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STUDENT PROJECTS

Overview

Video in the Community teaches students to apply their production, leadership and problem-solving skills in the real world while at the same time provides quality videos for nonprofit organizations that had previously found video services out of their reach. Community organizations partner with students to produce short videos for fundraising, public awareness, media literacy, education, marketing, and advocacy. Since 2003, college students enrolled in the VIC courses or working as VIC interns have produced over thirty videos in collaboration with non-profit organizations. In exchange for this product, community partners become teachers, providing their knowledge of the subject and professional guidance to the students under the instructor’s executive management of the project.

Potential partners can contact VIC directly, or through the California State University, San Marcos’ Office of Community Service Learning (OCSL) which plays a key role in helping to create initial partnerships. OCSL promotes the development of partnerships between CSUSM faculty and community agencies that produce significant interaction and dialogue. Students in the VIC course participate in service learning which is a “strategy that integrates meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach civic responsibility, and strengthen communities." As a result of VIC’s service learning orientation, students develop cross-cultural awareness, are more committed to using their skills to benefit others, and feel more confident that they can effect positive change. VIC supports students beyond the course in their continued social justice goals through providing internship support and paid positions after graduation.

  • “Video in the Community is nothing short of inspiring,” reflected student Lauren Radel. “It’s given me a perspective that I would never have experienced in a traditional classroom setting and enabled me to use my passion for art to empower positive change.”