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CEL- 1/Race and Power Requirements

Community-Engaged Learning (CEL-1)

The Community Engaged Learning (CEL-1) requirement in Division I enables first-year students to participate in campus life in meaningful ways that foster the development of skills that allow for healthy communication and collaboration. It includes building an understanding of issues of race and power in order to prepare students to take part in active community-building. Not only are these skills important for becoming part of the Hampshire community, they also prepare students to pursue other out-of-classroom learning activities, which can affect their educational path and enrich their experience at Hampshire.

Community Engaged Learning (CEL-1) must total a minimum of 40 hours. Of these, 10 must focus on race and power and the other 30 can be a combination of community education and activities (e.g. clubs, Learning Collaborative projects and programs, OPRA courses, assisting on Div II and III projects, etc.). The student will document the fulfillment of CEL-1 and reflect on both community education and campus activities.

CEL-1 activities should help with any or all of the following goals:

  • Learn about and engage with the campus community
  • Further develop skills for working with others, including collaborative and communication skills
  • Reflect on their own racial identity and positionality within local and global contexts and its impact on others

Race and Power Requirement

Race and Power is one of five through lines of Hampshire College’s academic program.  It reflects the College’s commitment to anti-racism and is incorporated throughout each divisional level.  At each divisional level, there are multiple ways to satisfy the requirement, including coursework, project-based work, service and field study.  To utilize independent, service and project-based work to satisfy the Race and Power Requirement, students must submit a proposal to the Race and Power Committee for review and approval.  The Race and Power requirement provides students with tools for developing a sustained engagement with historical and contemporary conceptions of race and opportunities to deepen their understanding of processes of racialization in both local and global contexts.