Wintermester Courses

Leadership & Innovation at Disney

PPS 1100-01, 1 hour, January 2-7, 2025

Instructor: Jeremy Vickers, Baylor External Affairs

This course provides an unforgettable winter experience that blends leadership development, community service, and the magic of Disney! Instructor Permission Required

Spring Courses

Poverty in Waco

PPS 1100-01 & 1100-02, 1 hour, Wednesdays, 12:20-1:10pm & 1:25-2:15 PM

Instructor: Josh Caballero, Community Engagement Officer, City of Waco

This course is designed to provide students with a basic understanding of the causes and consequences of poverty in Waco and determine ways students can become more civically engaged. Students will learn from a variety of experts and Waco specific studies about the impact of poverty and its intersection with the sectors of employment, education, health, and community development. Students will also get a firsthand glimpse into the challenges facing those experiencing poverty in Waco through 20 hours of volunteer service over the course of the semester. 

Law and Public Service

PPS 1100-03, 1 hour, Wednesdays, 2:30-3:20

Instructor: Kent McKeever, Founder of Greater Waco Legal Services

In addition to one weekly classroom hour devoted to the public service aspect of the legal profession, students will engage the local legal community and various manifestations of law and public service outside the classroom. Whether
students are considering a career in law or not, all those interested in how the legal profession partners with those working in other public service roles and intersects with other vital social systems and professional endeavors will find this course engaging, edifying, and equipping. Students will hone and develop thinking, collaboration, and advocacy skills through their work inside and outside the classroom.

Community Gardening

PPS 1100-5 & 1100-6, 1 hour, Thursdays, 12:30-1:20 PM & 2:00-2:50 PM

Instructor: Doug Nesmith, Lab Coordinator, Baylor Environmental Science

In this course students learn the value of community gardens in schools and urban areas.  Through volunteerism, students will learn how community gardens provide fresh produce as well as neighborhood improvement, sense of community and connection to the environment.

Housing Insecurity & Nonprofit Solutions

PPS 1100-7, 1 hour, Thursdays, 2:00-2:50pm

Instructor: John Alexander, Executive Director, Waco Habitat for Humanity

This course is designed to introduce students to ideas and methods of community service in the specific area of residential housing/construction. Conceptual differences between public and private sector housing initiatives are discussed with emphasis on the historical development of Habitat for Humanity as an ecumenical Christian, non-governmental organization (NGO). The philosophy behind this organization and details of its history are discussed in depth. Students participate in Habitat projects and learn first-hand the importance of community service, contributing 20 total hours of work time during the semester.

Urban Farmers Markets

PPS 1100-08, 1 hour, Tuesdays, 2:00-2:50pm

Instructor: Bethel Erickson, Director, Waco Downtown Farmers Market

This course explores the connection between small business and the local food and farming community - through the operation of an alternative marketplace. Students will learn how the Waco Downtown Farmers Market addresses food access, supports entrepreneurship, and builds community by engaging in weekly discussions and readings that investigate the various parts of the food system. Students will also spend 10 hours outside of the classroom volunteering with the farmers market or market vendors. 

Advocacy for Children and Families

PPS 1100-09, 1 hour, Fridays, 12:20-1:10pm

Instructor: Dr. Kerry Burkley, Program Director, Children’s Advocacy Center

Students in this course discuss the specific impact of how trauma affects individuals and how a ministry of hope increases the likelihood of generating a “new normal” in which a family can survive and thrive.  

Trauma Advocacy 

PPS 1100-10, 1 hour, Fridays, 1:25-2:15pm

Instructor: Dr. Kerry Burkley, Program Director, Children’s Advocacy Center

This course engages students in becoming informed leaders and community responders, and in becoming advocates for the protection of those affected by child abuse.  

Accompanying Immigrants in Waco

PPS 1100-11, 1 hour, Tuesdays, 3:30-4:20 pm

Instructor: Israel Loachamín, Executive Director, La Puerta Waco

This course is designed to provide students with a basic understanding of the journey of a Spanish-speaking immigrant in Waco to develop an awareness of the unique and rich community that the U.S. has. Students will explore the journey of a Spanish-speaking immigrant through reading, journaling, volunteering with La Puerta, and class discussions.

Transforming Child Poverty

PPS 1100-13 & 1100-14, 1 hour, Mondays, 10:10-11:00 AM & 11:15 AM-12:05 PM

Instructor: Sarah Pedrotti, Transformation Waco

Working with Transformation Waco, this course explores the consequences of child poverty in Waco and attends to the role cross-sector collaboration, community schools, and wrap-around services play in mitigating disadvantage.  

Community Data and Research

PPS 1100-15, 1 hour, Mondays, 5:30-6:20 PM

Instructor: Jeremy Rhodes,  Senior Director of Data & Research, Prosper Waco

Engaging and partnering with community members and entities in research, sometimes in the form of research practice partnership, can be a powerful mechanism for ensuring  research and data is appropriately situated within the context and utilized for social change. Students will learn how to apply research methods and data analysis to local organizations focused on social impact. Partnering with Prosper Waco, students will implement a community-engaged research project.

Family Community Medicine

PPS 1100-18, 1 hour, Wednesdays, 9:05-9:55 AM

Instructor: Dr. Michael Boone, Waco Family Medicine

Students in this course discuss primary care family medicine for disadvantaged communities and volunteer weekly in clinics at Waco Family Medicine.

Learning for the World

PPS 1101 (5 sections), 1 hour, Tuesdays, 2:00-2:50 PM

Instructors: Tammy Adair, Guilherme Almeida, Mona Choucair, Jennifer Good, and Molly Simpson, Baylor Office of Engaged Learning

Focuses on pathways to excellence in scholarship and citizenship for students, enabling them to connect their transformational work in the classroom to opportunities for immersion, application, and engagement. Students will work with local nonprofits to learn how to address persistent community needs and challenges.

Community Law Enforcement

PPS 1102-01, 1 hour, Wednesdays, 10:10-11:00am

Instructor: Robert Lanning, Assistant Police Chief, Waco Police Department

This course provides students an opportunity to interact with and listen to federal, state, county, and municipal government officials and understand how they function. The students are exposed to 12-14 guest lectures from all areas mentioned. The focus is on management and law enforcement and class discussions are held on hot topics such as racial profiling, use of force, etc. The course involves guest speakers such as federal agents, district attorney representatives, state police, municipal police, county police, S.W.A.T. teams and crime scene experts.

Leadership and Social Change

PPS 2302-01, 3 hours, Tuesdays & Thursdays, 9:30-10:45 AM

Instructor: Leia Duncan, Baylor & Beyond LLC

This course illuminates the theory and practice of leading groups toward positive social change locally and globally, emphasizing issues such as poverty, public education, and systemic inequality. All students will learn from community engagement projects and activities on best practices for leading change. The primary goal for this course is for each
student to think about their role as a contributing global citizen.

Law, Justice, and the Community

PPS 337201, 3 hours, Mondays & Wednesdays, 4:40-5:30 PM

Cross listed with PSC 3372

Instructor: Chris Galeczka, Baylor Law School

Introduction to legal practice. Contains community service component and required internship in legal offices.

Philanthropy and the Public Good

PPS 4310, 3 hours, Wednesdays, 12:20-3:05pm

Cross listed with SOC 4312

Instructors: Andy Hogue & Mark Richards, Baylor Office of Engaged Learning 

This course is designed to provide an understanding of the role of philanthropy in shaping public life and investigate charity’s relationship to power in contemporary social institutions. Students will apply disciplinary knowledge towards stewarding 100,000 dollars to the Waco community in partnership with local social sector organizations.