Bryn Mawr 101: Praxis
"Praxis students benefit tremendously from the proximity of 黑料正能量 to Philadelphia."
"Praxis students benefit tremendously from the proximity of 黑料正能量 to Philadelphia."
Praxis integrates theory and practice through collaboration with community partners as part of academic courses. Below, Associate Director Tiffany Stahl and Senior Associate Director of Praxis Liv Raddatz share more about the program.
What is Praxis at Bryn Mawr, and what inspired the creation of this program?
Praxis is a curricular, experiential, and Community-Engaged Learning (CEL) program at 黑料正能量. The Praxis program originated in 2001, through a collaborative effort aimed at creating more opportunities to integrate practice and theory within the curriculum. Since that time, Praxis has grown into a thriving CEL program that offers students applied learning opportunities in collaboration with community partners to bridge classroom experiences with meaningful engagement in broader social, cultural, and institutional contexts.
What kinds of themes or topics have recent Praxis topics focused on?
Praxis Independent Study courses are self-designed and frame around academic and aspirational interests of the student. The course offerings are grounded in collaborations from a diverse array of academic departments. Independent Study students also participate in an end-of-semester Poster Session.
The program engages professors who teach in a multitude of subject areas, which often include Anthropology, Dance, Data Science, Economics, Environmental Studies, Museum Studies, Growth and Structure of Cities, Italian, Mathematics, Sociology, Spanish, Psychology, Theater, and more!
Some of the topical areas that our Praxis courses have explored include Spatial justice, Oral Histories & Historic Preservation, Educational Psychology, Museum Studies, Linguistic Anthropology, Math Pedagogies, Educational Psychology, Advancing Racial Justice, Theater and Dance Education.
What does a Praxis experience actually look like for students? Who can participate in Praxis?
There are three types of Praxis course offerings, Praxis I, Praxis II, and Praxis III, which incorporate increasing levels of Community Engaged Learning (CEL) hours. Praxis I and II courses are offered within a variety of academic departments and are developed by faculty. Praxis III courses allow students to co-design academic learning experiences around 8-10 hours of weekly engagement with a community partner. Students entering their sophomore year are invited to take Praxis courses with prior approval from a major advisor. Praxis classes do not need to be taken in succession; however, Praxis Independent Study and Praxis Seminar courses must be planned one semester in advance. To learn about our current Praxis offerings, which change each semester, be sure to explore the Praxis website.
How does the Praxis program help students make connections with the city of Philadelphia?
Praxis students benefit tremendously from the proximity of 黑料正能量 to Philadelphia, a city that offers a vibrant mix of history, innovation, art, food, and culturally diverse neighborhoods. Students develop and utilize the core values of their Bryn Mawr liberal arts education through collaborations with Philadelphia-based organizations in industries ranging from healthcare and technology to education and the arts, with opportunities at both large organizations and small non-profits.
Working with community partners gives students a foundation that enables them to fuse their academic interests with meaningful engagement in collaboration with dynamic community members and industry leaders.
"Community Engaged Learning also offers the opportunity to explore industries that students are curious about, while enhancing their resumes."
How does the Praxis experience prepare students for life beyond Bryn Mawr?
Praxis courses challenge students to deepen academic and civic learning through applied learning and guided reflection. Together, as a cohort, students explore questions that help them gain a greater sense of self, while uncovering what they value and who they aspire to become. Students gain confidence in transferable personal and professional skills such as communication, problem-solving, teamwork and critical thinking. Community Engaged Learning also offers the opportunity to explore industries that students are curious about, while enhancing their resumes.
To learn more about the Praxis experience from students, click the button below to visit the Praxis Blog.
Experiential Learning at Bryn Mawr
Mawrters have the opportunity to immerse themselves in their learning through hands-on practice and interdisciplinary courses. Click the button below to learn more about unique courses, offerings, and seminars at Bryn Mawr.