Decide whether service learning will be optional or required. If optional, decide what the non-service learning alternative will be. Ensure that the two options are roughly equivalent in terms of time and effort.
List the course's learning objectives. Identify the ones you associate most strongly with service learning. How do you think service learning will contribute to students' achievement of these learning objectives? Rephrase one or two learning objectives to make specific reference to service learning and its role. Include these objectives on your syllabus. At least one specific service learning objective is required for all service learning courses and will be included on the course webpage.
Decide how much time students will be expected to spend on service learning. Consider the overall workload for the class and factor service learning time into this total. Time commitment should be proportional to grading weight. Students are eligible for transcript notations if they document 15 hours of time and effort on a service learning course in a semester.