Indianapolis Community Requirement (ICR)
The Indianapolis Community Requirement (ICR) is a Core Curriculum requirement that involves students in a wide range of reciprocal community partnerships wherein they can integrate classroom knowledge with active experiences in the Indianapolis community. All Butler students entering in fall 2010 or later must complete at least one ICR course before graduation. The ICR can be satisfied through designated courses in the core curriculum, in the student’s major, or taken as electives.
The service-learning pedagogy (academic learning linked to relevant community service) provides one model for ICR courses, but courses based on models from the SENCER (Science Education for New Civic Engagements and Responsibilities) project or the Critical Listening initiative of the CCC can also satisfy the ICR.
Important COVID-19 Regulations
In order to protect the health of students, staff, faculty, and community partners, ICR-related coursework has been restructured and the majority of community-based experiences in fall 2020 will be virtual rather than face-to-face. Students who complete ICR work as defined in their respective course syllabus will earn credit for the ICR. Where ICR coursework involves face-to-face engagement, students should be especially vigilant about the health of all involved. Students must follow all Butler University guidelines for health and safety, including wearing masks and physical/social distancing, whether on- or off-campus. If a host site has more stringent precautions, Butler students are expected to comply with these precautions.
Benefits of the ICR Approach
The ICR involves all participants-students, faculty, staff, and community members alike in the learning process.
ICR courses can accelerate the process whereby students master the skills of their respective disciplines, enhance their understanding of personal and social responsibility, develop intercultural competencies, and foster civic mindedness. The ICR:
- Reinforces skills learned in the classroom and demonstrates the relevance of academic work for their personal and professional development.
- Broadens cultural competency and increases awareness of current societal issues as they relate to academic areas of interest.
- Improves interpersonal skills.
- Promotes student development and civic responsibility.
- Widens networks and affiliations within the Indianapolis community for references, internships, and job placement.
- Furthers independent learning and problem-solving skills.
If you are a student and interested in enrolling in an ICR course, please read the FAQ on the For Students page for more details.
For faculty and staff teaching these courses, the ICR:
- Strengthens students’ grasp of disciplinary competencies.
- Provides an opportunity for innovative approaches to instruction that accommodate multiple learning styles.
- Enhances quality of courses through more lively class discussion and student participation.
- Creates new opportunities for faculty growth, research, scholarship, and publication and increases opportunities for professional recognition and reward.
- Supports Butler University’s commitment to service.
For faculty and staff interested in creating an ICR course, please go to this website for course proposal forms and detailed guidelines.
Within the community, the ICR:
- Augments reciprocal partnerships within the Indianapolis community that build on the assets of university students and community members alike.
- Furnishes access to relevant university resources to meet community needs.
- Offers opportunity for families, children, and community-based organizations to foster today’s generation to become tomorrow’s volunteers and civic leaders.
If you are a community member interested in developing a partnership, please read our Community page.