools.  Here's what our students and faculty had to say:

“The chance to solve real problems, meet like-minded people, and use my learning in a practical way helped develop my intellectual passions.  I learned much more from solving problems collaboratively than I have learned in many of my regular courses.”

-ABCS Student

“My ABCS courses have taught me to approach problems and societal issues in a way that not only helps me break them down into manageable pieces…but also challenges me to think about what can be done to solve them.  My experiences in ABCS have empowered me to pursue positive change and have given me the tools to be effective in doing so.”

-ABCS Student

“The Penn students become more concerned with the problems that afflict our world – and they get a better set of tools to help solve those problems.  We don’t just do a project and move on.  We remain involved with the community on an ongoing basis.”

-Frank Johnston, Anthropology Professor